Call to reveal child sexual abuse

PS NEWS
May 11, 2014

http://www.psnews.com.au/Page_psn408f5.html

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has launched a national public awareness campaign calling for survivors of child sexual abuse to come forward to share their story.

Chief Executive of the Royal Commission, Janette Dines said that while more than 1,400 people had already shared their story with a Royal Commissioner, there may be many more people who are yet to make contact.

“A recent telephone survey found that while there is widespread community awareness of the Royal Commission, many people are still unsure about what the Royal Commission can look into,” Ms Dines said.

Among its findings, the survey found 24 per cent of respondents did not know the role of the Royal Commission, 37 per cent thought the Royal Commission could only examine religious organisations, and 50 per cent did not know how to share their story with the Royal Commission.

Ms Dines said people should expect to start seeing and hearing more about the Royal Commission in newspapers, websites and radio stations around the country as the campaign was rolled out in every State and Territory.

The Royal Commission will be distributing information about its work across an extensive network of Government bodies, community groups and service providers around the country.

“We will be able to connect with more people and ensure that everyone who experienced child sexual abuse while in the care of an Australian institution has the opportunity to share their story with Royal Commission if they choose to do so,” Ms Dines said.

More information about the Royal Commission is available at this PS News link.