Support services inundated since George Pell’s conviction

AUSTRALIA
The Guardian

March 4, 2019

By Melissa Davey

Counsellors say defence of cardinal in the media has been distressing for people affected by child sexual abuse

A specialist counselling service that supports victims of childhood sexual abuse has been inundated with calls since the conviction of Cardinal George Pell, with many survivors saying they have been traumatised by high-profile support for the disgraced prelate.

The president of the Blue Knot Foundation, Cathy Kezelman, said demand for the childhood trauma service spiked when a suppression order lifted on 26 February, revealing Pell was guilty of five charges, including sexually penetrating a 13-year-old choirboy.

“It’s been so challenging, as we’ve had double the normal amount of calls since then,” Kezelman said. “Some people are acutely distressed. The story is playing out in public in such a way that it’s impossible, almost, to avoid it.”

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