Julia Gillard launches Royal Commission into child sex abuse
The historic inquiry will be the country's most extensive investigation into institutional abuse and will have wide-ranging powers to call witnesses and unearth evidence.
The prime minister has come under pressure to act following explosive claims late last week by a senior police officer that the Catholic Church covered up evidence of paedophilia by priests.
Stipulating that she was not seeking to single out an individual church, Ms Gillard said the commission will consider the role of all Australian religious organisations, non-profit groups, child welfare agencies and the response of the police.
"There have been too many revelations of adults who have averted their eyes from this evil," she said.
"The allegations that have come to light recently about child sexual abuse have been heartbreaking. These are insidious, evil acts to which no child should be sub...
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director