The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (‘the Royal Commission’) is due to deliver its final report to the Governor-General on 15 December 2017. The Final Report will make recommendations regarding the response to and prevention of child sexual abuse in institutional contexts.

With the Royal Commission now drawing to a close it is important that you do not miss out on the opportunity to be involved. By sharing your story with the Royal Commission you will be helping them to better understand the history of institutional child sexual abuse, how institutions have responded to allegations of child sexual abuse and how child protection in institutions can be improved in the future. The information you provide to the Royal Commission may form part of a report or be contained in the “message to Australia” that is being prepared by the Royal Commission on behalf of survivors. However, if your information is used in this way your identity will not be revealed.

It is important that you understand that sharing your story with the Royal Commission is completely voluntary and is not a requirement for you to proceed with a civil claim for compensation.

Whilst registrations to have a private session with a Commissioner closed on 30 September 2016 due to high demand, there are still other ways that you can ensure that your story is heard.

Final dates

29 September 2017 – final date for registrations to listen to audio recordings of a private sessions

31 October 2017 – final date for survivors to register a message to be included in the “message to Australia” that the Royal Commission is preparing on behalf of survivors

15 November 2017 – final date for survivors to provide further written submissions regarding their experiences of abuse

30 November 2017 – final date for submission of emails/documents prepared with advocates/lawyers