Message to Australia
Message to Australia
‘Message to Australia’ gave those who bravely told their story to the Royal Commission an opportunity to share a message with the Australian community about their experience and hopes for creating a safer future for children. These messages were published in a commemorative book that was handed over to the National Library of Australia during the final sitting of the Royal Commission on 14 December 2017.
More than 1,000 contributions were received and will remain as a tribute to survivors’ courage in coming forward to tell their stories and provide a public record of their experience. Messages are available to be viewed below and the book is on display at the National Library of Australia and in all state and territory libraries.
Content warning: material may be confronting and disturbing. If you need help visit support services.
1 of 1054
It is my hope that by the abused children of my generation telling their stories to the Royal Commission, their suffering and their courage will ensure that this abuse will never happen again to another Australian child.
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2 of 1054
If, as we have sadly discovered, we can't always trust those in authority to keep our children safe, we must do a better job at teaching our children from a very young age to try to keep themselves safe by education about personal safety.
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3 of 1054
Thank you for providing a space to bear witness to a horrid time in my life. The commission has encouraged me to step onto the path to healing. Your wonderful staff made me feel safe and supported. Again thank you.
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5 of 1054
Glad I spoke to the Royal Commission but it has opened a Pandora's box in my head, I feel dangerously angry it scares me a lot but I'm ok, you just ask me. Substance abuse is helping. What a lie to live with. Please don't let this happen to others.
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6 of 1054
I will not let your abuse of power and control take any more from me and my ability to hold on to life, to have hope and to speak out for other survivors.
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7 of 1054
I have been dealing with the effects of institutional child sexual abuse in my family for over thirty years. For over twenty years we have tried for resolution with the church. My experience with the church is of a morally disengaged organisation that ferociously guards its finances and reputation above all else. the church has shown itself to be the poorest custodians of the Christian message. Thank you former Prime Minister Gillard and her government for initiating the Royal Commission. Thank you to the Commission for their sensitive treatment of us. Breaking our imposed silence to people of integrity is the first step towards healing. It comforts me that future generations of parents and children will not endure what my family has endured due to the changes the Royal Commission can bring. Game over Archbishops!!!
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8 of 1054
Providing input to the session had a positive educational impact on myself, my family and my circle of friends. I believe that it is very important that we create a supportive cultural and spiritual environment to ensure that our current and future children can, will and do reveal the secrets of abusive adults.
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9 of 1054
The Royal Commission was a good way for me to start to talk about this. I feel nothing will ever heal my wounds, they are too deep. Thank you to all at the Commission. To the Government, don't let this happen again.
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10 of 1054
I am really glad the Royal Commission happened and hope more people speak up. I hope that juvenile can be used only as a last resort and troubled youth can be more supported in the near future. It was handled well and I hold no ill will.
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11 of 1054
All I ask of the Royal Commission is that all who had the courage of sharing their living hell, will at last be believed. I thank the Commissioners and staff for their compassion.
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12 of 1054
I have lived with this trauma for my entire life. This opportunity has given me the chance to finally hold someone accountable for something I was forever in fear of being able to acknowledge much less talk about. Children are innocent. I hope very soon that Pandora's Box will be closed forever and I am now handing the burden over.
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13 of 1054
Keep our kids safe. One life, one chance, stay strong and you'll belong!
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14 of 1054
Child sexual abuse is not just a crime against the person, but is also a crime that attacks the social fabric of the nation. Too often those entrusted with the care of children have covered up these crimes through secrecy and intimidation, to protect institutional reputation. Such practices are abhorrent to any who value dignity and compassion. I would like to thank the Commissioners and secretariat who have made this journey of healing possible for thousands of people.
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15 of 1054
When I left my private session I felt relieved that I was able to tell you my story. I hadn't spoken about it in detail beforehand, my children never knew. It affects your whole life. My hope is that the Royal Commission may save other children from this, from their lives being ruined. The system needs to change to better protect our children.
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17 of 1054
I came to share my story, not only for me, but for the ones that didn't make it, for all the stories not told, I came! For them I have become like a lighthouse, warning us of danger. Let us all become beacons of light, for all our children! Many thanks to the Commissioners and all their staff, who gave me the strength.
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18 of 1054
Love the little children because their innocence is pure. Love the little children and nurture and care. Love the little children within us all they lay, craving for protection and calling to be heard. Love the little children who are wishing a new path in life. Love the little children who's hope is silence, peace and a soft-spoken word. Love the little children and let us as big children, hold them, protect them and give them the love they deserve. My journey to the Royal Commission was spent with mixed emotions of in trepidation. However, the overriding feeling was fear. Fear of not being heard, fear of not being believed, fear of being judged. The lead up was sleepless nights, vomiting , extreme headaches, and the notion of pulling out to alleviate the pain. As soon as I met the Commissioner her soft-spoken voice, her nurturing aura, gave me the strength to tell my story, which was the most horrific and harrowing experience. Today (the day after) I realise it was a very cathartic process. This has brought to the stage when the shadows are diminishing, the daily nightmares are subsiding and the fork in the road has a lot more light. Thank you all that were with me this day blank and nurtured the process.
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19 of 1054
Thank you to everyone whom supported me when I was down. It took me 30 years to open up to people. Free yourself from anger, depression and lift that burden from upon yourself. "Now smile", remember you are not alone, people care. Don't let those whom hurt us destroy us. God bless.
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20 of 1054
For the last 28 years I've always felt it was my fault, that I deserved it. Now, 3 months after my meeting I am at last accepting that I'm not responsible, I'm just a survivor. Thank you for listening and letting me begin to heal.
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21 of 1054
I feel this Royal Commission has and will leave a lasting positive legacy. The professionalism and strength of the Commissioners and staff results in the victims finding in themselves the strength we all thought was lost. Thank you.
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22 of 1054
Disclosing my story empowered me a great deal and made me feel as if it was worth it, as people were genuinely concerned and worried about my wellbeing. I am finally trying to deal with everything that has affected me living a normal life for sooooo many years! I feel great and positive for once. Everyone involved with the Commission have been so professional and encouraging, making the process easy to do.
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23 of 1054
Listen to children and follow up on what children tell you. You may think children are not telling the truth. First rule, always check on and follow up on what children tell you. Please listen to children, they are our future.
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24 of 1054
Speaking at Commission re-opened my wounds, not that they ever went away. It reminded me, I'm 50 years old yet I am still that child in shorts, our pain never stops, we all need to hang heads in shame, giving victims petty cash, is only blood money, an insult to us victims.
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25 of 1054
I hope my story will help the Royal Commission to find answers to help come up with solutions to help other children in care to feel safe in the future.
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26 of 1054
After attending the Royal Commission blank I feel that at last I am starting to move in a positive direction. Contacted the Anglican Church blank with possible positive results. Thank you to the Commission for their efforts.
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27 of 1054
The institutions of education are conditional upon equality, harmony and trust. Unfettered clerical or indeed secular bonds can break any institution, more so in these times. Learn from history...
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28 of 1054
The Royal Commission gave me the privileged opportunity to help bring about an end to institutional child sexual abuse and its cover up. Thank you for hearing my story.
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29 of 1054
Allow the whisperings of God's heart to bless us all and heal our pain. The goodness of humanity will shine through. Time to move on!
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30 of 1054
My private session with the Royal Commission was very meaningful for me and a highlight of my life. Importantly, it has provided me with the opportunity to talk to my son about my past. Until now I have always been a bit of a mystery to him and a source of frustration.
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31 of 1054
With love. I'm not opposed to investigation and interpretation. I hold that I am not responsible for the meaningfulness or meaninglessness of life but I am responsible for what I do with my own unique life. Nothing has been, nothing will be; everything is, everything has essence and presence. So just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows lies the seed that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the "Rose".
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32 of 1054
For me, a practising Catholic, the Royal Commission is a literal godsend. I do not mean that God has miraculously intervened in the course of history at this moment. Rather I mean that God's ever present love is made visible in this moment of our history by the Commission's exposure of the crimes committed by agents of the church, and long concealed by its hierarchy. The Commission's work makes possible justice for victims and reform of the church and of those other institutions that inflicted such grievous injury upon them.
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33 of 1054
At long last for the first time in 26 years, I had a feeling of empowerment by telling my story to the Commissioner who allowed me to have a voice. Hopefully society awareness and government action should never allow child sexual abuse to ever happen again.
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34 of 1054
Every child born is a special gift, to the baby's Parents/Family, the Community it is born into and the Nation. A new born child does not bring a list of demands and conditions all it requires is to be loved. When parents are blessed with a baby their greatest obligation in life begins. The innocent baby instinctively trusts its parents to Love, Nurture, Protect, Guide and Support the child into adulthood. To ill-treat the trust of a child by neglect and abuse, both physically and mentally, is the ultimate betrayal of the innocence of the child and deserves the unqualified condemnation of the community and attract the full force of the law. I was abandoned by my Mother and placed in an institution by age four. I was abused by those charged to care for me and these experiences have had an adverse effect on me all my life. Strong measures must be put in place to protect children and punish those who abuse the innocence of the young.
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35 of 1054
The main reason I'm telling my story is to make sure, if possible, that these terrible things will never happen again to any of our children right across the country.
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36 of 1054
Individuals in a position of trust manipulated systems and abused innocent children. I was a victim. I am now a survivor and a challenger of past wrongs. I am no longer held hostage by the past. I am eager to embrace my newly found freedom. Thanks to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Child Sexual Abuse and all those who believed our stories. Thanks to all...
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37 of 1054
To us who told our stories we wait to hear our plight with hope, joy, despair. Was it really worth it the pain we did endure. Let's hope some joy will come our way with peace and understanding - me thinks.
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38 of 1054
I am strong and determined and will not let the abuse I experienced all those years ago keep me in limbo. I have a life and the passion to be there for those who have been where I have.
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39 of 1054
This process has been instrumental in helping me to continue my healing journey. I believe that children should be made aware at an early age of the different grooming techniques used by sexual predators in our society. To all those who have suffered or are still suffering from the horrors of abuse, it is not your fault. Please don't give up, tell someone who you trust who can help. (Survivor)
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40 of 1054
Children have an inherent right to feel safe. We all have an obligation to speak out about issues relating to the safety of children. We have a moral obligation to speak out when others do harm!
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41 of 1054
I can not believe the torture I have been put through because the adults failed to do their job and take their blank out on us kids. No Redress. Just pain.
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42 of 1054
I am very resentful to the priest who took my childhood away and having to live with this numb/angry feeling all these years. I now am both relieved and grateful for the RC to have brought this out in the open, the satisfaction of knowing children will be better protected.
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43 of 1054
At last I could tell not just my story but also its impact on me as a boy and as a man. The empathy, compassion and genuine interest made the world of difference.
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44 of 1054
"I've been waiting for 60 or more years for this to happen"? I believe in my heart I was here to be a voice of many children who couldn't, who are no longer with us. Children are our future. "What the hell happened."
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46 of 1054
Ritualistic abuse, electric shocks and raped by two men at the tender age of four years was so traumatic that I chose suicide to living. There I met three Beings who sent me back. That was the beginning of my journey toward enlightenment. We can choose to be a victim all of our lives or we can heal ourselves of the pain and trauma and move forward, toward loving even our abusers. Yes it is a tall order, we have to grow tall. If I can do it, you can do it too. Why give satisfaction to your abuser by blaming them and effectively handing them even more of your personal power? Take back your POWER, stand TALL and become and AMAZING BEING. Even if it takes all your life, it is possible and you will feel INCREDIBLE. I do! LOVE eventually overcomes fear!
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48 of 1054
After serving the Catholic Church as an altar boy, which was, I thought a privilege, in fact I was used and sexually abused. Safe in generations to come, I hope that this never happens again. My wife said to help, love and protect all children.
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49 of 1054
The innocence of vulnerable souls are shattered forever by paedophile predators. They should be incarcerated in a mental institution forever or when jailed put in a general population. The child must be protected at any cost. May the little child inside you grow to be a positive person and see the beautiful things in life. God Bless xxox
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50 of 1054
I am very grateful that I could tell my story to the Royal Commission. There is one thing the Catholic Church cannot fix. It has stolen my childhood.
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51 of 1054
I value the experience of the Royal Commission. I feel good that someone has finally listened after 30 years of fighting a system that failed to protect my child. I hope people will listen now.
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52 of 1054
Trust is a big thing in a child's life. When it is abused the consequence is great. Listen to the children. Don't dismiss what they say. Adults can look after themselves. Children can't. Centuries of lies fed by unnaturally warped clerical ethics has seen uncountable generations shattered by clerical sexual assault. The Royal Commission marks an end to the perpetration of child abuse and rape by a maligned and incompetent church. Thank you.
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53 of 1054
Thank you for being kind, compassionate and listening ear. This Commission has to be our "draw a line in the sand" experience. Time to leave our burdens with the Commission and allow them to seek justice. Ours is to tell our story and move on with love and forgiveness. It is in these two attributes we will find healing. To forgive is to release ourselves of the terrible sentence "abuse" has condemned us to. This Commission is our place where we can leave the burdens at the feet of Jesus and receive his healing touch. God bless the Commissioners and grant them wisdom in the writing of their reports.
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54 of 1054
I feel grateful to the Royal Commission, a forum for survivors of child sexual abuse to tell our stories and to be heard and accounted for. Thank you for helping this survivor have a voice 47 years later to keep letting-go and moving forward. Thank you.
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55 of 1054
The Catholic Church broke all morals of their own teachings by protecting these Brothers. They destroyed my childhood and stunted my personal growth both emotionally and psychologically. I have only survived due to a strong and loving wife and her family and my wonderful aunt and cousins who have supported me. With the Royal Commission I have been able to find my voice and tell my story and to be believed.
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56 of 1054
Please be kind to children. Don't tell lies. Always tell the truth if the children are hurt like me.
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57 of 1054
What can I say, I had my heart taken from me as a child. My identify taken to always wonder who I really am. Speaking to the Royal Commission has not put a heart in my chest where there has been an empty space all these years but hope, just a handful but it's hope, and I thank you.
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58 of 1054
It is with mixed feelings, that I write this message. My experiences with the Catholic Clergy has been quite different. Most priests I met as a youngster from 10 years of age were good people, one in particular was very bad (I was an altar boy). This over the years has made me phobic entering a church. I love Jesus! But not the Catholic hierarchy. Parents: Love your children, and always question to whom they are associated with and listen and believe them unconditionally.
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59 of 1054
Never ever talk to strangers, or if they offer you something, don't take whatever they're trying to give you. It's a trap because I was so young your age, I was so stupid to take that offer, I didn't want to tell anybody, even my own family. They knew because I isolate myself from others, but every time I tell them I am all right "come on leave me alone", until finally thanks to the Royal Commission.
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60 of 1054
From the age of 11 I was physically and mentally abused and it took me 30 years to come forward with my story. I would like to thank the Commission for its help and understanding and believing in me. It is too late for my generation but we have to do this for the kids of the future, because they are the future!
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61 of 1054
I went through a very bad experience. I trusted a teacher's aide and he sexually abused me. The school did not act quick enough. I spent many years feeling scared. After I told the Commissioner, I felt a lot lighter. I felt heard and I knew he would act on it. I know now that I am stronger. Don't be afraid to talk up and get help.
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62 of 1054
My Message to Australia is thank-you for enabling this Royal Commission. I was an eleven year old boy, now 53 and I still feel the effects of abuse, because no-one was there to stop the serial paedophile from his abuse of children and laying waste subsequently to so many lives. The 1970s was a time when society realised the importance of childhood but a real awareness and understanding the extend of the child sexual abuse has taken another 40 years.
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63 of 1054
What happened to me took away the innocence of my childhood and by writing to the Royal Commission I gave myself back the power and I chose hope over fear. I hope by sharing my story that no more children fall through the cracks and that out of this they can feel empowered to stand up for themselves.
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64 of 1054
Federal and State Governments of Australia failed to protect children in care (awards of the state), Institutions and government agencies took advantage of this position. Time taken for this inquiry to occur is a disgrace and former politicians should be ashamed.
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65 of 1054
After 50 years of carrying that burden this Commission has finally given me the tools to get it off my back. Finally someone believes me and has taken the time to listen to the traumas I suffered. I shall always carry the pain from the physical and psychological abuse and its after effects but I now know I am no longer alone. Thank you one and all.
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66 of 1054
Things do get better. This Royal Commission has freed me from the prison of shame and self-loathing inflicted on a small child who had not any choice but to accept it. Hopefully the changes in the wake of this Commission mean we won't see letters like this...
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67 of 1054
Talking to the Royal Commission took a weight off my shoulders. I never told my full story to anybody. I hope this Royal Commission can save someone from what I had to go through. Department of child safety need to be more alert of what children are going through.
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68 of 1054
Carried this around with me for over 40 years. It was good to finally be able to tell what had happened so maybe it helps to prevent these things happening to others in the future.
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69 of 1054
It took one year of viewing the advertisements to write to the Royal Commission. It then took one year to get to the table at the Royal Commission. After holding 50 years of shame, anger and pain. It then took one year to write this message. It was cathartic to speak to a higher power - the Judge. I felt it authenticated me. The higher power used to be the headmaster/teacher or abuser. My Judge at the Royal Commission transferred power to me and helped discard the bastard from my very soul. I have placed him on the bottom of the scrap heap of all societies on the planet where he has belonged all along. Thank you.
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70 of 1054
My experience of being in an institution at such an early age, is missing my parents, their love, kisses and hugs is something I wish I could have had. The abuse by the missionaries was very hurtful and I still feel sad that I had to go through life at a tender age with this experience. I would like to keep all children safe so they can have a better life, without institutions and abuse and pain. (Life is not all butterflies and rainbows.)
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71 of 1054
I felt sick all morning before my private session, but they were so caring and compassionate which helped me to feel safe and not so uneasy. I now feel like I can finally put all this behind me after ruining my life for 25 years, although I still won't trust police. I feel like a weight has been lifted and now I'll pick up the pieces of my broken life, finally!!
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72 of 1054
Talking to the Commissioner was very difficult but she was so kind and compassionate and most importantly she believed and supported me. She has given me the courage to now try and help others. If I can say one thing to Australians it is: believe us. If a child discloses to you or you sense something is not right, please don't ignore it. Please tell someone. You may save a child from a lifetime of pain.
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73 of 1054
Thank you. The Royal Commission has given us a voice and allowed us to find a strength unknown. Many spoke of horrors that should never of had to be spoken. I did this for our children. Our children, must, be empowered, protected, nurtured and loved. No child should have to acknowledge or survive what we have. I want this process to mean something, to make a difference. I want the nightmares to stop. I want peace.
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74 of 1054
I deeply appreciated the opportunity to speak and be heard and believed and respected. It was a very emotional but also freeing process. And it is vital that our culture acknowledges these abusers - the institutions which in so many ways protected them, at the personal expense and suffering of the abused - so that our culture can begin in the long journey and work of healing.
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75 of 1054
You were so understanding in my interview with you and made me feel like a person. I slept well for the first time in years. I wish to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for the help and understanding you have provided.
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76 of 1054
My father died prematurely because of the abuse he suffered. He wasn't there to see me graduate, walk me down the aisle on my wedding day, or meet his grandson. My father missed out, I missed out, and my son misses out. Child sexual abuse affects us all.
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77 of 1054
I hope by myself and others coming forward it will help to make a change. Thank you for the opportunity to be heard.
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78 of 1054
My hope is through the hard work of the Commissioners and their staff that we are healing our country and stopping the institutional coverups of sexual abuse for the generations to come. If so, well done.
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79 of 1054
Police should take more notice when you report sex on a child, so something can be done by the Judge in court.
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80 of 1054
I was abused at the age of 11 years. I kept it to myself for 72 years. I know that by doing this my full potential in life was not reached. After my first contact with the Commission I had the fortitude to tell my wife and children. I should have spoken up earlier. Thank you Commission and staff.
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81 of 1054
"Game on!" The Church had its fun times with us little boys. We had no say in the 20th century. It's the 21st century, us little boys are now old men. "We now have a say" "Game over" 1968-1975
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82 of 1054
The rapes and sexual assaults I endured as a child, a Ward of the State, were just part of all the abuses heaped on me during my childhood. The emotional abuse, the sense of loneliness that continues to this day will never be erased. But, the acknowledgement by this Royal Commission that these things did in fact happen to me (and thousands of others!) means so much to me and is in fact priceless to me - even if my own two adult "boys" still refuse to believe that these horrors did happen to me. Thank you Australia. Thank you Commissioners and staff for your tireless work.
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83 of 1054
It was extremely hard for me to come forward and tell my story to the Royal Commission. I felt supported and respected. I did this for myself, my children, and all the other children out there. I now feel free and can live my life. It is now the Government's journey to follow this through.
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84 of 1054
I have come forward to tell my story so that the gaps in the system can be filled and no one should have to tell their story in the future.
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85 of 1054
The relief for me is that I now know, that by my actions, Australian history has to be re-written in reference to how enforced Child Migration and thousands of vulnerable children to Australia were criminal acts.
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86 of 1054
I was pleased I had the opportunity to speak to the Commissioner and relate my experience. I hope that my information helps their understanding of the problem and assists them in making sound and fruitful recommendations.
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87 of 1054
After my private session with the Royal Commission I felt a weight lifted, that had been there since my adolescence. I am now hopeful the injustices of the past toward children in institutions are history and never in the future.
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88 of 1054
Talking to the Royal Commission was scary at first but I am so glad I had the courage to speak out. I felt validated and that it was not my fault. Everyone has been so caring. If you have doubts - Do it! This needs to stop.
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89 of 1054
Dear Commissioner, thank you for listening to my story. I hope some good will come out in the end. No doubt you have heard many stories of abuse but we must be strong and get on with life. There are people worse off, I survived the abuse.
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90 of 1054
It's been a protracted journey in endeavouring to rectify the horrors/injustices of past institutional abuse to us as children in care. My "hope" is that the revelations sets the impetus for imperative changes in how we care for our most vulnerable. Thank you.
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91 of 1054
My story is long and very traumatic. I told my story to stand as a testament to all! Parents, listen to your children. Do not dismiss them! Those in power, tighten the laws! Don't let this happen again!
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92 of 1054
Remember my chains. Pray that I may speak gracefully; walk with wisdom, dignity and without hurry. May I cease to hide in the shadows, walk towards those outside of abuse; bearing no shame or guilt.
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93 of 1054
At last someone who listened and showed compassion and respect. The people I spoke to are exceptional people. It is encouraging to know that we the victims have a voice through the Royal Commission. After 50 years I am feeling a little bit better about myself.
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94 of 1054
It was okay to talk to the Royal Commission. Like many other people I have always been told to get on with everyday life. But it is okay to have dignity in ones life and it is not okay for a child growing up to be sexually abused. Everyone at the Royal Commission were very helpful. A lot of people were not supportive in homes, many years ago, so it is good to talk
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95 of 1054
It is hard for me to forgive them what they did to me. I have fought for my life. Some people say forgive them. The staff were good and friendly. I will try to forgive them.
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96 of 1054
Without the Royal Commission, I would have kept living a traumatised life or not a life at all. I want to thank you all the Justice, lawyers, councillor and persons whom arranged my care and direction. You all showed so much humanity at all times and understanding giving comfort to myself at all times in telling my story. The story which felt like a fairy-tale that happened to someone else most of the time in my 40 + years. I cannot thank you all enough, bless you. The people of Australia and the world need to listen and keep our children safe whoever's care they are in. Thank you from my heart and soul.
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97 of 1054
I give thanks to Jesus for the Royal Commission. My prayer is that the work of the Commission will bring healing to lives, including mine, in the years to come.
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98 of 1054
When you are bullied as a child you are hardly aware that you are being set up for learned helplessness. It teaches that you are an undesirable, you are not safe in this world and you are powerless to defend yourself. The child's neuron paths have forever been distorted. The child becomes the perfect candidate to take onboard fear, anxiety, seething anger, depression. You are viewed by others as weak, pathetic, a born loser. Over time the negative messages coming from your detractors become hardwired into the brain. In the end all the evil bullying assumptions levelled at an unfortunate institutionalised home boy finally become entrenched and internalised leading to an irreparable life sentence. Whilst counselling is helpful for this hopeless victim, one never ever again becomes quite whole.
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99 of 1054
Yes I'm glad I told the Royal Commission. I feel so much better in myself. I'm glad somebody believes me. The two people I told were supportive and understanding, let's move on and hope this is still not going on in boys' homes, any homes. I believe something will be done. No more cover ups in the system. Protect our children, please.
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100 of 1054
On behalf of my brother, sisters and parents I thank the Royal Commission for seeing those responsible are brought to justice and that it never happens to children again.
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Contributors were given editorial guidelines to help them prepare their message. These guidelines advised that messages containing identifying information or offensive language would be redacted or not published.