Historical Abuse Network News Archive

News and Media Releases Pope apology vital to help survivors of church abuse A full apology to people abused by Catholic Church clergy, employees and lay people would be a significant part of healing says Esther Centre advocate and coordinator Karyn Walsh. Read more. Posted: 8-7-2008 Papal visit: should the Pope say sorry for church sex abuse? WORLD Youth Day organisers have privately urged the Pope to issue an apology to victims of church sex abuse. Read more. Posted: 7-7-2008 Redress Scheme WA Redress WA is designed to help people move forward with their lives by providing a public acknowledgement of the abuse and an apology from the State Government, access to support services such as psychological and financial counselling, help with the redress application process and an ex gratia payment. Read more. Last Modified: 30-9-2008 Bishop Geoffrey Robinson Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church is now in its fourth reprint! The book has been published in the UK and in Spanish Read more. Last Modified: 7-8-2008 Government apology on state wards includes churches On behalf of the South Australian government and churches, Premier Mike Rann formally apologised in parliament yesterday to state wards who were sexually abused. Read more. Posted: 19-6-2008 Financial Tips and Safety Checks This Australian Government site offers good advice on financial matters. Read more. Last Modified: 4-11-2008 Lotus Place response to article in The Courier Mail Karyn Walsh responds to article in The Courier Mail Read more. Last Modified: 3-4-2008 Church shares blame with state ADELAIDE'S Anglican diocese yesterday shared the blame with the South Australian Government in failing to protect children in state care from sexual predators. Read more. Last Modified: 28-5-2008 Welcome to the website of the Alliance for Forgotten Australians (AFA). AFA is an alliance of existing groups and individuals supporting people who were raised in institutional care in Australia in the 20th century. Its aim is to promote the needs of Forgotten Australians through cooperative advocacy and projects Read more. Last Modified: 4-11-2008 Sex abuse victims seek independent inquiry into payouts A lobby group of victims of sexual abuse at the hands of clergy have demanded the Victorian government establish an independent justice commission into the crimes. Read more. Posted: 17-1-2008 Doctors want election spotlight on Indigenous intervention A peak Indigenous health body wants the intervention in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory to be a major priority in the lead-up to the federal election Read more. Posted: 9-10-2007 Revisiting the darkest hours A Sydney bishop who became an advocate for church sex abuse victims has revealed his own abuse by a stranger. Linda Morris reports. Read more. Last Modified: 19-9-2007 Recognition and Remembrance Ceremony A ceremony on Wednesday September 5 which honoured the victims of child abuse, both institutional and familial. Read more. Last Modified: 12-9-2007 Improving permanency for children in care Response by HAN to he Queensland Governemnt Discussion Paper on Child Safety 2006 Read more. Last Modified: 20-8-2007 Former Neerkol abuse victim to write to Pope A former resident of the Neerkol Orphanage near Rockhampton, in central Queensland, is planning to write to the Pope over the Catholic Church's handling of the sexual abuse issue. Read more. Last Modified: 25-7-2007 Aussie victims less likely to sue, Church officials say As the State's court approves Los Angeles archdiocese's record $760 million payout to sex abuse victims, Australian church officials say that the American experience is less likely to be repeated in Australia. Read more. Last Modified: 25-7-2007 Victims break silence on institutional child abuse For more than 30 years from the late 1930s, 10,000 children from poverty-stricken British families were brought to Australian boarding institutions in the name of charity. One of the scheme's shining beacons was Fairbridge Farm, 300 kilometres west of Sydney. But a new book, written by a former public administrator touted as one of the farm's success stories, reveals a devastating picture of a school where children as young as four were molested and forced to work long hours Read more. Posted: 2-5-2007 Abuse allegations continue downward trend The US Church's gradual resolution of clergy sexual abuse cases continued its progress in 2006, as the number of allegations and the amount in settlements paid to victims both dropped. But the news was tempered by a major newspaper writing of the "dwindling" influence of Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, and by calls for the resignation of the hierarchy's elected head. Read more. Posted: 23-4-2007 HAN Members in the Media Lana Syed on Stateline about Mental Health and Homelessness Read more. Posted: 7-2-2007 Child abuse "out of control", warns youth advocate Commenting on new statistics which show that reports of child abuse have nearly doubled since 2001, Sydney youth advocate Fr Chris Riley says that the phenomenon is "out of control" and is regarded by some as "normal behaviour". Youth Off The Streets founder Fr Riley says that in some communities people readily look the other way on the abuse of children, according to a Catholic Weekly report Read more. Last Modified: 2-2-2007 2006 Annual Report Report on activities and events for the Historical Abuse Network 2006. To read the report in its pdf format , you will need to have the free aAdobe Reader download.Please use the link below if you need to download this software. Read more. Last Modified: 25-7-2007 " Gone to a Good Home" Film Australia Documentary surrounding court case of Lily Arthur and exposing how illegal adoption were caried out within Queensland and the rest of the States Read more. Last Modified: 28-11-2006 Stolen wages Inquiry Link http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/legcon_ctte/stolen_wages/submissions/sub02.pdf Posted: 25-6-2006 Lotus Place Lotus Place opened on May 3 2006.The Honourable Warren Pitt, Minister for Communities, Disability Services & Seniors opened a new one stop shop to help people affected by abuse in institutions. Read more. Last Modified: 26-10-2007 Marist apology to victims in abuse case The Provincial of the Marist Fathers has issued a statement acknowledging the conclusion of a trial in the Supreme Court involving a member of his Order in Tasmania, in relation to charges of serious sexual misconduct involving minors Read more. Posted: 28-3-2006 Dublin sex-abuse cases costing millions More than 100 priests serving in the Dublin archdiocese have been accused or suspected of sexual abuse, and the Irish archdiocese has paid nearly AU$9 million to settle lawsuits against clerics, according to statistics released by the archdiocese. Read more. Posted: 9-3-2006 Public Apology from Archbishop of Dubuque: February 21, 2006 To those who as minors were sexually abused by priests of the Archdiocese of Dubuque: I write first of all to you who participated in the recent settlement with the Archdiocese. I also write to your spouses and to the members of your families. In addition, I include all survivors who as minors suffered sexual abuse perpetrated by any Church personnel. Read more. Posted: 2-3-2006 Dubuque Archdiocese pays $5 million to settle 20 sex abuse cases WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) - The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque has agreed to pay five (m) million dollars to settle 20 cases of alleged sexual abuse by priests over the past five decades. The settlement was announced today by church officials and victims' attorneys in Waterloo. It is the largest average settlement per client - $250,000 - in the state to date, attorneys for plaintiffs said. Read more. Last Modified: 2-3-2006 Church assurance for abuse victims The Catholic Church has moved to assure victims of sexual abuse their legal fees will continue to be paid following confusion created by a new policy document. Read more. Posted: 2-2-2006 USA Bishop tells of Abuse Incident Testimony of Bishop Thomas Gumbleton delivered to the Judiciary Committee, Ohio House of Representatives - January 2006 Read more. Last Modified: 13-1-2006 Fr Tom Doyle USA A Message from Fr. Tom Doyle SUPPORT FOR CHANGES IN STATE LEGISLATION RELATIVE TO SEXUAL ABUSE: SOME ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS Thomas Doyle, O.P., J.C.D. Read more. Posted: 13-1-2006 Senator Andrew Murray - Speech Senator Murray - Reparations : Children in State Care Last Modified: 21-12-2005 Forgotten Australians Inquiry: Govt. Response Australian Government responds to the Forgotton Australians Inquiry Read more. Posted: 9-12-2005 Governements Response to the Senate Inquiry Link to Response to the "Forgotten Australians" Inquiry http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/clac_ctte/inst_care/gov_response/gov_response.pdf Posted: 14-11-2005 New web site from Dublin Ireland This website was set up by myself, a Survivor, for the men & women who were incarcerated in Industrial Schools, Reformatories, Magdalene Laundries & all other Residential Institutes in Ireland, also this site is completely independent with no funding from outside agencies, the Irish Government or any Religious Order or body & is totally funded by me. This site has been set up as an on-line discussion forum for Survivors & their families to have their say in an open & uncensored setting, communicate with fellow Survivors & and the public; Other sites may well have become, ‘password protected’ but, I on the other hand, do not intend to ‘follow suit’ by excluding, anyone. Read more. Last Modified: 24-11-2005 The Ferns Report Ireland 25 October 2005 The Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan, T.D., published the Report of the Ferns Inquiry today (Tuesday, 25th October 2005) following its consideration by Government at their meeting this morning. The report has been published in full on foot of legal advice received from the Attorney General. The Report has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with the terms of reference. Read more. Posted: 1-11-2005 Institutional Child Abuse in Ireland The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland was today reeling from a report which unmasks, in harrowing detail, four decades of institutionalised sexual abuse of children by priests. Read more. Last Modified: 28-10-2005 Church drops silence clause in sex payouts October 10, 2005 WHILE child migrants and other boys abused by the Christian Brothers have received a public apology, many victims were silenced by confidentiality clauses seeking to absolve the Catholic teaching order of liability. Read more. Last Modified: 10-10-2005 Bishops, where do we go from here? The deeply disturbing grand jury report on sexual abuse of children by priests in the Philadelphia archdiocese delves into a prolonged and shocking crisis. It reveals the flaws of the system established to protect children and the related extent of the corruption that has seeped into the church’s hierarchical structures. Read more. Posted: 8-10-2005 Remembrance ceremony for institutional victims of abuse - Qld. Media statement A moving remembrance ceremony held in Brisbane's City Hall today for victims of historical abuse would inspire many people to work together as a community to create an enduring safety net for children, Minister for Child Safety Mike Reynolds said today. Read more. Last Modified: 8-9-2005 Catholic diocese recognises child protection week with opening of new child protection unit The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is pleased to announce the opening and blessing of its new diocesan-wide Child Protection and Professional Conduct Unit on Tuesday evening 6th September 2005 during National Child Protection Week (4-10 September). According to Ms Helen Keevers, Manager of the Child Protection and Professional Conduct Unit, “the fundamental aim of the unit is to ensure a safe environment for children in the care of staff and volunteers from Catholic parishes, schools and other agencies. The unit has a number of major tasks. It will ensure that the diocese complies with all relevant child protection legislation and will introduce a system of education and prevention . It will address the needs of all affected parties for support and natural justice. The unit will also facilitate healing for individuals and communities affected by past abuse within the Church.” Read more. Posted: 7-9-2005 News From Scotland Few crimes provoke more anger than child abuse be it sexual or physical. But when that abuse has been carried out by someone supposed to be caring for the child it can't get any worse Read more. Last Modified: 4-7-2005 We were given hope, and we got nothing The bus to Canberra had scarcely left Sydney, but already Joanna Penglase felt she was at the end of a momentous journey. Read more. Last Modified: 4-7-2005 Gone to a Good Home Documentary surrounding court case of Lily Arthur and stories of Queensland Read more. Posted: 30-6-2005 Memory of a Forgotten Child The bishops recently responded to recommendations of a 2004 Senate Inquiry into children who had been institutionalised, often in Church facilities. The bishops' committee of inquiry acknowledged that such 'care leavers' had often suffered greatly as a result of their institutionalisation. A then student teacher remembers a visit to one such institution. Read more. Posted: 15-6-2005 Care Home Survivors Lifeline Executive to back support groups By Marion Scott Read more. Last Modified: 15-6-2005 Forgotten Australians: Forgotten report? The story of white Australian children growing up in care has not been told, and, until last year's Senate Inquiry, effectively unacknowledged. Until the 70s, tens of thousands of Australian children were legally and illegally placed in institutions, many Church run. Such places were bereft of the love and nurturing so crucial to becoming functional adults. An estimated 150,000 babies were forcibly adopted out under coersive welfare practices that were, even then, against the law. Read more. Last Modified: 15-6-2005 Pope Benedict XV1 and Sexual Abuse Reflections on the New Pope and Sexual Abuse Issues. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has been elected Pope and will be known as Benedict XV1. Read more. Posted: 20-4-2005 Bishops, Orders welcome Children in Care report The Australian Catholic Bishops and the Leaders of Religious Institutes yesterday welcomed the Report of the Senate Inquiry into Children in Institutional Care. In a combined statement, they renewed the apology to first made in the 1996 document, Towards Healing. Read more. Posted: 15-12-2004 Former detective sues police force, Catholic church Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV PROGRAM TRANSCRIPT LOCATION: http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2004/s1264404.htm Broadcast: 13/12/2004 Read more. Posted: 14-12-2004 Statement from Bishop Michael Malone re Fr James Fletcher Media Releases 2004 Monday 6th December 2004 Statement from Bishop Michael Malone re Fr James Fletcher In East Maitland court today a jury returned a guilty verdict in the case of Fr James Fletcher. Fr Fletcher was found guilty of sexual abuse with a minor. Nine charges were levelled against him and he was found guilty of all nine charges. As bishop of the Maitland-Newcastle diocese I apologise profoundly to the victims, who cannot be named, and the victims' family and friends for the immense pain and suffering caused by Fr Fletcher's criminal actions. Read more. Posted: 9-12-2004 News Reports from Glasgow Some reports in the Sunday Press - you may find them interesting Read more. Posted: 6-12-2004 Allan's Bilby Buggy turns tragedy into triumph Presenter: Steve Austin Wednesday, 10 November 2004 Read more. Posted: 10-11-2004 "Unholy Orders" documentary Screened on SBS Thursday 4th November 2004 at 8.30pm Read more. Last Modified: 10-11-2004 Former Residents Meet With Senators On Tuesday September 28 a group of former residents met with Senators Andrew Murray and John Cherry (Australian Democrats)to review the Senat Inquiry. Read more. Last Modified: 21-10-2004 Former foster children welcome child abuse report An advocacy group for people brought up as state wards or foster children in Australia has welcomed a Senate report into the treatment of children raised in institutional care. The report, tabled in the Senate today, calls for governments, churches and other agencies to apologise to those who were harmed by their experiences while in institutions. Read more. Last Modified: 21-10-2004 Inquiry into Abuse of State Wards in South Australia A SUPREME Court judge will head a South Australian inquiry into the sexual abuse of child wards of the state. Posted: 22-7-2004 Protecting Our Children Available on the Han Site These documents provides the full report as well as the summary and list of recommendations. Read more. Last Modified: 21-10-2004 NEERKOL MEMORIAL DEDICATION CEREMONY On Tuesday 5th August 2003 former residents of St Joseph's Home, Neerkol and their families, representatives from state and federal government, Mrs Leneen Forde, staff from Esther Centre and ARC and other interested people attended a memorial dedication ceremony in Rockhampton. Read more. Last Modified: 21-10-2004 New Publication Photo Album of Remembrance Day 2008 The Queensland Terrace State Library of Queensland Read more. Last Modified: 4-11-2008 Em-Power Arts Calendar 2008 Em-Power Arts Calendar 2008 Read more. Last Modified: 4-11-2008 Forde News May 2008 News Bulletin from the Forde Foundation May 2008 Read more. Last Modified: 29-5-2008 From the Lilypad Autumn 2008 Welcome to the Autumn edition of the Lotus Place Newsletter Read more. Last Modified: 29-5-2008 Fairbridge Farm Schools Kingsley Fairbridge was born in 1885 at Grahamstown, Cape Colony in South Africa. His father was a surveyor, a position which required constant travelling, and so the family was regularly on the move, as a result of which the boy, Kingsley, had little formal education. Moreover he contracted malaria as a child in Mashonaland and this was behind the chronic health problems he suffered and which were to lead to his early and untimely death in 1924 at the early age of thirty-nine. Read more. Posted: 2-5-2007 THE FERNS REPORT - ONLINE "The Inquiry wishes to acknowledge its debt to the courageous people who spoke about experiences of abuse. Without exception the witnesses who attended the hearings impressed the Inquiry with their dignity and clarity. Many offered an invaluable insight into the nature and extent of the problem and the lasting trauma it can cause. It would not have been possible to produce this Report without their cooperation and help." Ferns Report, p. 4. Read more. Last Modified: 9-3-2006 Remembrance Book In Memory of the Deceased Children of Smyllum 1864 - 1981 Monument Sponsored by The Sisters of Charity Whilst the Monument was dedicated to the children who died in Smyllum Park please note that this book is for ALL. Anyone wishing to record a message can do so by e-mail Read more. Last Modified: 13-12-2005 Inquiry into Institutional Care The inquiry was re-established by the Senate on 1 December 2004 to enable it to conclude its second report by 17 March 2005 to cover remaining matters in the terms of reference including foster care, children with physical and mental disabilities in care, and other contemporary issues of child welfare and child protection. Posted: 31-3-2005 Upcoming Events Sunday free films | Film screenings in kuril dhagun Come along to our weekly film screenings of independent, international and classic films. Read more. Last Modified: 1-10-2008 Queensland Health Events Calendar 2008 National and local health related events. Read more. Last Modified: 4-11-2008 Forgotten Australians Choir Brisbane Watch this space for news of our next series of rehearsals for the Forgotten Australians Choir Brisbane Read more. Last Modified: 2-4-2008 Surviving Abuse and Achieving Justice Crusading Queenslander Roni Askey-Doran, a freelance journalist, an author, and a survivor of sexual abuse, will visit South East Queensland over the next few months to present her powerful seminar; Surviving Abuse and Achieving Justice. Read more. Last Modified: 22-9-2005 Wilson Memorial Invitation The Department of Communities have approved a one-off grant for the development, installation and celebration of a memorial art piece for the Sir Leslie Wilson Youth Detention Centre/The Wilson Youth Hospital. The memorial will be installed at the site of Wilson as part of the development of a public housing complex. Read more. Posted: 15-6-2005 Forums Share Your Memories of the 'Ekka" What do like like most about Ekka? What are you favourite Ekka memories. Let us know. Read more. Last Modified: 5-9-2008 Imaginif child protection became serious business. This web site is owned by Imaginif Pty Ltd, an Australian company concerned with personal, community, social and commercial safety Read more. Last Modified: 6-3-2008

[ Micah Projects ] [ Building Bridges ] [ Community Linking ] [ Esther ] [ HAN ] [ MICS ] [ Romiga ] [ YMYW ]