четверг, 1 марта 2012 г.

Vic: Reaction to Pell allegations could discourage other victims

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Vic: Reaction to Pell allegations could discourage other victims

A leading child protection advocate says the reaction to abuse claims levelled at Sydney'sCatholic Archbishop GEORGE PELL could discourage victims of paedophile priests from comingforward.

Associate Professor CHRIS GODDARD wants the federal government to set up an independentinquiry into claims Dr PELL molested a 12-year-old boy at a church summer camp in Victoria41 years ago.

Dr PELL denies the allegations and has stood aside to await the results of a church-initiatedinvestigation by retired Victorian Supreme Court judge ALEC SOUTHWELL QC.

But Professor GODDARD says an inquiry by a church-appointed judge is open to questionand he wants an inquiry set up by the federal government that is perceived to be entirelyindependent.

Professor GODDARD, the director of the Child Abuse and Family Violence Research Centreat Monash University, says Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD's support of Dr PELL is also inappropriate.

He says the accused is found innocent by the prime minister and the complainant isfound guilty by the media because of his alleged criminal record -- and that may discourageother complainants from coming forward.

AAP RTV bja/gfr/ldj/rp

KEYWORD: PELL CLAIMS GODDARD (MELBOURNE)

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