News and media releases

Keep up to date with the latest news and media coverage on Knowmore’s work and advocacy. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Children Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 passes Vic Parliament – religious ministries must now report abuse

Religious and spiritual leaders in Victoria must report child abuse to the authorities, even if it was heard in the confessional, under historic new laws passed in the Victorian Parliament last week.

Victorian Court of Appeal dismisses George Pell’s appeal against child sex abuse convictions

Early today, the Victorian Court of Appeal has dismissed Cardinal George Pell's appeal against his child sex abuse convictions. Pell has lost his appeal by a majority of 2-1 from a panel of three Judges.

George Pell’s appeal against his child sex abuse convictions will be decided on Wed 21 August

George Pell's case has been closely followed by large numbers of survivors of child sexual abuse in Australia and overseas. The final appeal judgment will be handed down on Wednesday, August 21.

Latest institutions to join the National Redress Scheme.

The National Redress Scheme has released an update Latest institutions to join the National Redress Scheme - August 2019.

ABC News: A NSW child sexual abuse survivor and Greens MP call for same legal rights as other states

A New South Wales survivor of child sexual abuse, along with Greens MP David Shoebridge, have called for the state's law to change to allow abuse survivors access to fairer compensation.

Knowmore welcomes lifting deeds of release for abuse survivors

Proposed new legislation is set to be introduced by the Andrews Government in Victoria, which will allow survivors of institutional abuse to apply to the courts to overturn unfair historical compensation payments under new reforms.

George Pell’s appeal case begins today

Today, George's Pell’s lawyers will be seeking permission for the Supreme Court of Victoria to consider his appeal.

Former senior bureaucrat Frank Valentine sentenced to 22 years jail

A former senior Hunter Department of Youth and Community Services manager has been sentenced to 22 years jail for serious child sex offences against six vulnerable teenagers.

Proposed mandatory reporting legislation extending to ministers of religion to be put before WA Parliament

The West Australian Government has announced it will amend the Children and Community Services Act 2004 to require ministers of religion to report child sexual abuse, including where they have gained this knowledge through religious confession. The amendment is yet to pass through the West Australian Parliament.

Latest institutions to join the National Redress Scheme

The National Redress Scheme has released an update Latest institutions to join the National Redress Scheme - May 2019.

Law Week 2019: Hear more about the work of Knowmore

To mark Law Week 2019 (May 13 - May 17), we’ve asked some of the lawyers from our legal team to explain the work of Knowmore and what it is like to work here.

Pope Francis – new directive to instruct compulsory reporting of abuse but not to authorities

Thursday May 9, 2019, Pope Francis issued a papal 'law' obligating officials in the Roman Catholic Church worldwide to report cases of clergy sexual abuse — and attempts to cover it up — to their superiors.