Melb priests abused hundreds of children

The Catholic Church has paid out $16.8 million to more than 450 people who were sexually abused as children in Melbourne. archdiocese.

EXTENT OF CHILD SEX ABUSE IN MELBOURNE ARCHDIOCESE:

HOW MANY WERE ABUSED?

* 454 made claims since 1980

* Against 188 priests, religious, employees and volunteers

* Most abuse happened 1950-1989

* A third happened in 1970s

* Nearly all offenders men (eight per cent women)

HOW MUCH HAS CATHOLIC CHURCH PAID OUT?

* $12.8m in compensation for 316 claims

* $16.8m in total including treatment, legal and other costs

* Average $52,000 per claimant

WHAT ABOUT ABUSE BY PRIESTS ONLY?

* 335 people abused by 84 priests

* Seven priests had more than 10 complaints each

* Most abuse happened at parishes and schools

* Highest number of complaints (56) against Oakleigh parish priest Kevin O'Donnell

WHAT HAS CHURCH PAID FOR PRIESTS' ABUSE?

* 14 civil claims; compensation paid in half

* $1.9m total for civil claims - average almost $270,000

* $12.9m total for 277 complaints through church's Melbourne Response claims handling process - average $46,000

SOURCE: Child abuse royal commission data on claims and substantiated complaints received by Archdiocese of Melbourne between January 1980-February 28, 2015.


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world