Public doubt around verdict may deter victims from seeking justice, says head of child sexual abuse legal service

The head of a child sexual abuse legal service has slammed commentators who have publicly doubted the verdict in the George Pell trial, warning it sends an “incredibly damaging message to survivors”.

On Thursday Warren Strange, the executive officer of Knowmore legal service, told a parliamentary inquiry he expects the “unprecedented” publicity around the Pell case to drive a spike in claims but media commentary doubting the verdict may deter victims from seeking justice.