THE actions of clergy, police and government authorities in Ballarat would be scrutinised by a proposed Royal Commission into sexual abuse, under terms of reference given to the Victorian government.
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The wide-ranging terms of reference proposed by Oakleigh MP Ann Barker and given to Attorney-General Robert Clark would see an inquiry into the actions of the Catholic church and religious orders including the Christian Brothers, as well as Victoria Police, the coroner and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
While the terms of reference seen by The Courier would allow the commission to compel witnesses and evidence, a full-scale royal commission could be avoided due to government concerns about potential costs.
A spokesperson for Mr Clark said close consideration was being given to the issue and further announcements would be made as soon as possible.
The calls for an inquiry increased last week with the leaking of a Victoria Police report into 40 suicides by former students of a Ballarat school who had taken their own lives.
Ms Barker, who last year travelled to Ireland to study the response to sexual abuse by Irish religious officials and government, said the response of victims’ group Broken Rites, the Church Towards Healing process for dealing with complaints and its independent chair Mr Peter O’Callaghan, QC should also be considered by an inquiry. The terms of reference include acknowledgement of “the significant dedication and efforts of the clergy and their contribution to our society”, but says abuse by clergy continued to cause loss of life by suicide, damage to victims’ health and trauma in the community.
Broken Rights spokesperson Dr Wayne Chamley said other forms of inquiry, including a coronial report into as many as 40 suicides in Ballarat, were not in the interest of Victorians.
“Broken Rites has written to the premier and the attorney-general requesting that the government initiate a wide-ranging inquiry where the person(s) appointed ... had the powers to discover documents, draw key witnesses from interstate, subpoena and cross-examine witnesses, take evidence “in camera” and make recommendations about possible follow up and criminal investigation by the police.”
Dr Chamley said without these provisions, any inquiry would simply skim the surface.
