AUSTRALIA
ABC News

Hunter region survivors of childhood sexual abuse will give evidence to the Royal Commission during four days of private hearings in Newcastle later this month.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is investigating how organisations, such as churches, have dealt with allegations of abuse.

32 people will have the opportunity to tell a commissioner of their experiences, with the hearings to be held from February 24 to 27.

The commission CEO Philip Reed says it is critical the evidence is given in private, as it allows commissioners to hear first-hand “the tactics perpetrators used and how institutions responded, or failed to respond”.

Mr Reed says the Newcastle sessions will be held in a confidential and safe environment, with commission staff ready to provide counselling.