
Warning: This post features details of child sexual abuse that could be triggering for some readers.
The family of one of the boys sexually abused by George Pell have spoken about how their son’s life deteriorated after he was abused.
The boy was one of two choirboys, aged 13 at the time, abused by Pell in the priests’ sacristy at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral in 1996.
His family spoke to journalist Louise Milligan for her book Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell and a Four Corners investigation, which will air on Monday night.
Mamamia’s daily news podcast The Quicky explains the George Pell case.
After the abuse occurred, the boy’s family watched his life spiral out of control.
“He went from being this lovely boy, who used to come to the football with me, who used to go and help his grandparents and helped around the house, to this boy wanting to go out all the time,” his father said.
“His schoolwork, I noticed that it started slipping. His whole attitude changed. His whole being just, he was a different boy.”
A year later, when he was just 14, the boy got into drugs – including heroin.
His habit continued for 15 years. He died in 2014, at 30 years old.
His mother had asked him if he had been a victim of abuse more than once before his death. It was not until a year later, when the other victim made a formal complaint, that she learned what had happened to her son.