The statistics surrounding pedophile priests in Western Australia are alarming. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse found that, between 1950 and 2010, up to 8.3% of priests in the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth had faced allegations of child sexual abuse. That is close to nearly one out of every ten priests working within the Diocese over a period of 60 years. The number is truly shocking.
Are you a survivor of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church? Click here to share your story with us. You may be eligible for compensation.
The Royal Commission identified the Benedictine Community of New Norcia as a particular hot spot of abuse, with up to 21.5% of all priests facing accusations and allegations of child abuse throughout this period.
The problem is not confined to Perth; similar numbers can be found across the State, with up to 7.8% of priests in the Diocese of Bunbury facing similar allegations. Orders such as the Christian Brothers were also havens for offenders across Western Australia.
We have previously written about offending priests such as Father Richard Doyle and Father Denis McAlinden. Others who have faced accusations include Father Bertram Adderley and Father Joseph Tran. There are many more, and we plan to keep exposing them all.
At Kelso Lawyers, we believe even one victim of child abuse is too many. Institutions like the Catholic Church must be exposed and held responsible for the horrific crimes perpetrated against innocent young people. We have represented many abuse victims within the Catholic Church in Western Australia and all over the country and secured millions in compensation for survivors.
If you were abused in Catholic institutions or any institutions around Australia, we want to hear from you. We will fight for you. Click here to share your story.
Featured Image: Pexels
