MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Connie Crayden Sets The Record Straight On Her Past With Bryce From 'Married At First Sight'

Connie Crayden Sets The Record Straight On Her Past With Bryce From 'Married At First Sight'

12 Times The Royal Family Seemingly Used Fashion To Convey A Hidden Message

12 Times The Royal Family Seemingly Used Fashion To Convey A Hidden Message

Six Prominent Prominent Australians On What Fuels Them In The Fight For The Future

What Women Want

Rumour Has It, Bella Varelis And The New 'Bachelor' Jimmy Nicholson Were Once An Item

Rumour Has It, Bella Varelis And The New 'Bachelor' Jimmy Nicholson Were Once An Item

{headline}

{headline}

11 Australian Beauty Brands Founded By Inspiring Women To Shop Now

11 Australian Beauty Brands Founded By Inspiring Women To Shop Now

Every Cast Member From Netflix's 'Moxie' That You Should Be Following On Instagram

Every Cast Member From Netflix's 'Moxie' That You Should Be Following On Instagram

25 Fashion Brands Founded By Powerhouse Australian Women You May Not Know About

25 Fashion Brands Founded By Powerhouse Australian Women You May Not Know About

{headline}

{headline}

Meghan Markle Accuses "The Firm" Of "Perpetuating Falsehoods" About Her In Explosive New Clip

Meghan Markle Accuses "The Firm" Of "Perpetuating Falsehoods" About Her In Explosive New Clip

Your Weekly Horoscopes Are Here! March 5th - March 11th

Your Weekly Horoscopes Are Here! March 5th - March 11th

Behold The Kardashian Dragon, Dressed Head-To-Toe In Custom SKIMS

Behold The Kardashian Dragon, Dressed Head-To-Toe In Custom SKIMS

Buckingham Palace Has Launched An Investigation Into Meghan Markle Bullying Allegations

Buckingham Palace Has Launched An Investigation Into Meghan Markle Bullying Allegations

Australia, Prepare The Roses! Meet Your New Bachelor, Jimmy Nicholson

Australia, Prepare The Roses! Meet Your New Bachelor, Jimmy Nicholson

So, For Once, Australia Is In Agreement Over 'MAFS' Yearly Cheating Scandal?

So, For Once, Australia Is In Agreement Over 'MAFS' Yearly Cheating Scandal?

The Most Shocking, Candid And Revealing Royal Interviews Of All Time

The Most Shocking, Candid And Revealing Royal Interviews Of All Time

  1. Home
  2. News

An Important Message To Abuse Survivors In The Wake Of The George Pell Ruling

We believe you. We support you. We stand beside you. - by Alley Pascoe
  • 07 Apr 2020
An Important Message To Abuse Survivors In The Wake Of The George Pell Ruling

Three words are trending on Twitter right now: devastating, disgraceful and Pell.

When we found out the High Court of Australia had overturned Cardinal George Pell’s conviction for historic child sexual abuse charges, we were - understandably - devastated and disgraced. Clearly, so was the rest of Australia. 

Our thoughts are with every single abuse survivor today. Please know: we believe you, we support you, we stand beside you.

It is important to note that Pell was convicted by a jury in 2018 for abusing two choirboys in the 1990s based on the credibility of the witness - and he was let off by the arguments of lawyers on a point of law. The High Court judgment found there was not enough evidence to convict Pell and acquitted him of his charges. Every court who heard the survivor give evidence, convicted Pell; the High Court was the first court that didn't view that evidence.

Dr Liz Allen on Twitter

The judgment is a stinging slap in the face to the survivors, witnesses, investigative journalists and lawyers involved in the case, plus the jury who found Pell guilty and Chief Judge Peter Kidd who oversaw the trial and delivered the sentence.

The judgment is a sickening, head-shaking reminder that the law defines legal fact, not truth.

The judgment is an eye-rolling example of how privilege and power trump justice.

However, the judgment doesn’t detract from the bravery and strength of those who’ve spoken out against Pell and his crimes.

Dan Andrews on Twitter

Today, our thoughts are with the two unnamed choirboys at the centre of Pell’s trial, one of who lost his life in 2014 aged 31, as a result of the heroin addiction he battled from the age of 14.

Today, our thoughts are with Lyndon Monument, who was one of the first survivors to come forward with sexual abuse allegations against Pell.

Today, our thoughts are with Pell complainant Damian Dignan, who died just before his 48th birthday and before the Pell trial started.

Today, our thoughts are with the survivors who are pursuing civil cases against Pell – and all the survivors who are unable to speak their truth.

In the words of journalist Lucie Morris-Marr, who has covered the Pell case from the beginning, “My deep fear is this judgment will stop those with allegations of child abuse coming forward. It’s a devastating day for witness J in this case. The judgment effectively believed the word of the powerful man.”

Regardless of the court judgment, the court of public support is standing firmly beside survivors.

On Twitter, Four Corners reporter Louise Milligan wrote, “Decent Australians will think with kindness today of vulnerable men who were brave. They won’t forget.”

Fellow journalist Van Badham added, “Dear survivors, we are with you. We will stay with you. We believe you. We are you.”

And author Andrew P Street wrote, “To all survivors: You’re heard. You’re believed. You’re seen. Your bravery is astonishing. Your strength is formidable. I’m so, so sorry for what you’re going through today.”

Along with ‘devastating’ and ‘disgraceful,’ we want to see ‘solidarity’ trending on Twitter today.

Louise Milligan on Twitter

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or beyondblue 1300 224 636.

  • News
  • Crime
  • Health
Alley Pascoe
Alley Pascoe
Alley Pascoe is marie claire’s Acting Features Editor and resident country music fan. She spends her days interviewing inspirational women, including career highlights Kasey Chambers, Serena Williams and Julia Roberts (for seven minutes on the phone).

6 issues for $35 -

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
6 issues for $35

6 issues for $35 -

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
6 issues for $35

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Connie Crayden Sets The Record Straight On Her Past With Bryce From 'Married At First Sight'

Connie Crayden Sets The Record Straight On Her Past With Bryce From 'Married At First Sight'

12 Times The Royal Family Seemingly Used Fashion To Convey A Hidden Message

12 Times The Royal Family Seemingly Used Fashion To Convey A Hidden Message

Six Prominent Prominent Australians On What Fuels Them In The Fight For The Future

What Women Want

Rumour Has It, Bella Varelis And The New 'Bachelor' Jimmy Nicholson Were Once An Item

Rumour Has It, Bella Varelis And The New 'Bachelor' Jimmy Nicholson Were Once An Item

{headline}

{headline}

11 Australian Beauty Brands Founded By Inspiring Women To Shop Now

11 Australian Beauty Brands Founded By Inspiring Women To Shop Now

Every Cast Member From Netflix's 'Moxie' That You Should Be Following On Instagram

Every Cast Member From Netflix's 'Moxie' That You Should Be Following On Instagram

25 Fashion Brands Founded By Powerhouse Australian Women You May Not Know About

25 Fashion Brands Founded By Powerhouse Australian Women You May Not Know About

{headline}

{headline}

Meghan Markle Accuses "The Firm" Of "Perpetuating Falsehoods" About Her In Explosive New Clip

Meghan Markle Accuses "The Firm" Of "Perpetuating Falsehoods" About Her In Explosive New Clip

Your Weekly Horoscopes Are Here! March 5th - March 11th

Your Weekly Horoscopes Are Here! March 5th - March 11th

Behold The Kardashian Dragon, Dressed Head-To-Toe In Custom SKIMS

Behold The Kardashian Dragon, Dressed Head-To-Toe In Custom SKIMS

Buckingham Palace Has Launched An Investigation Into Meghan Markle Bullying Allegations

Buckingham Palace Has Launched An Investigation Into Meghan Markle Bullying Allegations

Australia, Prepare The Roses! Meet Your New Bachelor, Jimmy Nicholson

Australia, Prepare The Roses! Meet Your New Bachelor, Jimmy Nicholson

So, For Once, Australia Is In Agreement Over 'MAFS' Yearly Cheating Scandal?

So, For Once, Australia Is In Agreement Over 'MAFS' Yearly Cheating Scandal?

The Most Shocking, Candid And Revealing Royal Interviews Of All Time

The Most Shocking, Candid And Revealing Royal Interviews Of All Time

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

6 issues for $35 -

Shop This Offer
6 issues for $35