Review board head eager to see accountability in clerical sexual abuse cases

Suzanne Nixon cares about protecting the vulnerable and promoting healing. 

It’s why she became a registered nurse many years ago and what led her to give a wholehearted yes to becoming the chairwoman of the Archdiocese of Vancouver’s Review Board on clerical sexual abuse cases. 

 “I’m very familiar with patient-centred care, which lends itself well to victim-centred care,” she told The B.C. Catholic. 

“I’m so determined about our message of transparency and accountability.”  

A November 2019 report on sexual abuse by clergy included 31 recommendations to the archdiocese on how to hold perpetrators accountable and improve protections for victims/survivors and vulnerable people. 

Recommendation 2 called for the formation of a review board that would evaluate all allegations of sexual misconduct by clergy “based on principles of accountability, transparency, fairness, and timely communication.” 

Board members (a majority of whom must be lay) are to give victims/survivors a chance to present their allegations. They are also expected to monitor clerics who have been removed from active ministry to make sure they follow the rules imposed on them. The review board replaces the previous Archdiocesan Advisory Committee on Clerical Sexual Misconduct. 

Nixon, a clinical nurse specialist and adjunct professor at UBC’s School of Nursing, said the board has now been established and she is confident it will enhance local efforts to take sexual misconduct allegations seriously.

“For the community, it is a very concrete expression of our willingness to be accountable for the past and what’s happened and to not let this happen again, and to our commitment to find ways to promote abuse victim healing,” she said. 

Due to its sensitive and confidential nature, their work will be largely conducted behind the scenes and in camera, but “we’re all part of helping victims come forward.” 

The board chaired by Suzanne Nixon is served by Gwendoline Allison, Father Gary Franken, Bruce Fraser, Lawrence Ho, Kristal Low, Mary Margaret McKinnon and Sarah Ruggier. 

Nixon calls them a “very strong, talented group of people who are very knowledgeable about the law and how to make decisions and act in the best interest of the victims.” 

“I would say that’s where their commitment lies.” 

Allegations of abuse or misconduct by a priest in the archdiocese are first received by an independent office of counsellors who are professionally trained and trauma informed. They receive allegations with compassion, document all information in writing, and immediately report all claims involving children to the police. 

That group passes allegations on to the review board which reviews the facts of every allegation and decides what steps should be taken.  

Nixon said that means considering the interests of the victim/survivor, canon law, the Archdiocese’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, and any other factors. 

Read the archdiocese’s latest report on its handling of clergy abuse here. 

If you or someone you know has experienced clergy sexual abuse, the archdiocese encourages you to report it and take a step towards the healing and care you deserve, no matter how long ago the abuse may have occurred. 

To report abuse by a clergy member in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, call (604) 363-7338 or 1-800-968-3146. When you call, you can share your experience, explore counselling options, and get help in reporting the abuse to the appropriate authorities. 

To report abuse by a member of a religious order, lay employee, or volunteer in the archdiocese, visit www.rcav.org/reporting for contact details. 

Related: