'The Nation Needs to Be Shocked' by Abuse Commission

By Hannah Belcher
SBS
September 15, 2013

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/09/15/nation-needs-be-shocked-abuse-commission

[with video]

Inside Saint Mary's Cathedral in Sydney worshippers are at Sunday mass.

Outside, victims of sexual abuse protest in silence, hoping their presence will make passes-by think about the children abused in churches, orphanages, charities and state institutions.

And from Monday, some of Australia's victims will tell their stories in public for the first time.

'By having a public hearing you know it has that authority to say "Yes, these things did happen, we must believe them", says Leonie Sheedy of the Care Leavers Australia Network, an advocacy group for sexually and physically abused orphans.

Sheedy curates a museum filled with memorabilia, donated by victims.

'Some of them can't bare to have them in their home because of the memories. It is going to be extremely painful and the nation will be shocked at these stories. But the nation needs to be shocked in order to move forward.'

Up until now the Royal Commission into child sex abuse has heard evidence behind closed doors.

From Monday, the doors will be opened for victims to speak publicly about their abuse in a hearing room in Sydney, open to the media and public.

Witnesses will speak in front of up to six Royal Commissioners, and in some cases might be examined by lawyers.

World News Australia's Hannah Belcher has more.