Share your story (from Royal Commission)
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Monthly Archives: July 2016
Share your story (from Royal Commission)
If you were sexually abused as a child in an Australian institution, like a school, church or sports club, you can tell your story to the Royal Commission.
There are two main ways to share your story with us – in person at a private session, or you can provide a written account.
Registrations for a private session are closing on 30 September 2016
More than 5,500 private sessions have been held and around 1,500 people are currently waiting for a private session. Due to this demand, the Royal Commission will close registrations for private sessions on 30 September 2016.
Read more about the closure of private session registrations.
Private sessions
A private session allows survivors to speak directly with a Commissioner about their experiences, in a private and comfortable place.
Registrations for private sessions will close on 30 September 2016.
Provide a written account
Many people share their story with the Commissioners in writing. Providing your story in writing means your story will still be read by a Commissioner, however you will not meet a Commissioner in person as you would in a private session.
Royal Commission – Share your story
Prestigious private schools face multi-million dollar lawsuits from alleged abuse victims
Some of Australia’s most prestigious private schools are being sued for millions of dollars by men who allege they were sexually abused by teachers and staff.
Sydney lawyer Ross Koffel is bringing multiple claims for damages in the NSW Supreme Court against schools including The Scots College, Knox Grammar, Waverley College and De La Salle, Revesby Heights.
Mr Koffel told the ABC he had been approached by a large number of men who allege they were abused at private schools around the country.
“It just seemed to me to be the same problem in school after school after school and it surprised us how many schools, how many students are affected,” Mr Koffel said.
“It is a systemic problem in the institutions, in the schools. We’re alleging sexual abuse of the students during school hours in most cases and on the school premises, and it just really couldn’t be worse.”
Ten separate claims against The Scots College, Knox Grammar, Waverley College and De La Salle College, Revesby Heights have been lodged and another two claims will be lodged in coming months.
Mr Koffel said he is investigating another eight claims against other schools.
Do you know more about this story? Email investigations@abc.net.au