An organisation supporting victims of child sexual abuse says it is sad Western Australia was unable to organise a rally as part of yesterday's national day of action.
ABC, Mon, Apr 15 2002 6:37 AM AEST
Rallies calling for tougher laws to address child sex abuse issues were held across the country, except in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The national day of action was organised by the group Bravehearts.
Bravehearts spokeswoman Hetty Johnston says apathy and archaic rules and regulations appear to be the reasons behind Western Australia's failure to take part in the day of action.
Ms Johnston says she understands organisers were unable to get a permit because authorities must be given several weeks notice.
"It's such a shame that in Western Australia that view wasn't represented today, it's just sad," she said.
The marchers say there is a need for a royal commission to examine the inadequacies if child protection systems across the nation. __________
"Children's group disappointed in WA inaction," © Australian Broadcasting Corporation, April 15, 2002
Clare Pascoe Henderson says she is a victim of abuse by the clergy.
Speaking at the Sydney march, she also said laws in most states and territories are inadequate.
"The Northern Territory is the only state or territory in Australia where all adults are mandated to report, in all other states clergy are exempt," she said.
Adelaide
Up to 100 marchers, carrying white balloons, rallied in the Adelaide Parklands.
Professor Freda Briggs, from the University of South Australia, says the protest highlights the inadequacies of the child protection system.
She says the current court system needs an immediate and major shake-up.
"The children often go through hell to go through the court system," she said.
"So a lot of parents are not pursuing that path and it means child sex offenders are often free to abuse young children, especially the disabled, those with poor communication skills and those who can't stand up in court for hours or days at a time and be interrogated by barristers in an alien environment."
Brisbane
About 200 people marched through the centre of Brisbane.
Hetty Johnston says a national approach to the issue of child sexual abuse is needed.
"We're calling for a royal commission, we need federal government intervention, we need laws that go right across the country," she said.
"We're also calling for definite sentencing, we have indefinite sentencing, we're now looking for one step further, which is a definite sentence, where a child sex offender is also a murderer, who murders those children."
Queensland academic Ross Daniels says it is time the issue went beyond churches conducting their own internal inquiries.
"I think that minimally what is needed now is some form of royal commission by the Australian Government," he said.
"Because you can't leave these matters to the churches any longer and the extent of child sexual abuse in Australia I think we're only at the tip of, in terms of what has happened if you take the evidence that's pouring in from elsewhere around the world."
Melbourne
Several hundred people have rallied in Melbourne.
After marching from the City Square to Parliament House, speakers demanded stronger political and judicial action in protecting children.