Anatomy of a Secret: One Man’s Search for Justice

Raw and compelling, Anatomy of a Secret bravely shares long-silenced, unspoken truths. As a boy, Gerard was sexually abused by a Catholic priest at his local church. As a grown man, he confronts the trauma of what he suffered and the psychological aftermath of his experience, grappling with shame, guilt and the devastating impact it had on his family, relationships and sense of self. Despite what he endured, Gerard’s story is one of hope and healing, of acknowledging pain and seeking support, of honesty and justice.

Gerard McCann grew up in Cottesloe, the second of five boys in a staunchly Catholic family. He studied architecture and developed his own practice focused on heritage architecture. After a sabbatical in 2012, he was compelled to write his memoir, which developed into an exploration of clerical sexual abuse and its far-reaching consequences.