Abuse Inquiry Begins Hearings in Adelaide

Herald Sun
July 9, 2013

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/abuse-inquiry-begins-hearings-in-adelaide/story-fni0xqi4-1226676417054

THE royal commission into institutional child sexual abuse has begun private hearings in Adelaide.

Royal commission chief executive Janette Dines said the face-to-face meetings involved people telling their stories to one or two commissioners in an informal setting.

The sessions will continue throughout July.

She said people who had come to similar meetings in Sydney and Brisbane in recent weeks had described them as positive experiences.

"We understand how difficult it can be for people to come forward and talk about what happened to them," she said in a statement on Tuesday.

"There are trained counsellors available to provide immediate support to anyone in distress."

Ms Dines said a large number of people were telling their story for the first time.

"Many people have said that after years of keeping silent they feel safe to speak out," she said.

"Some people want the royal commission to know what happened to them as a child and the impact it has had on their lives.

"Many people are telling us that they want to help make institutions safer for children in the future."

Ms Dines said the royal commission would return to South Australia "as many times as it takes" to hear from anyone who wants to come forward.