Australia has opened public hearings into cases of institutional child abuse in churches and other public institutions amid allegations against several organizations.
Chief commissioner Justice Peter McClellan said on Monday that thousands of people have so far reported abuse in places of worship, orphanages, community groups and schools.
“It is now well known that the sexual abuse of children has been widespread in the Australian community; however, the full range of institutions in which it has occurred is not generally understood,” McClellan stated.
“Many of the stories we are hearing will shock many people”.
