SYDNEY: Australian institutions “seriously failed” children in their care with tens of thousands sexually assaulted, the final report from a five-year inquiry said on Friday as it recommended that celibacy among Catholic priests should be voluntary to help curb abuse.

The commission was contacted by more than 15,000 survivors who detailed claims of child abuse involving churches, orphanages, sporting clubs, youth groups and schools, often dating back decades.

It heard horrific stories during often confronting and emotionally exhausting public and private hearings.

In total, more than 4,000 institutions were accused of abuse, with many of them Catholic-managed facilities.

“Tens of thousands of children have been sexually abused in many Australian institutions. We will never know the true number,” the final report said.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2017