- Home
- Final ReportClose
- Commissioners
- Terms of Reference
- Recommendations
- Preface and Executive Summary
- Our inquiry
- Understanding child sexual abuse in institutional contexts
- Child safe institutions
- Support and treatment
- Particular institutions
- Beyond the Royal Commission
- Redress and civil litigation
- Criminal justice
- Working With Children Checks
- Interim report
- Case studies
- Research & Resources
- Private Sessions

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.
After 41 years someone believes me; so many have suffered. No child in an institution should go through any sort of abuse. I believe eventually all - almost; will pay for what they have done. Save our young not to have to go through what has happened in the past.
For the first time in my life, I've been able to tell my story and felt that I was actually listened to and was believed. I was treated with nothing but the utmost kindness and compassion. I hope that all this brings about the changes needed to ensure no other child goes through what I did.
For sixty years I have kept my story private. I feel a feeling of relief after speaking with the Royal Commission. Once a child without a voice, now an adult ready to share my story without shame so that others can feel safe to speak out.
Telling my story at the Royal Commission was very important to me. I hope in time there will be specialised legal teams and court hearings for child sexual abuse that understand the full depth and breadth of the lifetime consequences for the victims.
All people should be treated with dignity and respect. Give a voice to the voiceless. Ill treatment and abuse almost cost me my life but I found freedom in forgiveness with strength above myself. In the future ensure that children are cared for by ethical people and not by those who want financial or sexual gain and power by so called "caring".
Thank you for listening to my story. People in positions of trust and dominance must be brought to account for their misdeeds, but also those who 'turned a blind eye' and allowed such sins to keep occurring. No more. Keep the public informed. No more abuse.
Dear Australia, I am a survivor, a prisoner, a human being, a transgender woman, a vulnerable person who has made mistakes in my life, and an Australian, and all I ask is to belong in Australia, to have purpose, to be understood, to be forgiven for my mistakes, and to be welcomed within Australian community. Please don't discard me.
I felt comfortable telling my story to the Commissioner, they listened to my story which showed respect. The institute was the first memoirs of my life. Not many people know this happened to me and why I react sometimes in situations. It was lovely to see an Aboriginal counsellor waiting for me when I finished. This showed they care about Aboriginal people.
How did I overcome the trauma of the abuse? I said to myself, "I was young, I was innocent, it was his problem not mine". It worked for me and it can work for you (Justice Rev 18:3-5,8) and (Relief Rev 21:4) are coming swiftly.
I wanted to forget about being in the homes etc...and I never talked to my family about it because I was ashamed or guilty about what happened there, but after talking to the Royal Commission and I was told it was not my fault and now I feel better. Many thanks to the Royal Commission, you are understanding people.
I was broken but now I can mend, slowly but surely I will become strong again. I have been angry for ten years but this is where I can now rebuild my life and begin to move on. Today we are quick to judge young people like myself who have stuffed up but has anyone ever asked why?
For the tiny inconvenience of having cameras installed at all primary schools will mean many children will not be sexually abused and go on to lead a life of drug addiction and no self-worth. Remember, these predators work extremely hard 24/7 all year round and are experts at seeming "normal" or "a wonderful person". Their evil desire is never satiated and they have 'networks'. Please, put cameras up in all primary schools and protect children who cannot protect themselves.
It was extremely gratifying to give evidence to this Royal Commission. I hope that in some way, my evidence helps this and future generations stamp out the scourge of child abuse that has gone unchallenged for so long. Thank you for listening to my experience.
Being held to ransom by perpetrators of abuse through 'silence' has now stopped thanks to the Royal Commission into Child Abuse. It doesn't make the wrongs of the institutions including Australia's archaic legal system any better as damage is done, however my hope is that it make's the future 'brighter' for kids.
Thank you for the opportunity of telling my story. I felt respected by all the staff of the Royal Commission. The process has been sensitive and respectful. It has been a light in the blackness. Childhood sexual abuse is a life destroying criminal act not limited to institutions. Education - community education I believe is the way to change the culture of "sweeping it under the carpet". The whole community standing together against child sexual abuse and valuing survivors is the answer.
After already doing a lot of healing over the years, the Royal Commission validated my abuse by believing me and also in me. I felt supported and at ease telling my story - so thank you. If by coming forward I can stop one child being abused, it will all be worthwhile.
This is and was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and talking about it has given me some sort of calm. Trusting someone with your story is very hard to do, so we must make sure this never happens again to another child. Some people do tell the truth!
From the age of fourteen we lived with the abuse silently. This is the start of my recovery, and the long overdue Commission into Child Abuse. I want to say thank-you for your time and your professionalism. Keep fighting the good fight and do all that is necessary to stop child abuse. Once again, thank-you.
Honoured to tell my story, as hopefully any place or persons, in the care of children, including carers, parents or guardians, to ensure in the teaching to children, to come forward and report anyone, in anyway who touches them inappropriately at anytime, as in my case. I always felt that I shouldn't as it felt good, and unfortunately felt that in some way I may have been at fault, to which no child should ever feel this way, past, present and future.
To survivors: Please know that the range of emotions you feel are valid, and your friends, family and professionals want to help you. To supporters: You have an important role to support, protect and help heal survivors. They have already been let down by trusted adults in the past. Do not repeat the pain and suffering. Be there and help heal the past.
G'day - Please talk to your children about the sexual abuse of children! Be aware of any changes in your child's moods/behaviour, do not write it off to hormones! Make sure your children can talk to you about anything! Ensure they know what is cool and what isn't. Love them unconditionally.
Please listen to your children and believe in them. Don't ever think they are safe in any institution. I was abused as a teenager in one such place. It still haunts me today. I told no one in my family fearing I would not be believed and locked up away in that terrible place for a lot longer.
I have opened up and reclaimed my life; my wife and family now enjoy my company in a sober manner. Since I have told my story (after 47 years) I have become more of the person that I always wanted to be. Thank you for listening. If there is one word of advice to give - it would be "tell someone".
Thank you sincerely for the opportunity to share the abuse my partner experienced as a child and the impact this has had on him and subsequently our family. Thank you to every person I've had contact with at the Commission. They have all been calm, sincere and compassionate and this has reassured me that the process is confidential and that our story is honoured. This considered professionalism gives assurance that the experiences will be treated with staid respect and that the recommendations to minimise future occurrences will be based on authentic failings of the past.
I thank you for your time, I was going to not go due to nerves but I believe in helping our future generations no matter what culture or place. I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders. It will always be a work in progress and with support I've got after is a blessing. God bless and kind regards always to the Royal Commission for caring and listening.
The abuse has damaged my life greatly, despite me trying to look and act as though I am "normal". The trauma never goes away, however hard I try. Every day is immensely difficult. I am grateful to the Royal Commission people for listening.
I can't change the past, but I believe that by speaking out, I have changed the future. Children deserve their innocence, and if for inexcusable reasons it's lost - they deserve to be heard and believed. Thank you Royal Commission for listening and believing, and most importantly, for respecting us and making a change.
The Royal Commission really should look more at compensation for victims. I really feel the Salvation Army have gotten off lightly basically because "it was in the past". The Commission must look at compensation as justice for victims.
During the last 30 years I have set myself up in DOH accommodation on the Lower North Shore, acquired a pension and - after much arguing - told my family to "bugger off". Mum and Dad are already dead. Having told the Royal Commission of my sexual abuse in refuges where my family dumped me I feel whole again. Thanks.
Thank you. Although I haven't been right mentally for the past fifty years, I can now see things clearer. I just want future generations never having to deal with the same trauma that I and many others have had to live with for such a long time.
Having a private session with the Royal Commission was the best thing I have ever done in relation to my abuse, I felt respected and supported. Was such a relief to be heard and acknowledged for what I have endured as a result of the abuse I suffered. Staff were professional, supportive and friendly.
Like many others, I feel a great weight lifted, and appreciate this opportunity to share my experiences of an innocent child in a not so compassionate caring environment, it was difficult times then and difficult going to share my story, so I am glad I did, as many cannot.
The Royal Commission team has shown me people do care in our society. To be finally believed and understood has helped me get better and as a direct result of this my family has benefitted. The changes I have made have helped me in attracting very good people in my life and now I can become the person I always wanted to be twenty nine years ago. I cannot forget but now I can live. I thank my country - for being Australia.
The past cannot be changed, but the future can be changed. Our children should never be abused by the people who are charged with the responsibility of caring for them. Children are the only future Australia has. We must put programs in place such as prevention, education, counselling and protection. Thank you Australia.
I thank Julia Gillard for initiating this process - for listening to the cries of people over time and realising something had to be done about it. The Royal Commission enabled me to accompany my daughter, to offer the support needed to enable her to have a voice - to be heard - to count, to have her story accepted as truth with compassion and without intimidation. It is so good that survivors of sexual abuse have been given this opportunity. Hopefully the government will take heed of the recommendations and complete this process appropriately so that children are protected forever and those who have suffered and spoken up, will go forth with a sense of satisfaction and achievement. My hope too, is that victims of bullying, control, harassment and intimidation without the sexual abuse, will too, one day soon, be given the opportunity to reveal their truth through a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Psychological Abuse.
Bringing this abuse to the Royal Commission is the best idea but needs to result in harder penalties for offenders found guilty. There was some confusion regarding redress vs "telling my story". There should be more education of children around "keeping safe". Children in care should be more closely checked.
As an Indigenous Australian, to know that my culture is as important as the next culture, regardless of circumstances, race or gender, we are one, we all share the burden of child abuse. And where we all thought at one stage there's no one and we all must suffer. Then there was the Royal Commission, that has made us all feel we will be heard, believed and we are important. And I thank you.
Please try to be kind to the most vulnerable in our communities. Empower them and help them to rise above their circumstances. Remember: "Spare the rod and spoil the child" is a lie. Children don't need to be "taught a lesson" by the use of physical violence. The strong have an obligation to help the weak. Sexual abuse of children has the opposite effect, often crippling the child for life. It does damage always.
I am an Aboriginal Woman, I went through sexual abuse by a priest in a confession box in a church, my private session with the Royal Commission is a beginning of my healing and to move forward. One positive thing that came out of this process is my husband got to hear my story. He now understands my ongoing depression I have had for many years. I was 11 years old, now I am 47 years old; it still impacts on me.
Historically, what the powers that be say they'll do about child sexual abuse and what they actually do do are two separate things. That's why the damage done by child sexual abuse lives on in 2015. Therefore the ultimate measure of our worth as a culture is counted not by what we know, but by what we do with what we know or have accidentally discovered.
Many governments have failed thousands of children over many years, welfare name changes over the past 50 years of my life, have wasted many millions of tax paying people of Australia's money in changing name of the welfare departments with little or no fair or transparency to the public, public funds not used properly.
I am so relieved, someone believed me and wanted to hear about my pain. Someone I could trust. Even though I feel flat and depressed and have strong feelings, of which elude me at this point in time. I will try and move on with my life and create a brand new me. Thank you!
To be treated with respect and to have a sensitivity towards my feelings, taken into consideration, was a new and positive experience! It means I sleep easier at night and much of the anxiety and worry I've carried around with me all my life I can now put aside. Thank you so very much.
One of many families so damaged, 40 years begging, pleading for help, justice, protection, fell on deaf ears, stigma, judged, children, grandchildren's lives, ours, swept away, self-harm, unbearable pain, empty, lost, no esteem, dignity gone, too late for us, not for others. Thank you for your ears and hearts. I feel valued now, and peaceful, I can breathe at last.
I am no longer that eight year old child. I now have a voice. I am a voice for myself, for my brother (RIP)... for my family. May all children be liberated from harm and abuse and be viewed as the legitimate citizens they are, and treated accordingly.
I want to have the strength and courage to move forward which the Royal Commission has given me and also along the way the privilege and the honour to help many more generations to come as our children are our future and need as much advice and support as they can get. Thank you.
Hi. After spending 15 1/2 years in the system I would like to take this chance to thank the Royal Commission and anyone else involved in dealing with child sexual abuse and hope we can stop child abuse happening again. So thank-you again and God bless to all involved.
Having had a private session, which availed the opportunity to supply the government with facts relating to my abuse as a child, I now expect to finally see changes to prevent this in the future. Then and only then will my healing begin! Please, please, please let this be real and not just some trick by the government... please.
The Commissioner was the last step in my journey, after my childhood abuser was jailed. The guilt and shame remain but the empathy and understanding the Commissioner gave me, will help me heal. Knowing my feedback will assist in making the process easier for other victims is wonderful.
Children are precious and also vulnerable. We, as a society, need to protect all children and we are now much better at this, thanks to organisations like Bravehearts and the Royal Commission. Follow examples set by these above and keep protecting children and listening to their wishes for safety and advocacy.
The Royal Commission has extended to me understanding, empathy and belief. These months since I spoke to the Commission have been trying, however when I think about the kindness that the staff of the Commission gave to me I know there is hope for the future.
Hi. My name is blank, story is one of many and my feelings for how I was treated are that of much stress and overwhelming I have carried it for so long in my heart that it was a relief to know that I wasn't alone. I only wish well for all who had to endure the pain and suffering to put their best foot forward and live for the now. God bless.
The Royal Commission gave me a voice and believed me. My former school were defensive and their half-hearted reactions to my report made me feel diminished and embarrassed. Once the Royal Commission came about, my old school changed their response to one of responsibility and compassion. It should have been like that from the beginning. The school's response caused me further trauma.
When a young, innocent child is taken advantage of by a selfish adult in a premeditated and predatory way, the sense of helplessness is profound. This betrayal cannot be easily undone. Thank you to the Commissioners and their team for beginning to right these wrongs.
Australia, I am a survivor of sexual abuse. Just know if you are a victim you are never alone. This is Australia! The best country in the world, friends are always close by, and there's always a brighter day. May you find strength in Allah, and peace be upon you all. Sincerely, a friend.
My message to this great country of Australia is that children who have been in care, should be treated with respect. Boys and girls should not be moved together growing up, because when abuse happens between them and when you tell the authorities about it, you get no support and it makes you feel guilty, ashamed, also feel like a piece of rubbish. How is healing ever supposed to happen ever!!!!
Thank you to the Royal Commission for giving the abused child inside of me a voice and forum to tell of my abuse. Having told my story, and for it to be believed, has given me an overwhelming sense of relief. Hopefully those guilty of the abuse of us vulnerable children, who had their childhoods forever damaged, will be brought to justice. Let our collective stories be a lesson to future generations that this never happens again. I am one of the lucky ones. I am a survivor.
Be aware that if you are molested by anyone you should tell someone you trust. Don't leave it until it's too late to e.g. after the abuser has died, as in my case, as you are not always believed. Even after many years, it is difficult to forget.
I cry a thousand tears every day for the loss of my beautiful son who was unable to speak out about his sexual abuse whilst at boarding school. Through the Royal Commission I now know he has a voice to speak on his behalf, an ear to listen and hearts that care. May the angels watch over him.
I am a scared child in a man's body. I thought no one would ever believe what happened to me. Now I have spoken maybe my brain can start to mature and I can become a 'real' man. It shouldn't of happened but it did and now I've let the story out of "the prison in my head". I have never spoken up but I do feel better for doing so. Speak up!
Thank you for the opportunity for the private session at the Royal Commission. It opened up some old wounds, but I am pleased that I have now had my say! Everyone was most supportive and understanding towards me. I hope my part has contributed to what should never happen anymore to children.
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.