Royal Commission Funds to Support Tasmanian Sex Abuse Victims

ABC News
September 16, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-16/royal-commission-funds-to-support-tasmanian-sex-abuse-victims/4961366

There is support for Tasmanians who give evidence to the royal commission into child sex abuse, chaired by Justice Peter McClellan.

Support services are being boosted in Tasmania to help victims of child sexual abuse who take part in the royal commission.

The Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS), Laurel House and Relationships Australia have been jointly allocated almost $2 million in federal funding over three years.

The funding announcement coincides with the royal commission's first public hearings in Sydney.

The money is being used to support Tasmanian survivors of child sexual abuse who give evidence to the commissioners.

The chief executive of SASS, Liz Little, says up to eight people are being hired throughout Tasmania.

"Some of the people who are thinking about going to the royal commission have never spoken to anybody about this," she said.

"At the moment what we're trying to do is do outreach to people we believe may want to have access to the commission, [especially] people with disabilities."

Ms Little says many victims may be reluctant to seek help.

"We know a lot of middle aged men fall into the group and they don't usually access help services, there are also services that have been established to give people legal advice."

The Royal Commission held private sessions in Hobart last week.

Ms Little says hearings are also expected to take place in Launceston.