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News and Media Releases
- Sex abuse victims seek independent inquiry into payouts
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Contributor:
Project Worker
Source: Church Resources
Posted: 17-1-2008
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.
The Herald Sun reports 14 victims of defrocked priest Gerald Francis Ridsdale will lobby for a Department of Justice investigation into why victims were paid varying compensation by the Church.
72 year old defrocked priest Ridsdale is considered to be one of Victoria's most prolific child sex offenders.
The payouts ranged from several thousand dollars, while others received tens of thousands or more than $100,000.
One victims, "Robert", said the issue was not just about fair compensation but also dignity.
"It's not all about money, there's a lot more to it than that," he said
"This should have been handled decades ago by the law, independent of the Church."
Currently, Risdale is serving a minimum 19 years for raping and molesting 40 children, aged 6-16, between 1961 and 1987.
Ridsdale will be eligible for parole in 2013.
Website: Sex abuse victims seek independent inquiry into payouts
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