Survivors of child sexual abuse and their supporters hung ribbons on the fence of a Perth church today in a display of solidarity ahead of Cardinal George Pell's funeral in Sydney later this week.
"Today's a trigger," said survivor Pamela Moore, who then paused as she was overcome with emotion at an event outside St Mary's Catholic Church in the WA capital.
Streams of colourful ribbons, tied to the church fence to acknowledge survivors of child sexual abuse, floated in the wind behind her.
"I think the ribbons represent their innocence," she said.
Ms Moore was part of a group of survivors and their supporters who gathered outside the Perth cathedral as the Catholic church prepares for the funeral of Cardinal George Pell in Sydney on Thursday.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia found Pell was aware of child abuse by clergy in the 1970s but failed to take appropriate action.
The Cardinal said at the time the findings were "not supported by evidence."
Jarrod Luscombe said Cardinal Pell's death had been difficult for survivors.
"I know for many survivors, including myself, that hearing of Pell's death, certainly was triggering," Mr Luscombe said.
"And talking to many survivors, they have had a real struggle in the last couple of weeks."
The act of hanging ribbons on church fences has become a way of showing solidarity with victims of institutional child sexual abuse following the royal commission and conviction of paedophile priest Gerald Francis Ridsdale in Ballarat, Victoria.
Mr Luscombe said the ribbons also give voice to the stories of those who are unable to speak up themselves.
"So many of them suffer in silence for so very long — for most of their lives — and the adverse effects on their health is detrimental," he said.
"So we want to really bring this to the forefront so the public are fully aware that the amount of childhood sex abuse survivors out there [is] massive.
"We need to find better ways to be able to help the survivors."
People first started hanging ribbons as part of the LOUD Fence Inc initiative in Ballarat.
This week, ribbons tied to the fence outside St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney were removed multiple times.
Survivor Paul Auchettl told ABC Ballarat he thought they were being removed by either employees of the church or "staunch supporters of George Pell who believe we are desecrating the church".
Mr Auchettl said people tying ribbons had received verbal and physical threats from Cardinal Pell's supporters.
In Perth, Father Sean Fernandez came out of St Mary's Cathedral to speak to survivors who were tying ribbons on the fence on Tuesday.
Mr Fernandez, the Dean of the cathedral, said clergy would respect the memorial and remained committed to working toward justice and making the church a safer place.
He described child sexual abuse as a "stain" on the Catholic Church's history.
"If anyone does anything wrong [now], there's no tolerance," he said.
He said church leaders in Perth had prayed for Cardinal Pell's soul but there would not be a celebration of his life like the funeral in Sydney.
It will not be a state funeral, but a statement from Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral Dean, Father Don Richardson, said it would be "one of the most significant funerals" ever held there.
"Here it's not that same celebration, we have mentioned Cardinal Pell and prayed for his repose as we do for anyone," Mr Ferndandez said.
"And leave the rest to the judgement of God and try to be here for those that are hurting. That's our priority."
Ms Moore said there should be "no more silence" about historical crimes.
"My heart goes out to all survivors, those that haven't made it, and those that are still struggling," Ms Moore said.
"We have to address that and never forget it."
