AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald
November 20, 2012 15
Phillip Coorey, Jacqueline Maley
VICTIMS of sexual abuse would be able to sue the Catholic Church for compensation as a result of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Child Sexual Abuse, legal experts say.
And any victim of sexual abuse would be able to give evidence, if they wished.
A discussion paper released late on Monday by the commission secretariat says the commission’s findings ”may extend to ensuring that there are no obstacles to the making of claims and that there is sufficient support for victims of abuse in pursuing those claims”.
Presently, the church is classified as an non-legal entity for the purpose of compensation claims, which means victims cannot sue.
The discussion paper, part of the consultation process to establish the terms of reference, has been sent to all state and territory leaders as well as the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, the Greens and the federal independents.
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