Media Release
Shine Lawyers' statement regarding George Pell’s death
10 January 2023
Mental, physical and sexual abuse
The following can be attributed to Lisa Flynn, Shine Lawyers Chief Legal Officer:
Shine Lawyers is progressing a civil claim on behalf of the father of a former choir boy who alleged he was sexually abused by George Pell.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne is also listed as a defendant in this matter.
The claim will continue against the church and whatever estate Pell has left behind.
A civil trial likely would have provided the opportunity to cross-examine Pell, and truly test his defence against these allegations.
There is still a great deal of evidence for this claim to rely on, and the court will be asked in due course to make its ruling on that evidence.
Resources to help you
How to make an institutional abuse claim and the processA trauma informed approach for abuse lawyersHigh Court decision in Bird v DP – implications for survivors of child sexual abuseDeborah’s story: Standing up to turn the tide for veteran suicideFinding justice in a civil court – Balance of Probabilities Explained Magill Youth Detention Centre AbuseGLJ High Court of Australia decision – what it means for survivors of child sexual abuseReporting child sex abuse in Queensland
