AUSTRALIA
Herald Sun
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse: Banners said ‘You have the records of our abuse’
Erin Marie
Herald Sun
April 03, 2013
VICTIMS of child sex abuse wept openly in the street as the Royal Commission commenced its long-awaited hearing this morning.
More than 20 advocates wielding placards rallied outside the County Court in Melbourne as The Royal
Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse commenced its long-awaited inquiry.
Victims gathered descended outside the court eagerly awaiting the outcome of the first hour-long hearing, some armed with signs which read: “You have the records of our abuse” and “Government OK’S abuse in state-run orphanages”.
Victims, organisations and advocates poured onto William St following the hearing, with some openly embracing and others appearing teary-eyed by the emotion of the inquiry’s launch.
Leonie Sheedy of the Care Leavers of Australia Network (CLAN) – a network for people raised in the nation’s orphanages, Children’s Homes and foster care – said the first day of proceedings had been “overwhelming” for the organisation’s members.
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