Craig Brereton, Safeguarding Coordinator for the Diocese of Townsville, helps change the Catholic Church

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At the heart of the Catholic Diocese of Townsville is a man who shapes the system from the inside out. Craig Brereton is not a priest, but he has become a pillar of support for victims of child abuse within the institution and has helped bring many perpetrators to justice.

At the heart of the Catholic Diocese of Townsville is a man who shapes the system from the inside out.

Craig Brereton is not very well known, he is not a religious figure or a priest, but he has become a pillar of support for victims of child abuse on the premises of the institution.

Mr. Brereton has been closely involved in exposing well-known Catholic identities, including Neville Creen, and most recently helped a teenager file a police complaint against an old Townsville church identity.

His behind-the-scenes work is making waves in the Catholic space of North Queensland, but the father, former butcher and staunch child safety advocate has dedicated his life to others for years.

START OF CHANGE

Mr. Brereton, a father of five, spent 18 years working in the field of child protection and homelessness before the unexpected move to the Catholic Diocese.

Her shift came about four years ago after a friend showed her a job offer for a ‘backup coordinator’.

Bishop Tim Harris had just taken the reins of Townsville as the Royal Commission of the Catholic Church ended, and this role was one of the first steps in implementing a change in the culture of the institution.

“I thought no, I was pretty happy where I was, but then she encouraged me to meet the bishop,” Mr. Brereton said.

“I was so impressed with his opinions, he seemed to me to be a person who really understood what to do.”

It was the beginning of a gradual new beginning for the diocese and the end for many child molesters hiding in the shadows.

WORK

Mr. Brereton is the first point of appeal for victims of abuse within the church.

From historic abuse in Mount Isa to current allegations of child exploitation within the Catholic education system, he has heard it all.

It is his job to work closely with the Townsville Child Protection and Investigation Unit, as well as other agencies, to assist in the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

“These people have incredibly difficult and often thankless jobs and the more we, as members of the community, can work with them to protect our most vulnerable, the better. “

There were cases that stuck to her mind, including the story of Kathleen Walsh being abused as a girl by Priest Neville Creen in the 1970s.

Kathleen told people about the abuse, but no one helped her.

Since then, new laws have come into force that make it a criminal offense for any adult to fail to report child abuse to the police.

Another part of Mr. Brereton’s role is to ensure that the rules are respected and to maintain a safeguard policy and solid systems within the diocese.

“I have seen the lifelong trauma that historic child sexual abuse can have on victims and survivors and how beautiful children who so innocently trusted have been abused and betrayed by people in positions of authority.

“You need to empower children to speak up when they are worried. What they are doing behind closed doors or in individual situations we cannot know. But we have to make sure we give them a voice and walk with them. “

DAD’S LEGACY

Mr. Brereton credits his drive and passion to his now 90-year-old father who was very involved in volunteer work and helped the Townsville community.

Now a dad himself, he’s grateful for his own upbringing which helped him through some of the darkest times of his life, including when his four-month-old son Lochie passed away from illness.

“I recognize how difficult and complex it can be to raise a family and how grateful I am for my own education and the support network I take for granted.

“My motivation, to help these children where I can, remains as strong as it was when I volunteered with at-risk youth over 20 years ago.

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

The Church has come a long way since Mr. Brereton’s appointment, but he says there is still a long way to go.

“My point is that because of the horrific past of the Catholic Church and its mismanagement of cases of child sexual abuse, the Church… has had to question itself.

“But Bishop Harris himself says we need to ensure that protection is built into all areas, including Catholic education, child care, social services, our parishes and ministries.”

He has a strong message for potential abusers.

“If you try something, you will be taken.”

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