The Catholic dioceses of Western Australia – Perth, Bunbury, Geraldton and Broome – yesterday issued a joint statement, acknowledging the release of a state parliamentary committee report on support for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.
“The Catholic Dioceses of Western Australia extend their heartfelt and unreserved apology to all those who have suffered the horror of sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy and lay Church workers,” the statement read.
“The four dioceses acknowledge the life-long harm and impact of child sexual abuse on victims and survivors perpetrated by people they trusted within the Church.
“The protection of children remains the highest priority for the Catholic dioceses of Western Australia.”
The WA Community Development and Justice Standing Committee handed down its final report yesterday after examining the support available to survivors of institutional child abuse, ABC News reports.
The report made 21 recommendations, including that all parties accept that more needs to be done to provide justice to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.
“It is very apparent that the resources that have been allocated to support and compensate victims of abuse are wholly inadequate,” committee chair David Honey said.
The inquiry found the use of the term “historical” in relation to child sexual abuse contributed to the notion that it is an issue of the past, and recommended it no longer be used.
It also recommended the names of known child abusers should be published prominently on church websites and the WA Government should create a centrally accessible list of all known perpetrators.
In the statement, the diocese said they will now “take the appropriate time to thoughtfully consider” the final report and subsequent recommendations.
“Accordingly, before being afforded the necessary opportunity to do so, the Catholic Dioceses of Western Australia will make no further comment on the Inquiry or its report at this time.”
FULL STORY
A Joint Statement from the Catholic Dioceses of Western Australia (Perth Archdiocese)
Identities of abusers should be listed on church websites, WA child sexual abuse inquiry finds (By Daryna Zadvirna and Nicolas Perpitch, ABC News)
RELATED COVERAGE
Public list of WA child sex abusers needed, says inquiry (WA Today)
