CASA manager Shireen Gunn said the commission would stir up deep emotions in people who had disclosed sexual abuse and those who had yet to do so.

She also said she expected more victims to come forward, especially with the upcoming media attention on Ballarat.

“Breaking the silence takes the power off the offender. Denial keeps it (the abuse) alive and it manifests in many negative ways,” Ms Gunn said.

“It takes bravery to face it head-on and people in town need to support people brave enough to disclose.

“People might think ‘what can I do’, but you can listen and support.

“It’s our history and by taking time to stop and look at our history and see what it means, that supports the survivors in itself.

“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 the public hearings would be a very significant event for Ballarat as one of only three public hearings of the 28 held so far where convicted offenders are being called to testify.

“Justice McClellan himself said Ballarat had a particularly disturbing history,” she said.

“They have recognised the statistics coming out of Ballarat are at a really high level.

“There is a really high incidence of suicides happening in Ballarat directly linked to being a victim of institutional or clergy abuse.”

Ms Gunn said members of the CASA Ballarat Survivors Group had been waiting for the Royal Commission.

CASA staff members will support group members testifying at the commission, while an open space at CASA’s Sebastopol base will be left free for survivors to debrief during or after the hearings.

• To contact CASA, located on the corner of Vale and Edwards streets, Sebastopol, call 5320 3933 or free call 24 hours 1800 806 292. Lifeline can be accessed on 13 11 14.

fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au