Hope in child abuse inquiry

But fears it will avoid teacher query

CHILD sex abuse survivor advocates are celebrating news the state government will finally be grilled over its historic management of alleged pedophile school teachers – but they also fear the most important question of all will remain unasked.

“Teachers (facing child sex allegations) were shunted around from one place to another. Why did they do that?” Allison Ritchie, former Labor politician and founder of People Protecting Children, said.

“If there’s no intention to (ask) that, this would be a waste of time.”

On Thursday, Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff announced an independent inquiry into departmental systems regarding child sexual abuse risk would be held, with details to be coming weeks.

The announcement follows months of pressure for answers after the Mercury revealed evidence the department had protected at least two teachers facing numerous child sex complaints between the 1970s and 1990s.

Lawyer Sebastian Buscemi, who is representing dozens of historic child sex victims who were abused at the hands of state government employees, is also worried the department won’t be forced to answer why it moved teachers school-toschool amid allegations.

He said the terms of reference seemed to avoid the need to address that question.

“That’s the question they need to address, because that’s the issue,” he said.

“What kind of systemic issues would lead to a teacher revealed over being moved around like that?

“It’s one thing to speak about avoiding the wrongs of the past, and it’s another thing to look at the wrongs of the past.”

Documents obtained under Right to Information laws showed now-convicted pedophile teacher Anthony Alan Le Clerc was moved between four North-West schools amid several scandals and complaints.

Likewise, documents revealed the department knew of repeated accusations against now convicted sex offender Darrel George Harington during his 30-year career, but did nothing to stop him.

Ms Ritchie said despite her concerns, Thursday’s announcement was a historic one and a positive step showing the government’s willingness to help survivors find closure.

amber.wilson@news.com.au