The head of Ballarat’s Centre Against Sexual Assualt says Ballarat victims and survivors of sexual abuse have reaped the benefits of the massive crowdfunding effort during the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2016.
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The remainder of funds generated from the GoFundMe campaign to send survivors to Rome for Cardinal George Pell’s testimony to the Royal Commission were given to CASA.
More than $106,000 was left over from the $203,000 raised by the crowdfunding effort, with the state government matching the figure.
Royalties from Tim Minchin’s song ‘Come Home (Cardinal Pell)’ were also handed over to the counselling body following the trip.
The funds have since been used to hire a case manager for four days a week for almost three years.
A brokerage fund was also able to be established to assist sexual assault victims with one-off expenses, allowing them to focus on dealing with trauma.
CASA Ballarat operations director Shireen Gunn said the addition of the new position and brokerage fund had streamlined the process for victims seeking help.
“When people have a crisis like they’re washing machine has broken down of their car has a problem, we’ve been able to have the funds where we can just pay it so they can then move on and start addressing their other issues,” Ms Gunn said. “It’s been really useful for clients but also for counsellors in that it helps them to aid crisis situations so they can move it along and continue to work on their counselling.”
The organisation, which currently has 14 counsellor advocates, will look to make the case to state government later this year to establish the role in an ongoing capacity.
“We can really see the benefits of the program so it would be really worthwhile for it to continue,” Ms Gunn said.
People impacted by historical abuse can contact the Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault on 5320 3933.
