JUNE 7 2017
'My father saved my life': Tributes flow for child sex abuse victims' advocate Anthony Foster
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Melissa Cunningham
Thousands paid tribute to child sex abuse campaigner Anthony Foster on Wednesday. Photo: Justin McManus
It was the formidable force of a father's love that spurred Anthony Foster to become a high-profile advocate for child sex abuse victims.
Mr Foster and his wife Chrissie dedicated two decades to seeking justice for sexual abuse victims within the Catholic Church.
Hundreds of people packed into the Melbourne Recital Centre to farewell Mr Foster at a state funeral on Wednesday.
The Fosters became advocates and role models for other families grappling with the turmoil of child sexual abuse and trauma from an inadequate response by the Catholic Church.
Two of the Fosters' daughters, Emma and Katie, were repeatedly raped by disgraced Melbourne priest Kevin O'Donnell while pupils at a primary school in Melbourne's Oakleigh parish.
Mr Foster challenged Cardinal George Pell on many occasions, travelling to Rome in February 2016 to hear Pell give evidence before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Daughter Aimee paid tribute to her dad, saying Mr Foster showed extraordinary courage and grace.
"When he saw those tortured souls we all recognise on the edge of society, in various states of self destruction, I don't doubt he saw his precious babies."
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/my-father-saved-my-life-tributes-flow-for-child-sex-abuse-victims-advocate-anthony-foster-20170606-gwm0dw.html
Anthony Foster's death is a national loss
Joanne McCarthy 28 May 2017
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4691002/the-man-who-was-integrity-personified/
'Goodbye, brave man': Anthony Foster was a fierce advocate, and a friend
By Paul Kennedy 30 May 2017
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-30/we-must-honour-anthony-fosters-legacy/8568602
Many Waks' tribute
The Fosters led the way in demonstrating how effective advocacy should be undertaken. Some things can’t be taught. It’s simply a reflection of who you are as a person. In our community it’s referred to as being a mentch, a decent person. The Fosters defined what being a mentch is. And it is mainly because of this that they were so successful.
The other main reason for the Fosters’ advocacy successes is because their pain was visceral – it came from a place most have never been. Losing two daughters in such brutal circumstances at the hands of one of the most powerful global institutions, the Catholic Church – and then being bullied by the Church while in pursuit of justice and reform – would prevent most people from functioning.
Not only did Anthony and Chrissie continue to function, the impact that they’ve had in Australia (and beyond) has been revolutionary. They have, together with others, ensured a cultural shift in the way our society now addresses the issue of child sexual abuse. Indeed, many of the recent positive developments – culminating in the ground-breaking Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse – may be attributed to some of the tireless work the Fosters have undertaken over many years at great personal cost.
