AUSTRALIA
ABC South East SA
By Kate Hill
As horrendous cases of child sexual abuse in institutions are continuing to make headlines across the nation’s media, the Victims of Crime Support Service has said the coverage can prompt ’emotional triggers’ and traumatic memories in people.
In the south east this week was Diane Newton, a Victim Support Services (VSS) counsellor working with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, who encouraged such individuals to come forward and contact the service.
VSS held forums this week in Kingston and Naracoorte to give individuals and service providers information on contacting the commission and what local support services were available for survivors of child sexual abuse.
As more sexual abuse stories emerged from the commission’s hearing this week in Ballarat, Ms Newton said the spotlight had been thrown onto a dark corner of human society.
“The public are now becoming more aware of this major issue in our society,” she said.
“This is a huge opportunity for the Australian public to be able to come forward, have support, have a voice and say ‘we need to change things’.
South east Victim Support Coordinator, Virginia Hill said a number of south east residents had come forward to contact the commission about their experiences.
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