Fresh from celebrating the federal government’s social media ban, which will block access to children under 16, Madeleine West is fighting for a new justice for victims of child abuse – and she’s again looking for South Australia to lead the way.
The high-profile activist and actress was in Adelaide on Tuesday to call for local legislative support to address the High Court’s controversial ruling last week that a priest is not an employee of the church.
The High Court overturned a Victorian Supreme Court order that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ballarat pay $230,000 in damages to a victim of historic child abuse by one of its priests.
Ms West – a survivor of child sexual abuse – visited Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia to lobby for state reforms that would counteract the decision, which she described as “absolutely devastating”.
“For anything to happen on a national level, it needs to start at grassroots and grassroots is state,” said Ms West, who has applauded SA’s leading role in bringing the world-first social media ban into reality.
“We’ve seen South Australia make the initial push to what has been a successful adoption of the bill for a ban on social media for children under the age of 16. Well here’s another opportunity for South Australia to be on the front foot and at the forefront of change that absolutely now needs to happen.
“If the other states are aware that South Australia is doing everything they can to right the wrongs of the past, then naturally it will be a watershed moment and hopefully we’ll see the other states follow through and hopefully it will be an urgent push to be addressed on a national level.”
Ms West was joined in Adelaide by lawyer Andrew Carpenter and members of the Coffs Harbour-based Warriors Advocacy, for which she acts as an ambassador.
The actress, who visits schools to advocate for justice for victims of child abuse, is a survivor herself.
“I don’t want to go into another school and assure a child I am hearing them, they will have justice for what they experienced knowing full well the highest court in the land has demonstrated that victims of this heinous crime historically have no voice and will receive nothing,” she said.
Speaking after their meeting on Tuesday, Mr Tarzia said the Liberal opposition was “open to exploring all avenues, including legislative options, to address current loopholes in the law” and would “continue to work closely with advocates like Ms West to ensure justice is delivered to victims”.
Kate Uren - The Advertiser
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