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THIS must surely be one of the longest weeks in Ballarat’s history.
Sadly, our city is no stranger to the kind of terrible stories of abuse and neglect currently being shared by survivors speaking at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Several victims of abuse have shared their stories in the pages of The Courier in recent years – and many more awful details were made public during the Victorian inquiry in 2013.
But the horrific stories being heard at the hearing in Ballarat this week are some of the saddest and most shocking yet to come to light.
And this time, they will be given wider media coverage than ever before. The impact of the hearings on Ballarat will be huge – not just for survivors of abuse and their families and friends, not just for parishioners and Catholics, but for the entire community.
There is simply no way to face the horrors that are a part of our city’s history without feeling, at the very least, a sense of deep sadness. Also common may be feelings of anger, anxiety and disbelief.
It is important to remember the purpose of the commission is to seek justice for victims and try to ensure that such awful abuses never occur again. It is also important to take care of ourselves, and each other – and make use of the many support services which are available during periods of emotional difficulty if needed.
If you are experiencing symptoms of distress or depression, please make sure to talk to someone about your feelings. Friends and family members may be able to provide comfort and advice, as can free helplines such as Beyondblue (1300 22 46 36) and Lifeline (13 11 44).