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Queensland lawyers have welcomed legislation that would see priests jailed for failure to report child sexual abuse made known to them through confessionals.
New laws passed through the Queensland Parliament will force members of the clergy to report child sexual abuse allegations told to them through the confessional to police. If they refuse to do so, priests could face up to three years behind bars.
Maurice Blackburn head of abuse law Michelle James noted it was a recommendation of the royal commission and commended Queensland for acting on it.
“Plenty of professions, including doctors and health professionals, have long had their obligations to report instances of abuse,” said Ms James. “Sadly however, the Catholic Church and others have continued to stubbornly resist this important reform.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan said the laws would ensure better protection for vulnerable children and that no “one group or occupation is being singled out”.
Ms James added that there is “absolutely no excuse” for Catholic Church clergy to not be held to the same standards in ensuring the safety of children is a priority.
“The position of the Catholic Church resisting such changes is untenable. No institution should be above the law,” Ms James said. “We also know from the royal commission that failures to report abuse and to act on complaints were key factors in allowing the systemic abuse to occur, sometimes for decades.
“The safety of children must come first.”
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Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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