Silence is not Golden

I applaud counsellor Brent Cherry for speaking up against the gagging orders used by the Catholic Church to silence the victims of sexual abuse when they reach out-of court settlements with victims (The Evening Post, May 20). In my experience, these silencing provisions are thrust on victims whose lives are in turmoil from dealing with sexual abuse. They fear that if they do not accept them they will get no help. By misusing its power in this way, the Church doubles the abuse.

https://www.peterellis.org.nz/church/2002/2002-0531_EveningPost_SilenceIsNot.htm