Clare Linane on Andrew Bolt

Description: Hello Andrew, I’m Clare. I was born into a Catholic family in Ballarat. Four members of my family, including my husband, were s

Article originally prepared on : 19 February 2016

Hello Andrew, I'm Clare. I was born into a Catholic family in Ballarat. Four members of my family, including my husband, were sexually abused by Catholic clergy. So I don't write with the intimate knowledge of the Royal Commission that you may have, but I do have personal experience living with survivors of abuse.

From where I stand, none of what you have written about in this article is important. A good red herring to distract from the main issues, yes, but not what matters.

Please spend some of your intellect and influence helping me with questions which really do matter to me, such as:

• How do we ensure that people in positions of power (including but not limited to, religious power) can't abuse that power to exploit vulnerable children?

• What can we do here in my hometown of Ballarat, right now, to ensure that the dozens, likely hundreds of abused men and women who have yet to seek help, can get it when they are ready? Current events are likely to trigger many people; however the waiting list to see a counsellor is 3 months. It is too long. Our suicide rate is already well above the national average. Andrew, please help me lobby some funding to change this. (Do you know anyone who has influence in high places?)

• What practical assistance could we get for survivors who are unable to support themselves financially due to losing their ability to earn a living when they developed post-traumatic stress disorder? Financial stress on top of emotional damage and – for some – physical injury due to beatings by clergy - is too much for them to bear. Cardinal Pell said the Catholic Church would follow any instruction given by the government for a redress scheme, but then our Prime Minister at the time, Tony Abbott, said we should go back to the Institution where the abuse occurred. But we can't sue the Church because of the Ellis defence. So you see Andrew it is a very difficult situation. I would appreciate your advice.

• How can we get the Catholic Church to change Canon Law to state that any clergy who abuse children are to be sacked and prosecuted? Ironically it already stated this up until 1904 when that part was discarded. Instead in 1922 and again in 1962 the ‘secret of the holy office'/pontifical secret instructed that any such behaviour was to be kept "under wraps". George Pell was just one of many Bishops who successfully followed instructions. (Honestly Andrew this is way beyond my capacity, I even had to Google those facts just now, but am hoping it came across like I'm smart) If you know George personally could you please ask him his thoughts on how to bring about this change?

• How can we get certain journalists to stop portraying people who support Survivors as Pell-haters. Actually, we are survivor-supporters. Of the 4,140 people who have (as of 5.55pm today) donated to the Send Ballarat to Rome campaign, I suspect only a very small percentage are driven by a hatred of Pell. The rest of us just feel incredible compassion for these men and women who have endured so much, and want to help in any small way we can. Even Tim Minchin, whilst very transparent in his feelings for George Pell, was I'm sure driven by a desire to support survivors.

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