Child sex abuse royal commission: Wimmera to host support forums for victims with disabilities

ABC News
July 7, 2015

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-07/wimmera-hosts-forums-for-child-sex-abuse-victims/6600144

People with disabilities who have endured child sexual abuse will get the chance to speak at forums in the Wimmera this week.

People with disabilities who have suffered sexual abuse as a child will have the chance to speak about their experiences at three forums in western Victoria's Wimmera this week.

Horsham, Warracknabeal and Nhill will host information sessions for people with disabilities, their friends, family members, staff working in disability organisations and whistleblowers.

The forums are part of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The information sessions are designed to outline support and people will have the opportunity to speak about abuse they have experienced or witnessed.

The advocacy group, People with Disability Australia, will run the sessions.

Chief executive Matthew Bowden said victims in the Wimmera had come forward asking for support.

"They've explained to us that they experienced sexual violence, sexual assaults when they were living there as kids," he said.

"There have been people who have been coming forward asking for our support in the Wimmera region."

He said the group wanted to ensure it included cases of sexual abuse in institutions such as schools, hospitals and sporting clubs.

The sessions will be held on Thursday and Friday.