More survivors tipped to speak up in wake of George Pell’s guilty verdict

A Hobart lawyer expects the guilty verdict handed down to Cardinal George Pell will motivate more Tasmanian survivors of institutional and sexual abuse to come forward.

Tasmanian child abuse survivor Steven Fisher. Picture: PATRICK BILLINGS

A HOBART lawyer expects the guilty verdict handed down to Cardinal George Pell will motivate more Tasmanian survivors of institutional and sexual abuse to come forward.

Solicitor Sebastian Buscemi, of Angela Sdrinis Legal, said more than 200 alleged victims in the state have sought advice from his firm in the past year — a figure he believes is just the “tip of the iceberg”.

“I have no doubt more people will come forward,” he said. “For someone of that calibre to be charged and convicted is a major milestone and a sign of how far the justice system and society have come since the royal commission.

“Tasmania Police has also started pursuing matters of child sexual abuse with a degree of vigour in the past few years, which is really encouraging.”

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Angela Sdrinis Legal pursues civil and redress claims for victims of abuse against individuals and institutions. Mr Buscemi said survivors of historic child sexual abuse often can’t make criminal complaints because the perpetrator has died.

Cardinal George Pell. Picture: AAP

Tasmanian sexual abuse survivor Steve Fisher, who started victim advocacy and support group Beyond Abuse, praised the “gutsy” work of Victoria Police and public prosecutions.

“It’s a red-letter day for abuse survivors,” he said.

“I’m glad the suppression order has been lifted and the public can see exactly what sort of man Pell is.

“It shows any perpetrator that they’re no longer safe. To have one of the most powerful Catholic leaders in the world convicted will give survivors confidence going against high-powered clerics in the future.”

Former Catholic priest and Gay with God author Julian Punch. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Mr Fisher, who gave evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, said a custodial sentence was a “no-brainer” in Pell’s case.

Former Catholic priest and Gay with God author Julian Punch, who studied with Pell at Corpus Christi College in Victoria, agreed the church would be hit with a new wave of complaints about senior bishops.

Mr Punch said the findings against Pell would shake the spirituality of those committed to the church and make them question their faith.

“They’re going to be severely challenged by this. Denial can no longer be entertained by people, it’s come to an end,” Mr Punch said.

“Pell oppressed two generations of Catholics with his conservative theology and his treatment of victims of sexual assault has been absolutely appalling.”