Addressing the risk of child sexual abuse in primary and secondary schools
The TJHC has released its latest submission to the Royal Commission addressing the risk of child sexual abuse in primary and secondary schools.
Around a third of people who have spoken to the Royal Commission were sexually abused as children in a school with non-government schools accounting for a disproportionately high number of reports.
The submission looks at issues including governance and leadership, teacher training and regulatory frameworks to better protect children.
This week we sent off to the Royal Commission our latest response to its policy development program which is focused on ensuring children are safe in schools.
One of the great tragedies revealed over the past three years during the Royal Commission's public hearing is the extent to which children have been sexual abused in schools – private and public.
In this submission we have recommended to the Commission a series of common-sense proposals that would make schools safer and make it simpler for school authorities to understand regulatory requirements across all states and territories.
Report makes the case for a national redress scheme for sex abuse survivors
In an extensive article in the online academic and policy site, The Conversation, Kathleen Daly, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University makes a compelling argument for the introduction of a national redress scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse.
"The commission's 656-page report is a significant achievement. Although it is sure to invite debate and cause some disappointment, the approach was consultative and evidence-based," she says.
Archbishop Hart welcomes release of Royal Commission reports
In a statement, the Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, has welcome the release last week of two reports by the Royal Commission: the final report on Redress and Civil Litigation and the Commission's report of Case Study No. 16 into the Melbourne Response.
In a prayer service with hundreds of American bishops at Washington's Cathedral of St Matthew on Wednesday Pope Francis, in a 42-minute address, gave a wide overview of how he sees the role of bishops as shepherds and pastors.
While Francis referred to the sexual abuse crisis in his address there has been some critism of the nature of his comments.
Welcome to another episode of the Journey Catholic Radio Podcast. We have a great show lined up for you this week with the return of Fr Graham Schmitzer with a wonderful Gospel Reflection followed by Sr Hilda Scott OSB giving us her wisdom from The Abbey on "Abraham's trust". We also welcome back Sam Clear in his Walking the Walk segment and we hear from other great regulars such as Trish McCarthy, Fr Dave Callaghan MGL and Bruce Downes "The Catholic Guy".
Sharing this podcast with family and friends is a great way to respond to Pope Francis' call for us to be missionary disciples who share the richness of our Faith. Invite them to subscribe here and let them know they have been on your mind this week.
The Journey is a weekly program developed by the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong and is the only Catholic radio program in Australia aired on general Christian radio.
Or listen to the full show (click the below graphic):
You can also listen to all our past shows at www.jcr.org.au
You can also subsribe to the Journey Catholic Radio Podcast on iTunes and have it automatically downloaded onto your iOS Podcast app or your iTunes Store. Click the following link to subscribe via iTunes:
We love to hear feedback and comments on the show too, so drop us an email at journey@dow.org.au or call (02) 4222 2407.
Yours in Christ
Jude Hennessy Program Director
As heard on:
Catholic Diocese of Wollongong · PO Box 1239 · Wollongong, Nsw 2500 · Australia