Truth Justice Healing Council Supports Additional Funding for Child Sexual Abuse Support Services

Christian Today
July 15, 2013

http://au.christiantoday.com/article/truth-justice-healing-council-supports-additional-funding-for-child-sexual-abuse-support-services/15727.htm

Mr Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council, has welcomed the announcement by the Federal Government it will provide $45 million for additional support services for child sexual abuse victims and survivors who want to be part of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The funding, which will be shared by 28 support services around Australia, will help people submit evidence and attend hearings.

It will also be used for trauma-informed counselling as well as support, information and advice about what to expect from the process of engaging with the Royal Commission.

Mr Sullivan said the additional funding is an important part of the Royal Commission process which will help people who have been abused to tell their stories.

“Victims and survivors need to be supported and encouraged to speak their truth,” Mr Sullivan said.

“Their voices need to be heard, particularly those people who have been silenced by fear and shame.

“While it will be painful and traumatic for many, this additional funding will help those people wishing to go to the Commission with the very real emotional and financial burden associated with reliving past traumas,” Mr Sullivan said.

The Truth Justice and Healing Council has been established by the Catholic Church to coordinate the Catholic Church response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Its role is to oversee the Church's engagement with the Commission and to provide independent advice on the development of new policies to protect young people and to ensure the Catholic Church responds to any future sexual abuse complaints appropriately with justice, putting the needs of victims first.