As an Australian Citizen

Dear TWIMC, (to whom it may concern)

As an Australian Citizen who believed in your rhetoric of change I am most certainly infuriated by your personal affront to me and others in my circumstances. I am a survivor of clerical sexual abuse one of many in this country. I was vulnerable at the time of my abuse, today nothing much has changed and the vulnerable like me look to their supreme leader for protection and leadership. You have failed both tests! How dare you ignore thousands of people like me and during World Youth Day you suggest that we victims go back to the church for healing. That kind of thinking is ludicrous, so using that analogy you would send victims of attempted murder back to their attackers to complete the job then.

Factor in also I had no choice over becoming a victim by virtue of being born into a religious family. Your actions are exactly like those of people in times past forcing me back into the hands of abusers for healing. These are criminal acts but because they revolve around the church it becomes a matter for the church. Mr Rudd precisely what sweetheart deal has our government struck with the church over clergy sexual abuse?

It is not enough to show indifference on this issue as the victims grow in number each day, like other crises this will become a monster to haunt the government very soon. The various stages each survivor finds themselves in range from minor to mature adult, all require assistance to just cope with what is to most normal society. Meanwhile the church gets millions of dollars of assistance for its projects, grants for more community projects that selective exclude the victims of their clergy abuse.

I call on you as the Prime Minister, the Premiers and leaders in the community to apologize for mis handling this issue. Real leadership would accept these facts, take responsibility, make certain that ALL offenders were tried in a court of law quickly. A real leader would make sure that a victim could go to the police and find them supportive, instead of combative seeking to protect the reputation of their faith.

Victims and suvivors only ask you for the opportunity to participate in the same life and community you have access to without fear or shame.