Terry Carter, victim of convicted sex abuser in Catholic Church Alan Woodcock, wants official investigation
26 June 2004 A call for an official investigation into child sex abuse by members of the Catholic clergy.
It comes as former priest Alan Woodcock begins a seven-year jail sentence relating to 21 charges of sexual offending, to which he had earlier pleaded guilty.
One of Woodcock's victims, Terry Carter, has waived his right to name suppression.
He wants an independent inquiry to look into whether or not the Church is still 'harbouring' abusers.
He says Woodcock's abuse totally devastated him and his fight for recognition of what happened has left him exhausted.
The Church denies any suggestion it covers up abuse.
Spokeswoman Lyndsay Freer says there are now systems in place to properly deal with any allegations that come up.
Meanwhile, the man in charge of preparing the case against Alan Woodcock is confident he could not get away with his offending today.
Detective Sergeant Murray Porter says it is unlikely in today's climate that his offending would go unreported.
Murray Porter will not discuss victims' claims the was a cover-up by the Catholic Church, although he says he will be taking another look at the case.
