Abuse is a complex of problems which require a sophisticated response.

Lifeline and other support organisations can help abuse victims. It is vital that we in community raise our awareness and help create an environment for healing. After any financial compensation there are intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual considerations.

Australia as a signatory to our United Nations http://www.un.org & WHO (World Health Organisation) initiated a National Mental Health Strategy http://www.mentalhealth.gov.au in 1992 which developed a Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention (PPEI) Action Plan in 2000. The PPEI Action Plan has explicit process and outcome indicators for mental health recovery.

At the 2006 Anglican Adelaide Synod http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Diocese_of_Adelaide a question was asked on what were the barriers to creating an international research centre on sexual misconduct.

HERE IS SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT

It may be the case that when parliamentarians actively and deliberately seek out their respective churches for political support, they set up a situation where it may become difficult for them to have the necessary arms length needed to genuinely committ themselves to purusing such abuses that may be carried out by certain members of the church, by way of demanding policy and procedures be put in place.

Such active engagement with the church and support for church positions on issues such as abortion and so forth, in order to raise political support for the respective candidate, may compromise the ability of such candidates to effectively pursue such issues.

IS ABORTION A BIGGER SIN THAN CHILD ABUSE?
I am not aware, so I ask this by way of a question, but has that very Catholic Senator Julian McGauran who zealously pursued the case of that woman who had a late term abortion, also ever been noted for purusing and/or publicly condemning any member of the church who has engaged in child abuse?

The Catholic Church needs fundamental reform of its structures and processes to address the issue of sexual abuse, because this is just one symptom of a larger problem. If more men and women within and outside of church structures have the courage and commitment to speak out about the misuse of unbridled power, regardless of the costs, then change will happen.

Times have changed. The Article is true about the Anglican Church ten years ago. Now when an allegation arises against a clergyperson which is criminal the Church reports to the Police as a matter of course and also assists the victim to tell his story to them.
Experience shows that Police cannot always prosecute due to lack of corroboration or passage of time. And the high criminal onus means the many prosecutions do not suceed.
The Church still needs to deal with the allegation as a serious matter in any event, make an appropriate pastoral response to the victim including an apology, come to some conclusion if possible about the facts, deal with the perpetrator and protect people into the future.
All Anglican abuse can be reported to 1800774945 or to reportabuse@sydney.anglican.asn.au as well as to the Police.

It is important to not only consider what has happened for healing but also realise that Synods in major denominations have seriously started to address sexual misconduct which includes updated Canon (Church law). Further information can be seen by doing an online search eg by www.google.com for the respective denomination you may be interested in or have ongoing concern.

We all need to be part of the change we are looking for so that the victims do not victimise.

Kind regards

--
Matthew Fowler
2007 Kingston Candidate

http://www.sa.democrats.org.au/Election <-- see our Objectives, balloted policies and current issues
- change politics! be the change we are all looking for ...

The Australian Democrats stand for a fair society that values justice, democracy, individual freedom and diversity.

We work for a prosperous, environmentally sustainable and equitable economy; good, accountable governance and responsible, peaceful engagement in the global community.

We are honest, compassionate, beholden to no interest group (big business, the unions or chained to any extreme ideology or religion) and we provide a voice for the voiceless.