THE Victorian inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and other organisations will hold its first regional hearing at the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute today.
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Announced by Premier Ted Baillieu in April, the inquiry is being conducted by the Victorian Parliament's six-member Family and Community Development Committee.
Hundreds of individuals and organisations made submissions to the inquiry with controversial evidence already heard from Victoria Police, the Broken Rites victims advocacy organisation, government departments and community organisations.
Today's hearing will include at least three witnesses, including family members of victims from the Ballarat region who took their own lives following abuse by Catholic clergy.
Public hearings will begin at 11am with an opening statement from chair Georgie Crozier and are expected to conclude by 3pm.
Terms of reference for the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into child sexual abuse call for it to report to the Parliament by April 30, however many parliamentary committees seek extensions.
