The story is Mr Fox's new book, Walking Towards Thunder, which was launched at East Maitland Bowling Club last night.

Mr Fox was a high-profile and outspoken detective who spent decades investigating sex abuse crimes and cover-up committed by clergy members.

"I began writing for therapy," Mr Fox says.

"I was just putting down random thoughts, but then I saw I was able to put it together."

"It just felt like something I needed to get off my chest.

"It was a story that needed telling - the gravity of the crimes, the reluctance to investigate, the ostracism, the reprisal, the threats."

Pastor Cotton said the way Mr Fox told the story blew him away.

"It is the most detailed approach to the sex crimes committed by the clergy members," Pastor Cotton said.

"You can feel the frustration of the good police, the pain of the victims and the sickening feeling of how deep it went within the church.

"You can see how these horrible crimes were allowed to flourish.

"All that could be felt in the Royal Commission, but this presents it to the public. It breaks it down into layman's terms.

Both men warned that the book is a tough read, but believe it also sends a message that this behaviour cannot happen again.

"The tide is turning, this hints towards a change in culture," Pastor Cotton said.

"Never again can we take our eyes off any institution," Mr Fox added.

Mr Fox said he wanted to dedicate the book to the survivors, but also those who suffered but didn't survive.

"There are so many kids who were abused who went on to take their own lives," he said.

The former officer said many of the survivors had "become like family" to him.

"It's been such a horrid journey, I don't know how it was possible to have met so many beautiful people," he said.

And for that reason, Mr Fox said he knew he had to launch the book in the Hunter region.

"My publisher said I should launch it in Sydney, but I was determined that it should be held here, which was the epicentre of where much of the abuse occurred and was covered up."