Supporting abuse victims to tell their story

By Kayleigh Bruce
Whyalla News
April 22, 2014

http://www.whyallanewsonline.com.au/story/2233917/supporting-abuse-victims-to-tell-their-story/?cs=1550

Local service providers were recently provided with information to aid people who may wish to tell their story to the Royal Commission into the Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse.

Currently the Royal Commission is hearing from people across Australia to look at how institutions have managed and responded to allegations and instances of child sexual abuse.

Any child sexual abuse survivors can share their story as part of the commission to show what happened in the past to help build child safe organisations in the future.

Victim Support Service facilitated the information session in conjunction with Know More - an independent legal service offering free legal assistance to people considering making a submission.

Victim Support Service Royal Commission Support Services counsellor Dianne Newton said the aim of the local session was to educate service providers to let community members know that the royal commission was interested in their story.

"Many, many people are coming forward throughout Australia," Ms Newton said.

"When the commission was put in place, the Gillard government said they wanted all people to have an opportunity in metro and regional areas to come before and tell their story.

"To have a voice for what happened to them."

Victim Support Service regional coordinator Kate Kemp-Turner said locals wishing to share their story of child sexual abuse were not alone and Victim Support Service was able to provide a range of support services.

"All they have to do is give us a call or just drop by our offices and we're there to assist with whatever they need," Ms Kemp-Turner said.

Ms Kemp-Turner said people could chose to tell their story through whichever organisation they felt comfortable with whether that be police, a medical service or other service provider - the Victim Support Service could still provide support and counselling if needed.

"It's however they feel most comfortable and when they feel most comfortable," Ms Kemp-Turner said.