Pain on Road to Healing: PM

News.com.au
January 12, 2013

www.news.com.au/news/pain-on-road-to-healing-pm/story-fnehlez2-1226552621114

Prime Minister Julia Gillard warns of harrowing times during the royal commission into child abuse. Picture: Ray Strange

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has cautioned victims of child sexual abuse of traumatic times ahead as the royal commission starts its inquiries but stressed that it should eventually bring healing.

Around 30 people gathered at Kirribilli House in Sydney for a morning tea hosted by the Prime Minister a day after the commission's term of reference were announced.

"Establishing the royal commission is the start of something really big, really emotional, really hard," Ms Gillard said.

"A lot of people are going to need a lot of support as we go through that process. I can't promise that these are easy days ahead. I suspect that there are some very traumatic days ahead as people come and tell what happened to them."

But the commission also offered hope, she said.

"The recommendations of the royal commission... I hope brings some healing to individuals and to us as a nation. I know that the people here have raised their voices time after time after time to say that our nation has to face up to the consequences of what happened. We have to shine a light on it."

Sexual abuse victim Nicky Davis said she hoped other victims would come forward to share their stories.

"I know how hard it is to speak out about the abuse, I am a victim. But things need to change," she said.

Child Migrants Trust representative John Hennessey held tightly to Ms Gillard as he thanked her for launching the commission.

"I think it vindicates everything we have been fighting for for 25 years," he said.

Mr Hennessy carried a photograph of his late British mother, May Mary Hennessy, who was told he was dead before he was shipped to a Western Australian Christian Brothers institution.

Members of advocacy groups including Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, Bravehearts, Broken Rites and Child Migrants Trust also attended the event.

The unprecedented six-strong royal commission will be headed by NSW Supreme Court judge Peter McClellan and will examine past and current child sexual abuse in organisations and institutions.

It is expected to cost more than $50 million over three years and an interim report should be handed down within 18 months.