SUBM.1036.007.0001
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ROYAL COMMISSION INTO INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSES INTO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
AT HOBART
THE RESPONSES OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND BOY'S SOCIETY AND THE ANGLICAN DIOCESES OF
TASMANIA, ADELAIDE, BRISBANE AND SYDNEY TO ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
CASE STUDY 36
SUBMISSIONS ON BEHALF OF PETER FRANCIS
1.
Peter Francis was a leader in the Church of England Boys Society (CEBS) in Tasmania in 1987.
In March 1987} he became aware that BYM, BYG and Brett Skipper had all alleged that they
had been sexually abused by Lou Daniels (Daniels). As a result of these allegations, Mr
Francis facilitated the disclosure of the abuse to Reverend David Hayman, and was also
present during an initial meeting between BYG and Bishop Newell where the abuse was
discussed.
2.
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Despite playing an integral role in the initial disclosures to Bishop Newell and being
erroneously named a victim of Daniels in a number of documents prepared by Bishop Newell
in relation to the 1987 meetings, Mr Francis was not contacted by the Commission to give
evidence. Mr Francis ultimately learnt of the matters the subject of Case Study 36, and his
involvement in those matters, through family and friends who were following the hearing.
3.
As a result of the above, Mr Francis provided a statement at short notice from the United
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Kingdom on 1 February 2016. In his statement, Mr Francis gave evidence, principally, in
relation to the circumstances in which he became aware of the allegations made by BYM,
BYG and Brett Skipper, and how he facilitated the disclosure of those allegations to
Reverend David Hayman and subsequently Bishop Newell.
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Exhibit 36-0029,Statement of P A Francis STAT 0846.001.000l_R at [ 1]
Exhibit 36-0029,Statement of P A Francis STAT 0846.001.0001_R
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4.
Mr Frands adopts and endorses the submissions of Counsel Assisting the Commission.
5.
In addition to the submissions of Counsel Assisting, Mr Francis wishes to note the following
matters:
a)
The content of Mr Francis's statement was not tested by cross examination and
therefore should be accepted in its entiret/;
b)
Mr Francis's account as set out in his statement is corroborated by the accounts of
Sue Clayton and BYG;4
c)
At no time during Mr Francis's interactions with Bishop Newell did he observe
Bishop Newell to facilitate or encourage police involvemene;
d) At no stage did he ever allude or indicate that he himself was a victim of sexual
abuse;
e)
Mr Francis was present at the initial meeting between BYG and Bishop Newell and
witnessed BYG disclose the names of BYM and Brett Skipper as the other two victims
of Daniels.
6.
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Impact of the disclosures
It was clear from the evidence adduced from a number of witnesses in Case Study 36 that
the process of revealing such a dark and disturbing episode in the history of the church has
had an intense emotional impact on those witnesses and others. Indeed, Mr Francis
describes the sense of disbelief and insult that he and others felt at the news of Daniels'
promotion to Archdeacon only a short time after the disclosures of abuse. Further, he
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Reference Transcript Clelland SC day (146) correctly
Exhibit 36-0014, Statement of Sue Clayton, STAT.0841.001.001_R, Exhibit 36-0010, Statement of BYG,
0845.001.0001 R
Exhibit 36 -0029, Statement of Peter Francis, STAT.0846.001.0001_R at [6]
Exhibit 36-0029, Statement of Peter Francis, STAT.0846.001.001_R at [4]
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describes his own deep sense of loss following the suicide of survivor Brett Skipper and the
associated anger that Skipper is not alive to tell his story.
Mr Francis endorses Finding 47 for its recommendation for an apology from the CEBS
National Council to the survivors whose lives have been indelibly scarred by this horrific
abuse. It is submitted, however, that an apology is also warranted to all those who
attempted to disclose and stop the culture of sexual abuse but whose efforts were
frustrated by a culture of power and cover up. Finally, it is submitted that such an apology
should also come from the Anglican Church of Tasmania and should not be limited to the
CEBS National Council.
Moya O'Brien