Northern Rivers residents are invited to learn more about the work of the Royal Commission at a community information forum in Lismore on Thursday 19 February 2015.

Royal Commissioner Justice Jennifer Coate will provide an overview of the work of the Royal Commission and answer questions from the community.

Royal Commission CEO Philip Reed said the community forum was open to any members of the public who have an interest in the Royal Commission.

We particularly encourage people affected by child sexual abuse while in the care of an institution to attend the community forum,” Mr Reed said.

You will not be required to discuss your personal story at the community forum, it is a chance to find out more about the work of the Royal Commission and how you can be involved.

The forum is an opportunity for the Royal Commission to hear from local community groups and support services who are working with survivors of child sexual abuse in the Northern Rivers region.

In addition to the community forum, private sessions will also be held in the region.

Over the course of this week around 22 survivors of child sexual abuse living in northern NSW will have the opportunity to tell the Royal Commission of their experiences in a private session with a Commissioner.

The Royal Commission has already held more than 2,950 private sessions in cities and town across Australia and this is the first time the Royal Commission has held private sessions in the northern Rivers region.

The information provided in private sessions is helping the Royal Commission better understand how child sexual abuse in institutions can be prevented, Mr Reed said.

Forum details

Lismore Community Forum

Date: Thursday 19 February
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Venue: Churchill Auditorium – Lismore City Hall, 1 Bounty Street Lismore, NSW 2480

Please note: The community forum will be hosted together with the Indigo House (NSW Sexual Assault Service) and Rekindling the Spirit. For privacy reasons, the community forum is closed to media. Children under the age of 16 who would like to attend the community should be accompanied by an adult. If you wish to attend the community forum, please contact contact@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au.