TJHC Newsletter - Two new Commission research reports, SIP in Sandringham, CCI documents, Frankly Speaking and more

Welcome to the Truth, Justice and Healing Council eNewsletter July 2017 View in Browser Forward to a Friend Subscribe

Child sexual abuse scandal about power not sex The National Catholic Reporter editorialises this week that what continues to thwart the work of the church to fully understand and address the clerical child sexual abuse scandal is that the hierarchy has yet to undertake the deep and likely painful examination of the role the all-male clerical culture of the Church has played. 'At its core, this scandal is not about sex, it is about how power and authority are wielded in the church. Until that changes, little else will,' the NCR says. On abuse, church has changed, but not enough National Catholic Reporter editorial - 11 July 2017     Frankly speaking... As the Royal Commissioners meet behind closed doors to finalise their observations and recommendations the rest of us begin to consider the implications for our organisations and services. Obviously what is actually recommended and in turn implemented lays in the future. But some action can happen now Latest from the Council Two new research reports released by Commission The Royal Commission has released a new research report about how memory affects child sexual abuse prosecutions. The report outlines research findings that "common sense" beliefs about memory, frequently held by police, lawyers, judges, juries and laypeople, did not correspond with scientific knowledge about memory. Read full report: Empirical Guidance on the Effects of Child Sexual Abuse on Memory and Complainants' Evidence This week the Commission has also released a new research report that suggests strong connection to culture can help protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from sexual abuse in institutions. Read full report: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and sexual abuse in institutional contexts New ACT reportable conduct scheme Canberra-Archbishop Christopher Prowse has again urged the ACT government to include the church in organisations covered by its reportable scheme, calling its omission an "anomaly". Under the new laws schools, childcare centres and health providers will be forced to report all child abuse allegations to the ACT Ombudsman. However church organisations, scout groups, sporting clubs and dance schools are not covered by the legislation. Archbishop urges extension of reportable conduct scheme Canberra Times - June 30 2017 Sandringham 'Spirituality in the Pub' kicks over the rocks The future of the Catholic Church and its response to child sex abuse were the main focus of a 'Spirituality in the Pub' meeting in the Sandringham Hotel in Melbourne's west late last month. More than 150 people attended the event, titled 'The Royal Commission: What happens now?', to hear the CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council, Francis Sullivan, talk about the reforms which have taken place in the Church over recent years and the challenges it continues to face. TJHC joins Sandringham community at Spirituality in the Pub Melbourne 28 June 2017 CCI documents The Commission has published documents relating to Catholic Church Insurance (CCI) and 22 alleged perpetrators which were tendered during the public hearing into Catholic Church authorities in Australia.     Coming up July 18, Address to University of Third Age, Canberra July 19, Address to Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Conference, Melbourne August 24, Address biennial National Catholic Education Media, Marketing and Communications Conference, Surfers Paradise August 25, Address to South Australian Catholic Principals, Adelaide October 19, Address to Catholic Community of Geelong, Geelong November 4, Address to Catholic School Parents Australia, Hobart November 13 Address to Catholic Secondary Principals Australia, Adelaide       Copyright © 2017 Truth, Justice and Healing Council   |   Privacy Policy