Child abuse report reveals a betrayal of trust ‘beyond comprehension’

AUSTRALIA
The Guardian (UK)

David Marr
theguardian.com, Tuesday 12 November 2013

“We have called our report Betrayal of Trust,” said Victorian MP Georgie Crozier as she presented the findings of the parliamentary inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and other non-government organisations.

“Children were betrayed by trusted figures in organisations of high standing and suffered unimaginable harm,” she said.

“Parents of these children experienced a betrayal beyond comprehension. And the community was betrayed by the failure of organisations to protect children in their care.”

The report’s criticism of the Catholic church is unsparing. Its recommendations are radical. If adopted they would strip the Catholic church of its virtual immunity in the courts and compel religious leaders of all faiths to report child abuse to the police.

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