Warning: This post features details of child sexual abuse that could be triggering for some readers.
The family of one of the boys sexually abused by George Pell have spoken about how their son’s life deteriorated after he was abused.
The boy was one of two choirboys, aged 13 at the time, abused by Pell in the priests’ sacristy at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral in 1996.
His family spoke to journalist Louise Milligan for her book Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell and a Four Corners investigation, which will air on Monday night.
Mamamia’s daily news podcast The Quicky explains the George Pell case.
After the abuse occurred, the boy’s family watched his life spiral out of control.
“He went from being this lovely boy, who used to come to the football with me, who used to go and help his grandparents and helped around the house, to this boy wanting to go out all the time,” his father said.
“His schoolwork, I noticed that it started slipping. His whole attitude changed. His whole being just, he was a different boy.”
A year later, when he was just 14, the boy got into drugs – including heroin.
His habit continued for 15 years. He died in 2014, at 30 years old.
His mother had asked him if he had been a victim of abuse more than once before his death. It was not until a year later, when the other victim made a formal complaint, that she learned what had happened to her son.
When his mother found out about the abuse, she told Milligan she was angry. Angry at her son for not telling her, and angry at the Catholic church.
“I sent my child there – I sent both of my children there – for an education, to be safe. You send your kids to school to be safe. Not to have this done.”
His father said he had mixed emotions about Pell’s trial and conviction.
“I’m glad that it’s over and it gives me an idea of why my son went through hell. Why he did the things he did,” he said.
“And myself, I’m just disgusted. I’m disgusted in the Catholic Church. It’s let people down. It let my son down.”
George Pell was convicted of five counts of child sexual abuse in December. He maintains his innocence and has appealed his conviction.
Louise Milligan’s investigation, Guilty, will air tonight on Four Corners at 8.30pm on ABC TV and iview.
If this post brings up any issues for you, you can contact Bravehearts (an organisation providing support to victims of child abuse) here.
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child you can get advice from the Child Abuse Protection Hotline by calling 1800 688 009, or visiting their website. You can also call the 24- hour Child Abuse Report Line (131 478).
Top Comments
I have a problem with people assuming one instance of arise ruins your life and drives you to drugs. It’s a damaging narrative and it assumes things about this man that is not fair.
I was abused way worse then this and I am a normal functioning adult. These assumptions do more harm then good as it throws shame at you.
Without the assumptions of damage and the shame that goes with it people would speak out more and stop if more often.
Nothing worse then the way people treat you when you tell them you have been abused.
I haven't experienced this, but I do feel it's unfair to compare your experience to someone else's and claim that because yours was worse and you're ok, they should be too. Everyone reacts to things differently, and for some personalities, this singular experience would have been enough to send them on a downward spiral.
It's not a competition about whose hardship was greater or more "worthy" of collateral damage. You don't get to be the judge and jury about the suffering of others. In this case, abuse acted as a catalyst and it ruined a life. In the context of this case, your personal resilience in the face of hardship is irrelevant.
Everybody reacts differently to different things, it's why some people get PTSD from being in war and others don't. It is well know from studies that children who have been abused are at far higher risk of mental illness and substance abuse, that isn't to say that everyone who is abused will experience those things. Just that the risk is higher.
If you look at both victims you can see that for one it lead him towards a path of drugs and self destruction but the other victim sounds as if he was affected very differently. From what the small amount of info about him is out there, he went on to successfully complete uni, have a family etc. It definately helps to know and acknowledge that victims of abuse react differently and you cant make assumptions.