Clergy who fail to report
child abuse by their colleagues should face jail, a landmark State
parliamentary inquiry is set to recommend, the Herald Sun reports.
A
fter more than 160 hearings over nine months, Australia's first
parliamentary inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and
other organisations will table its findings this week.
Sources have told the Herald Sun that the committee will
recommend a new criminal offence be created for ministers of religion
who fail to report physical or sexual abuse of children by other clergy.
Survivors of clergy child sex abuse said they would welcome the move to jail ministers of religion who shield their colleagues.
The Family and Community Development Committee, chaired by Liberal
Upper House member Georgie Crozier, heard evidence from victims, their
families, experts, and other professionals. Almost half of its hearings
were held in camera.
Premier Denis Napthine's spokesman, Kathryn McFarlane, said the Government had yet to see the report.