Farrell case study, Pope's Day of Prayer, four final public hearing reports released, Frankly Speaking and more

Welcome to the Truth, Justice and Healing Council eNewsletter September 2016 View in Browser Forward to a Friend Subscribe

Royal Commission public hearing into John Joseph Farrell and the Armidale and Parramatta Dioceses The Royal Commission's a public hearing into the response of Catholic Church authorities to allegations of child sexual abuse by John Joseph Farrell commenced in Sydney on Monday. The hearing is looking into responses of the Dioceses of Armidale and Parramatta as well as the responce of the Special Issues Group for the Province of Sydney to the allegations.  Statement from Armidale Bishop, Michael Kennedy, at start of Farrell public hearing 9 September 2016 Statement from Parramatta Bishop, Vincent Long, at start of Farrell public hearing 9 September 2016 Royal Commission media release 8 September 2016 Read TJHC Hearing room updates Justice McClellan's opening remarks 12 September 2016 Opening address by Senior Counsel Assisting 12 September 2016     Frankly speaking... Over the past almost four years, as the Royal Commission has explored the way the Catholic Church and other institutions have responded to child sexual abuse one of the key issues I hear from survivors is the difficulty they have trying to get hold of their personal records. Certainly in the past 15 years or so, many Catholic organisations have done a lot to make sure care leavers get better access to their records. But some still have a long way to go. Latest from the Council Record keeping consultation paper The Royal Commission has released a consultation paper looking records and recordkeeping practices in institutions in relation to child sexual abuse. The consultation paper, Records and recordkeeping practices, examines the records and recordkeeping practices of both older and contemporary institutions, identifying key areas of concern. Read RC media release here Read issues paper here Pope announces worldwide day of prayer for the victims of sexual abuse Pope Francis has announced plans for a worldwide day of prayer for the victims of sexual abuse in line with a proposal from his child protection panel. The panel has also decided to establish a website later this year to help protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse in both the Catholic Church and wider society. Church to have prayer day for clerical abuse victims and website to counter abuse RTE News 12 September 2016     Commission research symposium on what children think makes an institution safe The Royal Commission has issued an invitation to its research symposium in Sydney which is looking into children and young people's views on safety in institutions. The symposium will be held on Friday 28 October from 9:00am-12:30pm in the University Hall, UTS, 15 Broadway Sydney. RSVPs essential by 23 September to: symposia@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au See Commission Invitation here Archdiocese of Perth signals importance of National Child Protection Week The Archdiocese of Perth has held its inaugural 2016 Child Protection Breakfast. The event focused on the importance of protecting children and the steps that must be taken to prevent the failures of the past from happening again. Archdiocese of Perth signals importance of National Child Protection Week with star-studded breakfast The Record - 6 September 2016 Responding to complaints of child sexual abuse best practice submissions published The Royal Commission has published 35 submissions in response to its consultation paper dealing with responding to complaints of child sexual abuse in institutional contexts. The Commission received submissions from sector peak bodies, government agencies, survivor advocacy and support groups, religious institutions and other interested parties. TJHC Submission Royal Commission Consultation Paper   Research reveals new insights into children's views of safety A survey of over 1,000 children and young people reveals that more than 40 percent would feel uncomfortable talking to an adult at school if they were in a situation where an adult or other young person made them feel uncomfortable. Children and young people were most likely to report that they would tell a friend or parent if they found themselves in an unsafe situation with just over a quarter reporting that they would tell a teacher. Read the Report: Our Safety Counts Commission seeks submissions for public hearings The Commission will be holding public hearings in December 2016 into the current policies and procedures of Scouts NSW, YMCA NSW, The Salvation Army, Australian Christian Churches. The hearings will also examine the response of each institution to the case studies they have been the focus of over the past three years. Submissions should be made by 23 September 2016. Read Royal Commission media release Commission releases four final reports Over the past week the Royal Commission has released four final reports into different institutions which have been the focus of public hearings over the past three years. The reports are available on the Commission's website. Report into Victorian state run youth training and reception centres Report into Satyananda Yoga Ashram Report into Knox Grammar School and the Uniting Church Report into the Salvation Army's Southern Territory Coming up 12 September: Case study 44, Fr Farrell  - Dioceses of Parramatta and Armidale 20 Sept 2016: St Aloysius College staff development day 27 September 2016: Dominican Friars Pre-Chapter Assembly, Templestowe 28 September 2016: St Vincent De Paul social justice meeting 25 October 2016: CSSA Leaders Summit, CLC Melbourne 25 October 2016: Catholic Theological College SRC 25 October 2016: St Roch's Parish Pastoral Council, Glen Iris 8 November 2016: Spirituality in the Pub, Notting Hill, Victoria       Copyright © 2016 Truth, Justice and Healing Council   |   Privacy Policy