There are new calls for an inquiry into the suicide of whistleblower priest Glen Walsh. The Catholic church argues the events are ‘historical’ and have been addressed by previous inquiries.
Nina Papalia, Swinburne University of Technology and James Ogloff, Swinburne University of Technology
New research has found child sex abuse survivors are far more likely to be the victims of a range of crimes as adults. The reasons why – and who is most vulnerable – are complex.
A first-of-its-kind study in Australia is looking at ways to support sex offenders to restart their lives after prison. Research shows this can reduce recidivism by 88%.
Pell said after his acquittal he would ‘be very surprised if there’s any bad findings’ in the redacted portions of the royal commission report. This is not the case.
This High Court appeal did not ask whether Pell committed the offences. It asked whether the two majority judges in the Victorian Court of Appeal, in dismissing Pell’s earlier appeal, made an error.
To address low conviction rates in child sex abuse cases, reforms were made to allow juries to hear about the past sex crimes of defendants. Not all lawyers agree the changes are good.
When parents suspect grooming, they should direct their concerns to the school, no matter how trivial it may seem.
Even with the National Redress Scheme, pursuing justice through civil litigation is still hugely important to many victims of priest sex abuse.
David Crosling/AAP
Addressing the legal responsibility of institutions for the actions of abusers has proven incredibly complex. Victoria thought it was making things easier for victims, but the opposite is true.
Christian Porter announced details of the legislation last week, saying 28% of child sex offenders convicted of federal offences in 2018-19 served no jail time.
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Moderate Liberal Russell Broadbent, says mandatory sentencing interferes with separation of powers, and removes the option for judges to take particular circumstances of cases into account.
The Pennsylvania grand jury report may have played a role in helping survivors come to grips with their past.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Last year, Pennsylvania’s grand jury report uncovered sexual abuse allegations by over 300 priests. A scholar explains how the report may have helped survivors come to terms with a painful past.
The ethical implications of putting vigilantes on the front line in the battle against child sex abuse.
Victims or their family members react to a Pennsylvania grand jury investigation that identified more than 1,000 child victims of clergy sexual abuse.
AP/Matt Rourke
In the wake of new revelations about clergy sex abuse and cover-up in Pennsylvania, civil lawsuits brought by abuse victims may be the only effective way to hold Catholic church officials accountable.
Archbishop Philip Wilson leaves Newcastle Local Court after being found guilty of concealing child sexual abuse.
AAP/Peter Lorimer
James Ward, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute; Belinda Hengel, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute, and John Boffa, Curtin University
Young people in remote Aboriginal communities have high rates of STIs for a number of reasons, including inconsistent condom use and poor access to health services.
University Distinguished Professor of Forensic Behavioural Science, Director of the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Victorian Institute of Forensic Behavioural Science (Forensicare), Swinburne University of Technology