The book carries the subtitle “Reckoning with Sexual Abuse by Clergy” and was written by Australian journalist Davey about the scale of sexual abuse against children in Australia both in and out of religious” institutions and others – with thousands of individual victims. In many cases she is talking about “historic” cases, that included not just churches, but schools, clubs, orphanages and care homes as well as leaching out into the wider community. Critical to the complaints are that there were a number of serial abusers and this was known about by the clergy around them. That they were protected and enabled to continue to carry on, with those subject to too many complaints being deliberately moved to other parishes where an unaware community could not protect their children. Others were often promoted to positions of more power. The subtext too is that the church was so powerful and influential in some communities that even if children felt able to complain they would not be “believed” or their complaints acted on. It should be said these statements are heavily disputed by some in the religious communities and that to make these statements is totally unacceptable in certain circles and can open writers to abuse, trolling and general harassment.
Davey is well aware of the possible impact on children who are sexually abused and the scale of damage that they carry through the rest of their life. They are not incidental to this issue and those who were abused and family members who spoke to her during her investigations are presented here – often with direct testimonies – so this is not an easy read. But the sheer scale of the abuse, the denials, the vacillations, the playing of the legal system and the cover ups are deeply chilling to any caring person. She admits herself that she struggled with what she heard and it had a serious impact on her mental health. This goes a little way to explain the other difficulty of reading this book – where the presentation of the evidence is not always coherent to the reader and can seem garbled and difficult to follow. Her tight final deadline after all the” legal” issues had played out is very apparent. But it is still an important read.
So who was George Pell? A charismatic priest, in Australia, who rose through the ranks, sitting on regional committees. Initially based in Ballarat in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, by 1996 he had risen to become arch bishop of Melbourne diocese and then (with allegations circling) was promoted Cardinal and shifted to the Holy See as an advisor. Initially interest focussed on him as one of the suite of priests who had known of serious abuse, had not reported it, stopped it, covered up reports and allegations and had actively protected those who were accused. Later allegations of his own involvement in almost casual, but persistent abuse of children started to circulate, he was investigated, charged, came to trial and was found guilty by a jury. Although much of the book will cover these processes – and the ongoing abuse they occasion – they almost act as shields to the nature and impact of the abuse. But they are the only way that abusers are called to account and – perhaps – prevented from continuing their abuse.
Davey admits that being from a non religious background she had not really heard of Pell until he was a witness at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse which started in 2014 – this important Commission ran for several years, taking witness statements that included evidence from Pell himself who as a senior church member was questioned about deliberate cover ups of reported abuse. The Commission’s reports were variously issued, but Pell’s statements had to be withheld as the Commission was overtaken by him being prosecuted for sexual abuse. Davey then details the legal processes he went through: Committal, the determination that the charges against him be tried in two separate cases. Because of his “celebrity” status all reporting was banned by law to ensure that trials could not be prevented or overturned on allegations that a trial was “not fair”. As a journalist Davey was not allowed access to all testimony (this was a case of sexual assault – confidentiality of claimants was protected). But she sat through all the legal hearings, trials and appeals then detailing what she can in this book. His first trial was declared a “mistrial” with a hung jury. There was a retrial and at this he was found guilty and awaited sentencing. In the meantime the second trial case was dropped. Pell appealed and his appeal was overturned on a majority decision. It was then taken to the High Court that sat in March 2020. Pell’s original jurors had to find him guilty “beyond reasonable doubt”, this they had done. The High Court ruled that they should not have come to that decision. Pell walked free from prison. Although new police investigations have already started. The Commission then issued its report around Pell’s testimony to them and specifically that in spite of his denials – his personal words given here are chilling to read - on complicity or direct involvement in covering up and protecting known sexual abusers.
Davey has tried to pull all this complex web of information together with other research on sexual abuse and its impact on victims. This is interwoven with the people she spoke to, both those who had given legal testimony and those who hadn’t – she spoke of their aging, ill-health, trauma and guilt but their belief that that the Commission and trial were important in preventing cover-ups and providing protection for children now. This was a massive task, that she undoubtedly struggled with at many levels, but it is important that people who work in child protection, care and prison sectors and all parents read and understand to keep the people around them safe. It must be remembered too that this is not just an Australian issue, this kind of abuse and cover up has been reported from countries around the world and communities are seemingly unable to stop it.