Victoria criticised for delaying decision on reporting child abuse heard in confession

Critics say Victorian government is ‘still putting the church ahead of children’

The Victorian government has been criticised for delaying its decision on whether to abolish the seal of confessional for disclosures of child sexual abuse, in its response to the recommendations of the royal commission.

On Wednesday the state government issued its response to the royal commission’s 409 recommendations, 317 of which apply to Victoria. The state’s attorney general, Martin Pakula, said the government had accepted 128 recommendations, accepted 165 recommendations in principle, and would need to further consider another 24.

Related: Melbourne archbishop says he'd rather go to jail than report child abuse heard in confession

Related: Catholic church dismisses key recommendations from landmark inquiry into child abuse

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from Children | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2NG5yh6