Fortunately, I never experienced predatory sexual behaviour when I was a child. But the often invisible suffering and torment that was suffered by so many vulnerable young people from many communities  over many decades as the result of being abused, assaulted and/or raped is a shocking indictment on Australia.

Words will never remove the pain these individuals have experienced; compensation will to a degree improve their lives. What must happen is that we as a community must ensure that it will never happen again, and, in particular, institutions will stand accountable for the care and support they provide to young people in a safe environment.

What does concern me is that institutionalised sexual abuse accounts for just 20 per cent of this horrendous issue; 80 per cent of sexual abuse happens within families and in many cases there are no consequences for the perpetrators nor support given to the victims. Much of this is hidden. Why? Complicity is simply unacceptable.

Why can’t all predators be brought to account?

Can you understand the hurt felt by the victims when, as I understand it, they were berated, or even abused physically, by their families for daring to stand up for themselves and call out some of this abuse and their abuser. And then there were the poor souls who were so damaged by the abuse that in desperation they ended up taking their lives. Where were the parents then? Where was the community that knew this was happening? Where are the parents now? Where is our community now on this despicable tragedy?

To move forward, we first need justice for all and then healing can commence. Some families have secrets; until they are addressed, they will continue to have a corrosive effect on families’ lives .

Beyond the apology, we now need corrective action, action by all of us, and let’s start it right here in Ballarat. It really is time for all of us all to take a pledge to never allow this to happen again. A pledge with outcomes based on the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.

I call on the Ballarat community to stand up and be counted. Stop the blame game and work together to protect children and bring to justice those that have abused that trust with children.

I also wish to state my confidence in the current pastoral carers who I know will be leaders for change. Ballarat must now regain its respect and ensure that we remember and never allow this to happen again.

Finally, let me say that care for children starts in the home! Let’s take the pledge.  Each institution can also place a sign, dare I suggest a symbol such as an eight-pointed star – the Eureka  star, the star of hope, optimism, expectation, courage, hopefulness, faith, promise, trust and wellbeing – that confirms that “this place is a safe haven” for young people and that it is also a refuge, a sanctuary and a place of protection for all.

Ron Egeberg, Soldiers Hill