Ballarat is bracing for weeks of horrific stories from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Child Sexual Abuse, but the city’s leaders are saying it is truth of these terrible events that we must face up to.
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The city looks set to be front and centre of the commission for the next three weeks and much of what will be heard will shock many in the community.
Ballarat MP Catherine King said the city needed to hear and understand the stories if the community was going to address the many issues connected to the years of abuse.
“We will see stories on the national news that no one would like to see about any place that you call home, but if we are going to grow from these experiences then we have to hear it and help people to move on,” she said.
“It is hard to not hear that testimony and not be incredibly saddened, there were these beautiful boys and young girls who were placed in positions where their families should have been able to trust the people to look after them and do the best by them.
“It is just as important for it to not to just be swept under the carpet, that we actually do listen, that they are believed and that they have the opportunity through the commission to tell their stories.
“Some of it will be incredibly distressing to hear but imagine what it would be like to be that person and have to tell those stories.”
Ballarat Bishop Paul Bird echoed these comments in a statement only days ago, saying it was important the community listened to what was said and supported each other through it.
“It is my hope too that when the Royal Commission finishes its work, it will be able to put forward recommendations that will help all Australians, including the Catholic Church, to deal more justly, more compassionately and more effectively with the scourge of sexual abuse of children and young people,” he said.
Ms King sat in on some of the opening day of the commission to show her support to the survivors.
“You cannot listen to that testimony and not be saddened and incredibly angered by what happened,” she said.
“I think it is very important for everybody in our com-
munity to understand what happened. I know there will be (a) candlelight vigil at one of the catholic churches and I know many of the catholic communities are opening their churches and making sure people are welcomed and understood.
“I think it is critical those survivors are understood and for people to understand their stories and for them to be brought out in the open and only when it is, will we be able to help those people and the community will heal from what is happened.”
matthew.dixon@fairfaxmedia.com.au
