BRAVEHEARTS Ecstatic over Royal Commission

9 News
January 11, 2013

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/01/11/16/01/bravehearts-ecstatic-over-royal-commission

A leading child protection advocacy group is absolutely ecstatic about the terms of reference for the royal commission into child sexual abuse.

Bravehearts director Hetty Johnston welcomed the inclusion of the group's submission in the terms of reference.

"We couldn't be happier, we're absolutely ecstatic," she said.

"It's absolutely everything we hoped it would be, we're absolutely thrilled with the outcome," she told AAP.

"We couldn't have written it better ourselves."

Bravehearts put forward three key recommendations: that the commission is specific to child sexual assault, not general neglect and abuse; that it examines the judicial system policies and practices; and that it sets up an "escape mechanism" so people under suppression orders or confidentiality agreements can still give evidence.

Ms Johnston said the commission's terms, unveiled on Friday, includes their submissions and they look forward to seeing it start work.

"This generation and the next, and at least five generations of Australians will benefit from this," she said.