Paul Levey told a child sex abuse inquiry this month, he was sent to live with convicted paedophile Gerarld Ridsdale in Mortlake in 1982 after his parents separated. In harrowing evidence given to the Royal Commission, Mr Levey broke down as he told the inquiry how he was forced to sleep in Ridsdale’s bedroom and detailed the effects the abhorrent abuse had on his life. Mr Levey now wants the Centre Against Sexual Assault Ballarat Survivors Group to be used as a blueprint for similar models across Australia. Mr Levey believed the model would save lives.

Mr Levey lives in Sunbury but for months has travelled to Ballarat to attend the city’s men’s group. A recent car accident left him unable to drive and he is imploring the Catholic Church to provide funding for a support group for victims to be started in his hometown.  

"If victims reach out and they don't get the support they need..they'll just crawl back in their shell," he said.  CASA in Ballarat offers a free service with counsellors who specialise and are experienced in clergy sexual abuse. A lack of funding meant there was a four month waiting list to see a CASA counsellor in Sunbury.  

"Ballarat has a unique model which has been a great success because it provides a safe environment for all men,” Mr Levey said.

He and his partner Michelle have turned Sunbury into a kaleidoscope of colour. The couple have tied ribbons to the gates of Catholic schools and parishes across Sunbury to give a voice to victims suffering with no support. Mr Levey took his crusade to St Anne’s Parish in Sunbury last Sunday. The priest stepped aside and the congregation grew silent as Mr Levey called for empathy for survivors from the Catholic Church. The Ballarat diocese has since agreed to pay for Mr Levey’s ongoing counselling in Sunbury but he said all dioceses needed to follow. “There are victims everywhere.. abused outside of the Ballarat diocese who need this support,” he said.