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Building Trust To Tackle Sexual Abuse

NO one doubts the competence and integrity of Supreme Court Judge Ted Mullighan.
The State Government could not have found anyone in South Australia more appropriate to head the Commission of Inquiry into the sexual abuse of children under the care of the state.
The commission, which will begin sitting later this year, has the wide- ranging powers necessary to fully and openly flush out the solutions to this highly sensitive and serious issue. An inquiry which, in the end, leaves more questions than it provides answers would be useless and damaging.
But the Opposition Leader, Rob Kerin, makes a serious point when he argues that someone from outside South Australia - perhaps a retired judge or eminent QC - would be more appropriate to bead the inquiry.
Some of the victims who come forward will have horrific stories of institutionalised sexual abuse while under state care.
They may be wary of anyone who is associated, even subliminally, with Government, broader community authority or the so- called Adelaide establishment. In short, they may not trust the system which is trying to win them justice.
Mr Mullighan will have to use all of his personal and professional skills to make these victims feel comfortable and confident in the strictly formal confines of a court room - the very bastion of establishment Adelaide.
This Commission of Inquiry must not become a legal haven for the suspected perpetrators of these alleged sexual abuses.
They must not be able to slip through the net using technicality and legal loophole. It must be an inquiry which, above all else, protects the rights and claims of abuse victims.
This is the basic challenge confronting Mr Justice Mullighan.

Adelaide Advertiser (21-7-2004)
Editorial