TASMANIA's sexual assault support service is urging those affected by institutional child sex abuse to attend a royal commission community forum in Launceston next week. The Wednesday night forum will outline the work of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and shed light on how to get involved. SASS chief executive Liz Little said the forum was a critical icebreaker in a region where many people had been affected by abuse. "It's important to remember people can attend this session and just listen ... they don't have to identify themselves, they don't have to talk," Ms Little said. "But they can find out a little bit more about the commission and make up their minds as to whether engaging with the process will suit them." Commissioner Bob Atkinson will provide an overview of the work of the royal commission and answer any questions. Royal commission chief executive Philip Reed said attendees would find out why the commission was established, how it worked and some of the positive changes that had occurred as a result. Mr Reed said private sessions would be held across the region in addition to the community forum. "Over the course of this week, survivors of child sexual abuse living in Launceston will have the opportunity to tell the royal commission of their experiences in a private session with a commissioner," he said. Ms Little said it was important to remember the commission's operations were finite. "People need to be aware that if they are thinking about talking to the commission, while it's open and available at the moment, within three years this opportunity won't be there," she said.
TASMANIA's sexual assault support service is urging those affected by institutional child sex abuse to attend a royal commission community forum in Launceston next week.
The Wednesday night forum will outline the work of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and shed light on how to get involved.
SASS chief executive Liz Little said the forum was a critical icebreaker in a region where many people had been affected by abuse.
"It's important to remember people can attend this session and just listen ... they don't have to identify themselves, they don't have to talk," Ms Little said.
"But they can find out a little bit more about the commission and make up their minds as to whether engaging with the process will suit them." Commissioner Bob Atkinson will provide an overview of the work of the royal commission and answer any questions.
Royal commission chief executive Philip Reed said attendees would find out why the commission was established, how it worked and some of the positive changes that had occurred as a result. Mr Reed said private sessions would be held across the region in addition to the community forum.
"Over the course of this week, survivors of child sexual abuse living in Launceston will have the opportunity to tell the royal commission of their experiences in a private session with a commissioner," he said.
Ms Little said it was important to remember the commission's operations were finite.
"People need to be aware that if they are thinking about talking to the commission, while it's open and available at the moment, within three years this opportunity won't be there," she said.
