Child Sex Abuse Commission Receiving 23 New Allegations a Day

Brisbane Times
September 5, 2013

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/child-sex-abuse-commission-receiving-23-new-allegations-a-day-20130906-2taej.html

A royal commission set to expose how institutions have failed child sex abuse victims is receiving an average of 23 phone calls a day.

More than 4300 people have called since the inquiry began to report abuse perpetrated against children.

The response to the commission has been so overwhelming that commissioners say it will be impossible to make findings in relation to every institute where child sex abuse allegedly occurred.

Speaking at a Bravehearts White Balloon Day in Brisbane on Friday, Justice Peter McClellan AM said the commission would have to be selective when investigating and holding public hearings into allegations of abuse.

Already, 326 child sex abuse victims have told a commissioner of their abuse, while another 423 are waiting to share their stories.

There are also 1000 waiting to be assessed for private sessions with commission staff.

Justice McClellan said some patterns of child sex abuse were beginning to emerge.

He said some of the stories would shock people.

"It is apparent that where an organisation lacks an appropriate culture and there are not appropriate practices and training of staff within the organisation, there is a risk that sexual abuse will occur," he said.

"In some institutions there may be only one perpetrator. In others there will be multiple abusers and many children may be abused.

"In residential institutions sexual abuse is almost always reported to be accompanied by almost unbelievable levels of physical violence inflicted on the children by the adults who had responsibility for their welfare."

The royal commission was established in January to examine how institutions responsible for children have managed and responded to allegations and instances of child sexual abuse.

Public hearings will begin Sydney on September 16.