Public list of WA child sex abusers needed, says inquiry
Abolishing the word “historical” from rhetoric around child sexual abuse and creating a public list of known abusers would lead to better outcomes for survivors of institutionalised forms of the crime.
A parliamentary committee report, tabled in the West Australian Parliament on Thursday, found resources to support and compensate victims were “wholly inadequate”, with long wait times for overwhelmed services.
Committee chair and Liberal MP David Honey said the state government should make freedom of information requests relating to institutional child abuse easier to access.Credit: Nine News Perth
“There is a high likelihood that we will see increasing numbers of reports … governments and institutions need to make a greater effort,” the report said.
“Whilst government has a sympathetic ear, the lack of reliable data limits their ability to provide appropriate support.”
Among recommendations was having a centralised public list of abusers.
“Institutions should list the identities of known abusers on clearly defined and easily accessible parts of their websites, and [the] state government should build a centrally accessible list,” committee chair and Liberal MP David Honey said.
“All institutions who know that abusers have operated in their institutions should actively reach out to publicise information … to afford other potential victims the opportunity to come forward.”
He said the state government should also develop clear procedures to prioritise freedom of information requests relating to institutional child abuse.
Institutions should list the identities of known abusers on clearly defined and easily accessible parts of their websites
David Honey
He also said as child abuse took more than 20 years to disclose on average, the term “historical”, in relation to it added to the notion that abuse, especially in institutions, is in the past and resolved.
“Perpetrators are still alive, people who covered up the abuse are still alive, and importantly victim/survivors seeking justice are still alive,” he said.
Committee member and Burns Beach MP Mark Folkard took aim at the Christian Brothers, a sect of the Catholic Church, for its failure to contribute to the inquiry.
The committee alleged it sent questions to the Brothers in July to find out how many claims had been lodged against it under the National Redress Scheme, who they were made against and the financial resources of the Brothers to meet the claims.
The committee further alleged the Brothers had failed to show up to scheduled meetings or provide the requested information.
“The actions of the Christian Brothers suggest a deliberate attempt to shield themselves from the consequences of their past action,” Folkard said.
“This is just a profound moral failure.”
The Catholic Dioceses of Western Australia issued a statement on Wednesday, extending an “unreserved apology” to all those who had suffered from abuse at the hands of the clergy and said it “fully supported and responded to all requests for information and data” from the committee.
“Further, detailed written submissions were provided for the Committee’s consideration,” the statement said.
“The Catholic Dioceses of Western Australia acknowledged the release of the Committee’s final report today, and will now take the appropriate time to thoughtfully consider its content and subsequent recommendations.”
The inquiry found the Christian Brothers had “possibly the worst record of abuse in Australia”, and “one of the worst worldwide” with the Royal Commission finding 1135 claims of abuse against them.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, which represents abuse survivors in WA and across the country, welcomed the report.
Lawyer Hugo Seymour said the recommendations would help survivors access justice sooner, and avoid further trauma.
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