Those institutional leaders habituated to covering-up allegations of child sexual abuse will develop false narratives that they use to justify their actions. They use these ‘greater good’ narratives to co-opt others to participate but also legitimise the intimidation of those who might break ranks. Cover-ups involve actions and omissions.

The reasons for cover-ups are many and varied. Leaders may feel compelled to protect their personal, professional or institutional interests, but it may also be about avoiding work.

When working at a leading public hospital in Tasmania I saw executives use a siege mentality to justify the destruction of official complaints from young female nurses about a senior doctor who was sexually assaulting them and issuing death threats. When I inquired on behalf of these victims I was ostracised and threatened with termination. Curiously the senior doctor involved was promoted to be the Head of Department. Later when reflecting on the conspiracy needed to hide this most egregious professional misconduct I concluded that the Hospital Executive had gone along with the ‘greater good’ narrative believing such scandals would erode the standing of the hospital and make it more susceptible to being eclipsed by competing services in the capital. These hospital managers believed that they were under siege from hostile competing parties.

Institutional leaders who cultivate a strong ‘us vs them’ mindset use this to manipulate people! Those institutions like the military, the police, and the churches think of themselves as a ‘society within a larger society’ are are at particular risk of engaging false narratives to hide wrongdoing and protect perpetrators.

Those who cover-up serious misconduct including allegations of child sexual abuse are institutional enablers who fuel the crimes of others. We also note that a failure to a protect a child is a crime in most Australian jurisdictions.

Key takeaways

1. Be on the lookout for false narratives!
2. These false narratives need to be actively debunked as they are at the heart of a culture permissive of child sexual abuse!
3. The tolerance of child sexual abuse is the very worst manifestation of a toxic workplace culture!