Commission Bound for Nt

By Sarah Crawford
NT News
September 17, 2013

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/09/17/324994_ntnews.html

FOUR heart attacks in the past year have prompted Frank Holden to tell of the two hellish years he spent in a notorious boys' home.

Mr Holden, of Darwin River, has been asked to give evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and he is keen to have his say when it sits in Top End next month.

"I'm not well at all, I don't mind telling my story - what do I have to lose?" he said.

"Anything to get the story out there to the public about what us kids went through."

Mr Holden said he had had shoulder surgery, a knee reconstruction and a back operation from the numerous bashings he endured at Queensland's Westbrook Farm Home for Boys in the early 1960s.

But the abuse went deeper than broken bones.

Mr Holden said he was also mentally and sexually abused. He was deemed as an "uncontrollable child" after a fight with his father at 14 and was sent to Westbrook Farm, near Toowoomba.

His grandparents rescued him at 17.

Mr Holden said he was lucky to survive.

"A lot of my friends committed suicide, took drugs or became alcoholics," he said.

The Commission will hold private sessions in Darwin from October 15.

Commission CEO Janette Dines said the sessions would be private because many victims found it extremely difficult to speak about the abuse they suffered.

"Private sessions are informal. No one from an institution will ever be present and what is said is kept in complete confidence," she said.

"It is not like a court where individuals give evidence and are cross examined."

Ms Dines said people spoke out for different reasons.

"Some are telling their story for the first time and just want somebody to know what happened to them and the impact the abuse has had on their lives.

"Many people say that they want to help the Royal Commission make institutions safer for children in future."

Mr Holden wants compensation: "A few dollars would be nice so I can claim my medical bills."

The Commission has conducted about 400 private sessions in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Melbourne.

It will return to other parts of the Territory for further private sessions.

Assistance with travel costs is available. Anyone wanting to tell their story to the Commission can call 1800 099 340 for information.

Readers seeking suicide prevention support or information can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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