Ingleburn's Hennessey to Testify at Sex Abuse Royal Commission

By Ben Chenoweth
Advertiser
January 15, 2013

http://www.macarthuradvertiser.com.au/story/1236643/ingleburns-hennessey-to-testify-at-sex-abuse-royal-commission/?cs=1437

Commission on a mission: John Hennessey and Prime Minister Julia Gillard a day after the establishment of the Royal Commission. Picture: Mick Tsikas

INGLEBURN resident John Hennessey celebrated a mini victory last week when Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the terms of reference for a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Mr Hennessey was among the victims of Britain's child migrant policy and one of many children who were cast into virtual slavery and sexually abused while institutionalised.

The policy saw more than 130,000 British children shipped to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the then Southern Rhodesia from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Mr Hennessey who was taken from his mother at birth said he had been, "seeking justice for a long time". He will also be called to testify at the royal commission.

"I've been told I will be one of the key people giving testimony," he said.

"You have to do uncomfortable things for the better good sometimes.

"These are stories you can't lie about and I know I will be speaking for people who are no longer with us.

"At times I've felt like giving in but the thought in my mind was if one more child could be saved, then it was worth it.

"This [decision] vindicates everything we have been fighting for, for years."

Mr Hennessey was among the guests invited to a morning tea by Ms Gillard at Kirribilli House at the weekend.

At the announcement of the royal commission, the Prime Minister said, "our nation needs to send a very clear message to those who have survived child sexual abuse".

"The royal commission will provide us with recommendations about what we can do better for the future," Ms Gillard said.