The Forrest Tennis Club will not be eligible for any ACT Government grants or in-kind support until it joins the National Redress Scheme for child abuse victims, under a sanctions policy that came into effect this week.
“I strongly encourage [the Club] to join the Scheme so that survivors can access the redress they deserve,” said Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury.
In 2020, former Forrest Tennis Club coach John Walter Cattle, 85, received a two-year suspended prison sentence for sex offences against two girls in the 1980s.
However, the club has not taken responsibility for the child abuse either publicly, or privately in correspondence with the victims, the ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner, Heidi Yates, said last year.
More, the club had refused to join the National Redress Scheme, Ms Yates said. The Scheme acknowledges that many children were sexually abused in Australian institutions, holds institutions accountable for that abuse, and helps survivors of institutional child sexual abuse access counselling, a direct personal response (such as an apology), and a Redress payment.
Two victim-survivors whom Mr Cattle abused said last year the club “failed to demonstrate any accountability or responsibility”, “despite knowing that crimes were committed on their premises more than 30 years ago, and despite a criminal conviction of their contracted coach”.
“The club has a duty to protect children under their care,” the victim-survivors said in a statement. “It has failed to demonstrate any intention of meeting this obligation.
“This failure is not only a disincentive to other victims of child sexual abuse. It also indicates a disturbing and prevailing culture within the club with respect to child protection. “
On Thursday, the ACT Government strengthened its sanctions policy to encourage non-government institutions to join the National Redress Scheme. As soon as the Commonwealth sanctions the institution, the ACT can consider imposing sanctions, Mr Rattenbury said. The new policy allows the ACT Government to be transparent and public in its sanctioning of institutions.
The ACT Government can:
• remove its support by rendering the NGI ineligible for future ACT Government grants or in-kind support and withdraw any grant or in-kind support; and
• publicly name the NGI after the Commonwealth Government has publicly named it.
The Forrest Tennis Club was the first institution named under the new legislation.
“It is important that non-government institutions (NGIs) that decline or delay their participation in the Scheme are subject to appropriate consequences,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“If they fail to uphold their moral obligation to join the Scheme, the ACT Government will consider imposing sanctions on non-participating NGIs on a case-by-case basis.”
Ms Yates, victim-survivors, and their families warmly welcomed the ACT Government’s sanctioning of the Forrest Tennis Club, she said.
“Victim-survivors simply want to see the abuse acknowledged. They want to be assured that the club is taking all reasonable steps to protect current and future young players; and they want the club to demonstrate their commitment to the safety of players by joining the National Redress Scheme.
“The Canberra community has the right to expect that any sporting organisation in such a position would acknowledge past wrongs, and work hard to implement child-safe standards, to minimise the possibility of any other child ever being harmed.
“Forrest Tennis Club’s ongoing delay in joining the scheme is extremely concerning. It sends a disturbing message to any parent, child or young person currently involved in the club.
“Forrest Tennis Club has failed to even acknowledge the abuse that took place at the club some 40 years ago. In doing so, it is perpetuating a culture of secrecy and denial that is simply unacceptable in a local community organisation.
“I find it hard to imagine anyone choosing the club, as a club of choice for their children, when they continue to demonstrate such disregard for past criminal conduct and abuses.
“Over 60 institutions in the ACT have already joined the scheme and in doing so, have clearly indicated their support for survivors of sexual abuse, and the importance of ensuring their institutions are safe for young people.
“I call on all members of Forrest Tennis Club to reflect on the role they can play in recognising the suffering individuals have endured, and to provide victim-survivors with ready access to counselling, an apology and a recognition payment through the scheme.”
Canberra Daily emailed Forrest Tennis Club for comment on Thursday, but has not received a response.
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