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Victorian Parliamentary Committee has listened
to victims of child sexual assault
November 13, 2013
Statement by Nicky Davis of SNAP Auatralia
Victims of child sexual assault across the country have reason to celebrate
today.
Not only is it one year since the historic announcement of the national Royal
Commission into this issue, but the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry hands down
its report today, and we can finally see a glimmer of hope for justice, better
child protection, and an end to our suffering.
The report itself will be available online shortly, but even from the details
already available in the media release, and from the speeches to the Victorian
Parliament, it is clear we have been listened to and we have been heard.
Equally importantly, the campaign of excuses, misinformation, minimisation and
distraction by religious officials has not convinced anyone. For far too long
victims have had a second, and at least equally painful, cause of suffering
from not only the deliberate neglect of our rights and need for healing by
these organisations, but also from the reassuring lies told to present an
appearance that nothing is wrong and there is no need for outside action.
We call on all political parties in Victoria to express support for the law reforms proposed by
the Committee, which are an absolute minimum requirement if justice is to be
done and children are to be protected.
We also call on all other states to seriously consider implementing similar
reforms, as this is an Australia wide, and indeed worldwide systemic problem which
does not stop at the Victorian border.
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