Widespread abuse by Ballarat clergy

WIDESPREAD ABUSE BY CATHOLIC PRIESTS IN BALLARAT DIOCESE

* Child sex claims from 140 people since 1980

* $4.96m in compensation (including treatment, legal costs) to 97 claimants

* Average payment about $51,000

* Most offences between 1950 and 1989

* More than a third in 1970s

* 20 offenders - 17 priests

* 90 per cent of claims against seven priests

* Most complaints (78) against former priest Gerald Francis Ridsdale

* Ridsdale convicted of 138 offences against 53 victims; in jail since 1994

* Ballarat diocese covers western third of Victoria.

Source: Child abuse royal commission data on claims and substantiated complaints received by Diocese of Ballarat between January 1980-February 28, 2015.