Personal Injury

In a significant and long-awaited public statement, the Catholic dioceses of Western Australia—comprising Perth, Bunbury, Geraldton, and Broome—issued a joint apology to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. This apology came in the wake of a state parliamentary committee report that exposed the inadequate support and compensation available to survivors and highlighted the systemic failures of the Church to protect vulnerable children.

The dioceses’ apology acknowledged the lifelong impact of the abuse suffered by countless individuals at the hands of clergy and lay Church workers. While the Church has vowed to prioritise child protection moving forward, the historical record reveals a grim legacy that has left deep scars across Western Australian communities.

Institutions Implicated in Institutional Child Sexual Abuse

A range of Catholic institutions in Western Australia have been implicated in these abuses, with several specific schools, churches, and religious orders being particularly notorious.

1. Christian Brothers’ Schools: The Christian Brothers, a religious order running numerous schools in Western Australia, has been at the centre of many abuse cases. Institutions such as
   * St Joseph’s College in Albany,
   * Clontarf Aboriginal College in Waterford, and
   * Castledare Boys’ Home in Wilson
   have been identified as places where significant abuse occurred. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse found that over 20% of Christian Brothers were involved in abuse cases.
2. Benedictine Community of New Norcia: New Norcia, a monastic town operated by the Benedictine monks, became a hotspot for abuse. The Royal Commission revealed that 21.5% of priests from the Benedictine Community were accused of child sexual abuse, with much of this occurring at New Norcia Catholic College.
3. St John of God Brothers: This religious order, known for running St John of God Hospital in Subiaco, was also implicated in numerous abuse cases. The order had a particularly high percentage of its members accused of abuse.
4. Parishes in Perth and Bunbury: The Archdiocese of Perth and the Diocese of Bunbury also had several priests accused of abuse. While specific churches were not always named, the Royal Commission’s findings indicated that 8.3% of priests in Perth and 7.8% in Bunbury faced allegations of sexual misconduct.

Moving Forward – The Path to Justice Closure and Compensation

The Church’s apology is a crucial step towards acknowledging the pain and suffering inflicted on survivors, but much work remains. The recent parliamentary inquiry recommended several measures, including the publication of known abusers’ names on Church websites and the creation of a centralised list of perpetrators by the WA Government.

For survivors, the road to justice is often long and painful. At Koffels Solicitors and Barristers, we understand these cases’ emotional and legal challenges. Our firm is dedicated to helping survivors of institutional abuse seek the justice and compensation they deserve.

If you or someone you know has been affected by abuse in Catholic institutions or any other institution in Western Australia, we encourage you to contact us. We offer a free and confidential call-back request. Our experienced legal team will listen to your story and guide how you can best pursue justice.