Therapeutic care celebrated, Catholic Church facing more accusations, increasing domestic violence reports and more…
Last Friday the 7.30 Report featured a piece celebrating the success of the Therapeutic Respite Care pilot programs, drawing on the Verso Consulting report commissioned by the Centre.
The Banyule and Nillumbik weekly used the inspiring story of Mavis and Doug Corkhill to raise awareness of the declining numbers of foster carers in Australia. This piece reinforces the findings of the Centre’s Foster Care Communications and Recruitment Strategy, which was launched last week and can be found here
Four Corners has accused the Catholic Church of turning a blind eye to child abuse, and backed calls for an inquiry into the extent of the crimes, and assessment of programs provided to support victims.
Cardinal George Pell claimed that no specific admissions were ever made, and the evidence given to Four Corners was not an accurate account of the 1992 meeting.
The Catholic Archbishop of Armidale, Michael Kennedy, declared that he is appointing an independent investigator to review the latest accusations.
Prayers offered at a Sydney mass have been described as an “empty gesture” by a spokesperson for victims of abuse within the church.
Calls were made to investigate the three priests who failed to inform police of the confession reported by Four Corners.
The Fairfax newspapers reported on the recently commenced income management trial in Shepparton, where state child protective services required to report cases where they believe children are being neglected or are at risk. David Tennant, CEO of FamilyCare, stated his belief that there was value in voluntary income management, but “taking a person’s control of their money away from them went against the normal approach of organisations such as this”.
The Herald Sun reported that Victorian courts are struggling to deal with a dramatic increase in family violence cases. Chief Magistrate Ian Gray stated that family violence and intervention order applications have risen by 48 per cent in the last five years, while the number of charges increased by 300 per cent.
Sandi de Wolf of Berry Street said that growing condemnation of domestic violence, combined with the requirement for police to complete a Family Violence Report, has resulted in reported cases to her service rising from 50 to 350 per month. She called for an increase in the services available – especially for children.
Finally, Jenny Macklin visited UnitingCare Broadmeadows to explain the new participation requirements for jobless families.
