Victorian clergy abuse inquiry extended

Print Page Updated: 11:23:40 PM, Thu 14 February 2013

The deadline for submissions to a Victorian inquiry into child sexual abuse by religious organisations has been extended by several months.

The inquiry was due to report back to parliament by the end of April.

At an inquiry hearing in Geelong on Friday, chair Georgie Crozier said the inquiry had been extended until September 30.

"I always said that our committee was focused on conducting a thorough inquiry and not a hasty inquiry," she said.

The inquiry into religious and non-governmental organisations' handling of child abuse by religious and other non-government organisations is expected to hear from a number of sex abuse victims on Friday.

The hearing is being conducted by the parliament's family and development committee. The inquiry has been holding public hearings since October after receiving hundreds of submissions from victims and church and legal groups.

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