David, who suffered extended abuse at the hands of his uncle, notorious pedophile Gerald Ridsdale was himself charged and pleaded guilty over an incident of indecent assault in 1995.

The Courier is aware of these charges and has run several stories on the matter including referring to the abuse last year following May hearings of the Royal Commission.

David’s high profile during the Rome hearings of the Royal Commission has necessarily made him an elevated subject for scrutiny.

The details revealed by a victim, like all victims stories, are appalling and reveal again the terrible resonating damage done by the sexual abuse of children.   

But we are not in the business of undermining evidence or the work of the Royal Commission any more than the circumstances, age or background of the incident in the 1980’s can condone what is a horrible crime.

It is worth noting that David admitted these charges at the time, has never denied them and has expressed a deep regret and recognition of the suffering that as a victim himself he is well placed to understand. 

While it is easy to understand the sense of betrayal some Ballarat victims will feel and questions many people may have at the legitimacy of David to act as a spokesperson for victims, it should also be noted that the new detail does not invalidate the key reason for his submissions to the Royal commission and appearance in Rome; he was a victim of clerical child abuse. 

Some people will argue this invalidates David Ridsdale on everything including the controversial claim Cardinal Pell tried to bribe him.

But The Courier would argue the Cardinal is more than capable of defending himself and has done so in protracted evidence over the mutually confused understanding of this conversation.

More relevant to this incident and far more complex is the issue of recurring abuse, yet another example of the generational damage unleashed on lives. 

Experts argue most victims do not become abusers but at the same time many abusers including Gerald Ridsdale himself claim to have been abused.

Again this is no way a justification but recognition of terrible cyclical damage. 

Moreover the questionable past and veracity of one victim does not invalidate the testimony of the many victims.

That easy reaction smacks of the denial which fostered and exacerbated the grim issue in the first place.

The cause of the victims redress and the need for transparency is and always was bigger than one man.

Ballarat, in its supportive path toward healing and prevention, is well aware of that.