The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse will be holding a community information forum in Ballarat on Wednesday 19 March 2014.

The Chair of the Royal Commission, The Hon Justice Peter McClellan AM, will address the forum, which follows informal meetings with community groups and service providers in Ballarat two weeks ago.

Royal Commission CEO Janette Dines said the community forum will provide a way for interested individuals and community groups in Ballarat to engage with the Royal Commission.

“We strongly encourage those who have an interest in the Royal Commission to attend and to take the opportunity to learn more about our work.

“These forums are also an important way for us to hear from community groups and service providers supporting survivors of child sexual abuse in regional areas,” she said.

In addition to the community forum, private sessions will also be held in Ballarat. Ms Dines said the private sessions offered next week have been fully allocated, but that more may be held in the region in future.

“The Royal Commission is committed to offering all survivors the opportunity to have a private session” she said.

To protect the privacy of those involved, the location of these sessions is confidential.

Full event details:

Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Community Forum (hosted together with Centre Against Sexual Assault Ballarat)

Time: Wednesday 19 March 2014; 6pm – 8pm
Venue: Eureka Ball Room, 613 Main Road, Ballarat, Victoria 3350

Please note: For privacy reasons, the community forum is closed to media. Children under the age of 16 who would like to attend should be accompanied by an adult. If you wish to attend the community forum, please contact contact@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au