LONDON (ENGLAND)
The Guardian
July 11, 2018
By Melissa Davey
Critics say Victorian government is ‘still putting the church ahead of children’
The Victorian government has been criticised for delaying its decision on whether to abolish the seal of confessional for disclosures of child sexual abuse, in its response to the recommendations of the royal commission.
On Wednesday the state government issued its response to the royal commission’s 409 recommendations, 317 of which apply to Victoria. The state’s attorney general, Martin Pakula, said the government had accepted 128 recommendations, accepted 165 recommendations in principle, and would need to further consider another 24.
Abolishing the seal of confessional for any disclosures of child sexual abuse was one of those recommendations still under consideration, Pakula told ABC radio.
“It needs a degree of national agreement,” he said.
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