THE Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse will start in Ballarat on Tuesday.
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The public hearing is expected to last three weeks, with a second hearing to be held later in the year.
The first hearing will hear from people affected by child sex abuse at the former St Alipius Christian Brothers School, St Alipius Parish, St Joseph’s Home, St Patrick’s College, the former St Patrick’s Christian Brothers Boys Primary School and other Catholic Church-run institutions.
Community members can also talk about the impact of child sex abuse in Ballarat.
Convicted Catholic clergy are also expected to testify, while the Catholic Church’s response to the abuse will also be examined.
The hearings will be held at the Ballarat Magistrates Court, with the main court reserved for witnesses.
An area has been provided next door in the Ballarat Steakhouse with a hearing webcast for members of the public.
Ballarat Bishop Paul Bird said in a statement released by the Truth, Justice and Healing Council that people testifying would show “great courage”.
“They deserve our admiration and support,” he said.
“They also have a right to know that the church recognises their suffering and apologises for the pain they have endured – both at the time of their abuse and through all the years they have carried the burden with them.”
Centre Against Sexual Assault Ballarat manager Shireen Gunn also said people affected by the royal commission should seek help if needed.
“It will have a ripple effect,” she said.
She said it would affect both people who have already disclosed sexual abuse and those who have yet to do so.
“To be able to process trauma and grief, you need to acknowledge it, look at it, see it for what it is and face it.”
Ms Gunn said CASA counsellors would support survivors throughout the commission and had an open space at their Sebastopol base for people to debrief during and after the hearings.
Catholic Education Office Ballarat director Audrey Brown also said in an open letter to the Catholic education community that the safety of children in schools was its top priority.
fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au
