Victims of paedophile priests Denis McAlinden and James Fletcher have come forward to report historic abuse as recently as the last two months.
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On the final day of public hearings, Zimmerman Services healing and support co-ordinator Maureen O’Hearn said she knew of 28 victims of McAlinden and more had come forward during the eight-week special commission of inquiry.
Ms O’Hearn said the earliest report of abuse by McAlinden was in 1949 and the latest 1986.
She said victims had come forward from as far away as New Zealand and interstate.
Ms O’Hearn, who facilitates counselling referrals of victims and assists them going to police, has worked closely with Strike Force Georgiana – a Hunter sexual abuse task force that had resulted in 11 people being charged with 440 offences involving 110 victims .
“The police would be my greatest referrer,” Ms O’Hearn said.
She said victims carry an “undeserved sense of shame and embarrassment” that should be met with compassion and understanding in their journey towards healing.
“It’s a lifelong journey,” Ms O’Hearn told the inquiry.
“Some people don’t have the strength to make that journey, which ends in suicide ... the abuse will never go away and can’t be undone.”
She said some victims are able to live with the abuse but it always has the potential to be triggered off by everyday life. The inquiry heard victims are initially offered five free sessions of introductory counselling by the diocese.
Ms O’Hearn said the Maitland Newcastle Catholic Diocese, including former Bishop Michael Malone and current Bishop William Wright were and continue to be supportive of her requests and initiatives.
In her experience, she said any fear of repercussions from the church is “ill-founded”. She said the church now operated on a “blanket” approach to report every matter to police.
Maitland Newcastle Bishop William Wright was the final witness to give evidence on Thursday.
During his brief cross examination, the bishop said the church is continually improving on services to assist sexual abuse victims with transparency and openness.
Outside the Newcastle Supreme Court he told awaiting media he believed the inquiry was a “land mark occasion”.
In her closing statements to the court counsel assisting the inquiry, Julia Lonergan SC, said more than 100 hearings had been conducted in the course of the inquiry and 41 witnesses have given evidence.
Commissioner Margaret Cunneen expressed gratitude to counsellors, witnesses, members of the public, the media and survivors of sexual abuse who had attended the inquiry. She is expected to report her findings to the Governor on September 30.
