Crowds flocked to Ballarat's Botanical Gardens for a civic reception to welcome home the city’s sex abuse survivors.
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It was an emotional homecoming for the men and their trip to Rome support team including Centre Against Sexual Assault counsellors and Ballarat Deputy Mayor Belinda Coates on Friday. Survivor Gary Sculley thanked the Ballarat community for the support and paid tribute to the men who went on the trip to Rome but weren’t able to make it to the event.
“Remember you were the people who planted the seeds of change,” he said. “To the survivors who couldn’t be here but have led the way including Peter (Blenkiron) Andrew (Collins) and David (Ridsdale) you have given all us strength and a voice to speak. Thank-you to the givers of life at CASA without you many of us wouldn’t be here.” Cr Coates said the council was exploring the idea of archiving the survivors’ trip to Rome. Discussions are also under way to create a public art monument in honour of all sex abuse victims.
