Content Warning: This episode discusses child sexual abuse, grooming, institutional betrayal, organised crime, and the impacts of clergy-perpetrated violence. The focus is particularly on the Anglican Paedophile Network, which was operating in Newcastle, Australia. Listener discretion is advised. Support services are listed below in the show notes (along with the Royal Commission redress scheme).
Crimes of the Cross - "The Anglican Paedophile Network of Newcastle, Its Protectors and the Man Who Fought for Justice" with Author Anne Manne
This is an unforgettable story of courage in the face of unthinkable evil.
In this deeply moving and thought-provoking episode, I’m honoured to speak with acclaimed author Anne Manne about her powerful book:
Crimes of the Cross: The Anglican Paedophile Network of Newcastle, Its Protectors and the Man Who Fought For Justice
Anne’s writing unflinchingly documents the decades-long cover-up of child sexual abuse within the Anglican Church in Newcastle in Australia, and the brave survivors who refused to stay silent.
Anne’s depth of insight, compassion, and clarity made this a conversation I’ll never forget.
Crimes of the Cross uncovers how a sophisticated paedophile network operated within the Church, shielded by parishioners, clergy, and a complicit pastoral community.
At the centre of this story is Steve Smith, a survivor whose courage in the face of betrayal and harm helped expose and bring these powerful perpetrators to justice.
Thank you, Steve, and others, for sharing your story with Anne, who then wrote this incredible book.
Drawing from years of research and interviews with survivors, police, clergy, and community members, Anne reframes child sexual abuse not just as an individual crime, but as an institutional and networked system of sexual abuse, exploitation and cover-ups.
This episode explores:
* Grooming and child sexual abuse
* The dynamics of institutional complicity and silence
* How abuse networks protect themselves from exposure
* The toll for survivors
* Why we must understand child sexual abuse as systemic, not isolated
This is an unforgettable conversation about truth-telling, justice, and the power of bearing witness.
Ending with Steve’s words
If it’s wrong, it's wrong, and you just got to keep on fighting
Guest Bio Anne Manne
Anne Manne is an Australian writer. She taught in the Politics Department of Melbourne and La Trobe University before becoming a full-time writer. A former columnist for The Australian and The Age, she has written many longer essays about contemporary culture. Her books include Motherhood, a finalist in the Walkey award for the best non-fiction book and the Westfield Waverly award for research, a Quarterly Essay: Love and Money; The Family and The Free Market, and the bestselling The Life of I: the new culture of narcissism, shortlisted for the Queensland Premier's prize for a non-fiction book.
Her new book is Crimes of the Cross; The Anglican Paedophile Network of Newcastle, Its Protectors and the Man who Fought for Justice, longlisted for 2024 Mark & Evette Moran NIB Literary Award and the 2024 Australian Political Book of the Year, finalist in the 2024 Walkley national book awards for Best Non-Fiction book, and shortlisted for The Age Best Non-Fiction book of 2024, and the Davitt Award for best non-fiction book, and one of Spotify's ANZ Editor's Picks for 2024, Best Audiobooks: True Crime category.
National Redress Scheme for Survivors of Institutional Abuse in Australia
https://www.nationalredress.gov.au
Royal Commission reports.
https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/redress-and-civil-litigation
Support Hotlines:
Link to all support hotlines in NSW, Australia: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/Pages/support-contact-list.aspx
Link to USA hotlines:
https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines
Contact me:
https://www.jaimesimpsoncounselling.au
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