While the focus has been on the Cardinal George Pell conviction, the other case he was allegedly involved in was dropped - this can be "devastating" for survivors who've fought through the system to get to court at all.

The dropped case, involving two children allegedly abused at the Eureka Swimming Pool in the 1970s, led to the suppression order on Pells first conviction, as the outcome of the first trial could have influenced the second.

The sister of one of the children, a man who alleges he was sexually abused by George Pell at the pool, said the family is not dismayed the Cardinal's second trial is not going ahead, as they feel a sense of justice has been served.

They also hope Pell's conviction will spur other victims of sexual assault to come forward and seek support.

Karen Monument said she was compelled to speak out on behalf of her family, particularly her brother Lyndon who has been left overwhelmed by the week's events, after seeing two former Australian prime ministers, Tony Abbott and John Howard as well as News Corp columnist Andrew Bolt publicly defend Pell in the wake of his conviction.

Lyndon Monument was due to give evidence in the cardinal's second trial.

In a statement provided, Ms Monument also praised the work of the jury who found Pell guilty.

"In all of this noise, their message comes through quietly, powerfully and is directed to those who have not yet come forward and sadly to those who are yet to have their experience you are safe, we believe you," she said.

Mr Monument was among the first to come forward with allegations he had been sexually abused by Pell, whom he claims put his hands down the front of his bathers during a game in the water at the Eureka Pool.

Lyndon's close friend, Damian Dignan, also accused Pell of sexually abusing him in the pool as a child. He died from terminal cancer just months before court proceedings began.

Pell, 77, is in prison waiting to be sentenced after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two 13-year-old choirboys at St Patrick's Cathedral in East Melbourne in the 1990s, when he was Archbishop of Melbourne.

Lyndon Monument's lawyer, Jon Irwin of Ballarat firm Irwin and Irwin Law, said this week's news of the trial outcome brought a mixture of emotions.

It was determined ... there was not sufficient evidence, and that left the one man from Ballarat, and the Crown decided to pull the charges," he explained.

You get the sense that theres been some achievement, and they've put their shoulder to the wheel and (Pell has been convicted), but its nothing like the benefit that these two fellows would have, that they could stand up and tell their story and be believed, and I think they would have been.

"But they want to be heard, we have a story and we want to be listened to, because thats an enormously important aspect for their healing."

Its important, at this time, for the community to support survivors, as the attention in Ballarat could make survivors feel worse, or dredge up old memories.

I think this is just very much the scratching of the surface, there will be others now who will come forward, Mr Irwin said.

I had 20 years as a school teacher before I became a solicitor, and if youre in a position like a teacher, or a nurse, or a priest, its a pastoral care obligation, its a duty of care, youre putting your hand up to look after people.

You should be barring the door against the people looking to do harm, not locking them in and doing it yourself.

Its a sentiment shared by Julie Collins, who runs Boronia Exclusive Florists, across the road from the cathedral.

Shes noticed more people dropping in for ribbons to tie on the fence, in memory of people affected by clergy abuse, and remembered times when ribbons were pulled down en masse.

They're now sadly common across Ballarat, on the fence of institutions where children were abused - including at the Eureka Swimming Pool.

Its not something Ive advertised, but people ask for a piece of ribbon, and Im happy to give them a piece of ribbon," she said.

I dont know any of the survivors personally, but as soon as someone came in and asked, I decided im not going to profit off this bad stuff and negativity.

Its putting it out there and not hiding whats happened - its happened.

"Dont keep it all hidden, Im sure theres lots of people out there that havent come forward, its a huge thing to have to talk about, and we do care."

Affected by this story? Phone Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyondblue on 1300 224 636, or the Blue Knot Foundation, which helps survivors of childhood trauma, between 9am and 5pm on 1300 657 380.