Laws forcing priests to report child abuse passed in Victorian parliament

MELBOURNE (AUSTRAIA)
The Age

September 11, 2019

By Simone Fox Koob and Benita Kolovos

Priests in Victoria will now have to report child abuse if it is revealed to them during confesssion, or face up to three years in prison, after legislation was passed by Parliament last night.

The bill passed the upper house on Tuesday night after last week getting a green light from the Legislative Assembly, with opposition support.

“Today we’ve made Victoria a safer place for children. The special treatment for churches has ended and child abuse must be reported,” Child Protection Minister Luke Donnellan said on Tuesday night.

“I thank all the abuse survivors, their families and advocates who helped us deliver these reforms. We can’t undo the harm to so many children in the past, but this will help ensure it never happens again.”

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