Gemma Hickey is continuing efforts to hold the Roman Catholic Church accountable for failing to adequately deal with clergy accused of abusing children.

Hickey, a survivor themselves, and the co-founder of the Pathways Foundation, made a trip to the Vatican and Geneva a few years ago to meet with fellow survivors and demand change in the church in dealing with pedophiles within their ranks.

Hickey’s current academic research is focused on the systemic issues within the Church hierarchy and structure. They say the clerical side of the Church is continuing to do damage not only to survivors, but parishioners and fellow clergy, by not adequately addressing the cancer within.

Hickey says it’s one thing to apologize, but the Vatican needs to take action. Hickey has another trip to Rome planned, where they will have a number of meetings with officials, followed by visits to the UN in Geneva and The Hague. Hickey is also planning a pilgrimage with fellow survivors that will be documented on film to further raise awareness about the issue.