I thank the Royal Commission for hearing my story. My greatest hope from this is that Doc's change the way they place children and no other child has to feel the pain that many of us have.

To all of the children who suffered, no education, who are now adults, I am one of them, my own children gave me strength to go on. This coming out means we are believed, after many years of it just being in our heads. I tried to tell my doctor at 25, now I am 64 years on. Believe in your child.

When a child first experiences, develops imagination, a whole new world unfolds before them. A place to go to escape and enjoy. There in lies a dream to be fulfilled, a challenge, an aim. It teaches play, anticipation, it teaches there is no harm - just imagination. Until... those evil people who come to threaten, destroy dreams, and take away confidence. They are not human yet they are real. Australia, unite and find them, expose them, keep them from destroying our young children's dreams. Australia, love our children, cherish and nurture them and may these atrocities never ever enter our society - ever. I remain positively hopeful.

I wanted to write a book once with the title, I wanted to kill myself and I'll come but the next day and I'll start again. I'd now call it, I want to live without this abuse in my head all the time. The Commission has made this so.

I do hope the blank will all be held accountable and it must stop by moving nuns and priests around to other places to continue their evil. Even blank has stood up in court for paedophiles. Thank you for listening to the facts behind my story. It's taken 51 years to be heard and for me to tell it as it was doing harm to all my family. It's a long way from me moving on but it's a start. You were both great to talk to. Thank you.

Private session, the Commissioner and the Commission officer made me welcome and the atmosphere of the private session was relaxed. For the first time since the day of abuse (76 years!) the two people were patient, un-horrid and sympathetic. The time I spent with them was unique and gave me a feeling of freeing, liberating. Although I always believed that the abuse I experienced had a serious effect on me, the fact that I remember it so clearly after 76 years indicates that it was scarred into my memory. I hope now, after the kind way the Commissioner and the Commission officer treated me that the memory will finally be erased. Also, I have to say, I enjoyed the private session and was sorry when it was over. 20/18/2016

Through putting my submission in, I had focused counselling, I learned I was groomed, I wasn't at fault for how I felt and at times thought. I can now look the world in the eye. I would have had kids except for the abuse. I now know I'm not a blank person.

Thank you "Royal Commission", and all the caring and supportive people involved, you have allowed me to tell my story in a safe, supportive environment. Because of you I have received counselling, made friends and can live again!

Shakespeare has said (in "The Tempest"), "Hell is empty and all the devils are here!" Thank you for the opportunity to help you challenge that. May the good work continue.

My private session gave me the opportunity to tell my son and my family's story and to stress the effects of sexual abuse are more far reaching than just the victim. We must put measures in place to ensure this does not happen to vulnerable children again by people in authority over them. So many lives destroyed! It has brought about a type of healing between my son and myself.

We often hear the words "who's looking after the children". The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse is the first step to reform. With checks and balances and a no-grey-area. That will ensure better trained workers and funding to recognise and evaluate misconduct where even without fear or failure. Thank you for allowing my voice I feel worth.

When I was 15 years old, I escaped from the blank in QLD. I had been exploited in a brothel run by an ex-police officer. The other 350 teenage inmates were all foster children, brain damaged by years of government drugging to make them forget. Two of my grandchildren suffer the same fate. A brother-in-care died from too much tasering, sodomy and drugging. No relief.

What happened to me as a child, no person should ever live with and not tell anyone. What a relief it was to speak up and tell my story to the Royal Commission. All children abused should report it to authorities. It took me sixty years to speak about it. Don't be afraid to speak up to the authorities. Thank you.

The protection of children and teenagers from sexual assault must be our generation's greatest challenge in the future.

Now I am a grandmother, I want to protect my children and their children, so that is why you should keep them and have them, protect them. When I was a child, I was placed in a home as an innocent child. I trusted people to take care of me, they failed!!

I was glad I told my story to the Royal Commission. It is something I haven't told anyone about and it has lifted a great load off my shoulder.

Thank God for this Royal Commission. After 64 years of carrying this burden it has been lifted by my being able to tell my story of my childhood abuse, and to be believed and commended for doing so. At last I am free to enjoy the rest of my life.

If I'd been listened to back then, things would have been different. It's too late for that but I hope sharing my story helps to spare some of our future, vulnerable kids this shame, pain and grief.

Please Australia protect our children from sexual abuse. Speaking to the Royal Commission has given relief to 30 years of anguish and guilt. It is now up to the Royal Commission and the people of Australia to ensure it never happens again.

It was a pleasure to stand up and be counted. Nothing about it was intimidating. It was like a warm embrace... everybody was so nice. The Commission is a great endeavour and a credit to our nation. It's lovely to live in a country where occasionally people look out for each other. I was only 9 years old, how can you comprehend sex abuse when you don't have the vaguest sense of what is happening to you?

I was really sad to tell my story to the Royal Commission. But I had to for the boys who suffered like me from child sexual abuse and mental abuse. I told the story for a good friend who passed away so young because he suffered as much as me. I hope this will not happen again. Thank you to the Royal Commission, too.

It was difficult but worth it to finally actually do something about it rather than have it all inside. It encouraged me to write to the school that their mantra of "dedicated teachers", "tradition" and "distinguished old boys" had another side. My letter was ignored. Even with all the public awareness, their institutional response today hasn't changed. Let's hope the Royal Commission hits them and their ilk hard.

After many years of watching my son's life spiralling out of control and searching for answers - those answers being cruel, brutal and devastating, destroying entire families, it is of some relief and comfort to be heard and believed. All staff involved with the Royal Commission are very compassionate and supportive.

My message to Australia. After years of abuse I have finally taken the arduous journey to empty my Pandora's box of suppressed memories and cesspool of emotions. The Royal Commission gave me the opportunity to tell my story, which has set me free from a lifetime of guilt and shame. I am a survivor and have reclaimed my life so I can live in peace. The Government must accept these recommendations and act now, in the hope of preventing future child abuse. Thank you Australia for listening.

I am still finding it hard to live my life so many years after my horrors had finished. For myself, sleep is the worst part for me. Years later I turned to drugs to escape the reality I still live every day. The Royal Commission has helped me a bit because my own family don't know what has happened to me and I finally got a change to tell someone what I went through and now I can hold my head high knowing those who done wrong by me wont be able to hurt anyone else. Well all I can say is to speak up to anyone who has or is going through any abuse as a kid. Well now I'm in prison and tell the right people my story and to help anyone else I hope. Thank you to all that helped me.

Thank you for acknowledging me and my story. I am alive today as a survivor after breaking the code of silence. Secrets crippled me, speaking up allowed me to live again.

Children need a loving open relationship with parents, encourage children to share daily experiences. This would discourage unwanted advances by strangers.

Thank you, a load off my back, I shared with you.

The Royal Commission has opened doors... providing a place for truth, to honour the past. In doing so the team helped me understand my rights and offered a nurturing environment to heal. I now look forward to my future in knowing that it is possible to truly recover from sexual abuse as in the end it is up to yourself. It is a great step forward for Australia's future. Thank you.

I thank the Royal Commission for listening to my story. It's still very difficult for me to forgive and forget, but in my heart, I feel after 53 years I need to make an effort to forgive.

I didn't mind one bit to tell my story to the Royal Commission, knowing it would help others to speak up. No children should have to suffer at the hands of others and get away with it. So speak up as you will be helping others to speak up.

A short message to the people who would like to tell their life story of this time in an institution to the Royal Commission about sexual abuse and you will be helping to make it safer for the future of all children. So don't be afraid to speak out, now is your chance. Don't leave it until it's too late to have your say. 14.11.2014

It is a big relief to tell my story fully and openly, knowing that it can be used to prevent others in future both from suffering abuse as children but more importantly from going on to offend in like manner. I feel like a great weight is lifted from me so I can get on with life.

A very difficult traumatic experience was made easy by the genuine compassion shown by the Commission. I am positive initiatives will come from this process that will help ensure that these atrocities of child abuse will be prevented. Even though it is extremely hard I feel we victims need to assist in ensuring people do not suffer as we did.

As many others, my chance to live with unbroken growth was stolen at the hands of this parasitic culture. As Australians, as human beings, we need to stand together to stamp out this disease of destruction. All children need to be loved and nurtured, not abused and destroyed. It can only stop with us, no more silence!

Telling my story to the Royal Commission and knowing that I am believed has allowed me to move on with my life. We must never ever let a child suffer again. I am very thankful to the Commissioner who listened and believed me.

It has been fifty years since I was physically and sexually molested as a small boy by a Marist Brother. Telling my story to the Commissioner was a very helpful experience, thank you. I sincerely hope me coming forward will prevent this sort of crime from ever happening again.

A secret kept for 50 years, a ruined life, oh what may have been. Thank you for listening and your understanding.

After telling about my experience, it was finally good to let go of all the anger and shame I've carried around for a long time. I can finally let go of the past and start a new beginning.

If I can help anyone so they don't have to go through what I went through I will work my hardest. The Royal Commission is a vital part of a hard process to let people know that someone is listening. Thank God someone listened. (Keep strong).

After decades of silent suffering, we found people who not only listened to us, showed us belief, compassion and then acted to change how politicians, churches, charities and the community handle child sexual abuse in the future. Now, every Australian can work towards ending child sexual abuse in our great nation.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has reminded me that someone believes my story. I will always have memories of my abuse but it will help me to continue to lobby government and reminds me that I'm a survivor not a victim.

Speaking to the Royal Commission was hard, especially as it meant having to relive the bad times. But if it helps to bring perpetrators to justice it will be worth it.

Thank you for hearing and allowing me to feel safe while sharing my 42 year old secret. Sharing my story has now given me the courage and strength to continue on my journey to emotional and spiritual freedom, free from shame and guilt.

The Royal Commission has shown me that the pain and the attitude towards sexual abuse in rural areas of Australia can be washed away if we all tell our stories we can stop this in the future. I never expect my life to be normal but at least I feel comfort knowing there is strength in numbers. Thank you everyone.

Say it like it is - you will find someone who cares, will listen and want to help. Help stop this crime against the innocent. Thank you Australian Royal Commission.

The result of my daughter's assault had a devastating effect on her, her children and my family and we were let down appallingly by the justice system. The tragic results of these sinister acts can go on for generations.

What upset me most was the fact that I had to wait 52 years to be able to tell my story. The decision-makers need to learn and do everything possible to prevent this terrible thing from happening to our children.

Thank you for your caring, and support and listening with compassion. On doing so, my story is that this will never happen in Australia again. Children deserve care and understanding when their life is not as fortunate as others. They must be heard and treated with care, as they are the future of this country.

I waited 66 years to be heard like this. It was worth the wait.

If you feel or notice something suspicious please say something. Please care.

Children are innocent, naive and each day they explore this world through interactions. This interaction should be safe and enjoyable for the child, and not scarring for life. Children should be free to be children without fear of predation by those whose job it is to nurture them.

I was sexually abused by an blank as a minor blank more than 34 years ago. The effects have been life long problems. It is only now that I am able to recount my nightmare. The association of the victims of Defence abuse has been invaluable in providing support. Defence must not only ensure that abuse never happens again, but must support those who have been abused. Avoiding the issue for fear of cost is not an option. Restitution must be forthcoming to heal us.

I have had this abuse on me in my head for over 50 years now. I am grateful for the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse for helping me to release this. Please stop this abuse on children.

Thank you for listening to the facts behind my story. It's taken 51 years to be heard and for me to tell it as it was doing harm to all my family. It's a long way from me moving on but it's a start. You were both great to talk to. Thank you.

The world can be an ugly place, when we have been sexually assaulted and its fear, that keeps us silent. Make a difference and speak your fears to others to hear. If we all stand as one, then we can stamp out the abuse towards us and our children. To encourage others to take their first steps and to let the rainbow colours shine. Hope this is all right. It comes from the heart. Thank you so much.

My fellow Australians, as an Aboriginal survivor of child sexual abuse I can honestly say the time does come when you feel a sense of closure has started. All the unpleasant thoughts that I have been struggling with for some 50 years almost convinced me that the nightmare in my head was never going to end. But now that I have found the strength to speak to genuinely concerned people as well as staff within the Royal Commission, I feel I'm being listened to the way I've longed to be listened to for decades. I truly believe all my silent crying for help is being taken serious by people who honestly understand that victims can't find personal inner peace alone. A fellow Aussie.

My carer was a female and she encouraged males to sexually abuse me. Whilst she verbally abused me, physically hurt me and through the church pretended all was well. It has been hard to trust females and church people. Being a female this made life difficult. My motto "trust no-one".

If the Royal Commission's future recommendations and objectives are adhered to and sincerely acted upon by the Defence Forces, then The Anzac Spirit will no longer be defiled within the Defence Force by sexual abuse amongst its ranks.

It is very unfortunate that Australia's legal system is very lax when delivering sentences to sexual abuse offenders. Until, the sentence reflects the crime S/A will continue to flourish. And being labelled as a state ward is a stigma we carry all our lives. Never let another child have an empty childhood as a lot of state wards have had in the past. Even in 2016 one hears that children are still suffering in the foster care system. Australia needs to drastically change their protection laws.

For so long I have felt alone and living with the trauma, pain and heart ache from the sexual abuse by the hand of institutions we're meant to trust. I have been robbed of my innocence and my life up to now it's been so hard. I have never felt comfortable talking about the abuse, how it's kept me up for many nights crying myself to sleep. The Royal Commission have given me a sense of hope.

I have been silent for 45 years. Before, during and after my private session at the Royal Commission the staff were very kind and considerate. Speaking the words aloud was very difficult, but it was good to get it out. We must all do what we can to prevent the sexual abuse of children now and in the future and bring the perpetrators to justice. There must be safe pathways in all institutions to enable children to speak up.

Time doesn't heal all wounds. What it does, is give you the knowledge and tools to help make it a little easier and gives you hope that one day, just maybe, people will listen and "Act".

3/11/2016 Being a survivor of child sexual abuse, to all the survivors and to the Royal Commission: (formally blank) I would like to sincerely thank you with my upmost appreciation for accepting and allowing me to gain confidence, strength and courage in being able to "speak up and be heard". Yesterday, today and future, we must diligently protect all babies, toddlers and children, teenagers, young adults and the elderly from evil paedophiles always. Cheers.

Since speaking to the Commission about my story I feel that nothing will be done to help the children of Australia, I believe to make a difference our laws need to be more strict: Punishments need to fit the crimes not just a slap on the wrist land let go to do the same again. Pre-murders need the death penalty freeing up jails. Society would think before committing crimes on a whole. God has never recorded his hours it's only humans who did.

Thanks for listening blank and Hon. McClellan. I know I'll never be the same so a little bit of special needs would help! Please.

Exposing the ugliest truth beats living the loveliest lie.

I will always remember the respect that the RC into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, team gave me and my sisters; this was a stark contrast to the lack of respect we received in the Salvation Children's Home. I thank all those involved for making it easier for me to tell my story. I look forward to the forthcoming recommendations and hope they will go a long way, if implemented, in having positive stories for children going into care now and in the future.

I've carried my childhood experiences for 35 years and finally been heard, believed and totally supported. Although I will never get the childhood I deserved back, I hope and pray that my story has helped keep Australia's talented and innocent young children safe from predators in the future. Thank you so much to the Commissioner and his entire team. I'm forever grateful.

The Royal Commission has given me a safe forum to tell my story to someone who knows what to do with it. To have this opportunity has been liberating. For those who are still unable to come forward and tell their story, they will have a proxy voice from the rest of us and hopefully know that there is understanding, compassion and belief out there.

I would sincerely like to thank the Royal Commission staff for their assistance in helping me get through the Tribunal hearing in sharing my experiences of sexual abuse. I have carried this stigma for 63 years and feel this mental burden will finally be eased. Please keep this necessary work going so as to protect other children in the future.

I was nervous when I was appearing for the Commission but I was able to relax. Just being able to tell your story was a great relief. I really want my life to be told so others don't have to go through what I had to. Let's stop abuse to children. The more resources we have hopefully we can stop it forever. Let's not forget love and compassion.

"So, what do you want to be when you grow up?" I doubt anybody chooses to be a paedophile/child molester... To those unfortunate enough to be thus afflicted I wish self control, mercy and forgiveness. To their victims I pray for grace and healing. There are no winners here...

After years of nightmares and depression and anxiety, hopefully now I can live a normal life and one of peace. I may even be able to trust others, thanks to the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse. I also hope that this helps others from the past and prevents others from the same.

My sense of relief since talking with the Commissioners last month has been immense and has really surprised me. I think it is knowing that our community leaders are now trying to deal with this evilness that has permeated our society and make real, positive changes for future generations of children in Australia. I'm not alone.

I never ever thought in my lifetime that something should of been done about sexual abuse in institutional homes. Now the Royal Commission is doing something about it, justice will be done, children will live safely, the anger and pain I have suffered has now nearly gone away, but not forgotten what happened to me. God bless you all, when we can all live in a better world again.

One day, I hope someone will read this, and think of the potential for my life lost as a girl. Remember the trust I had for those I loved; my blind belief in goodness; my identity that was so bright and clear. Now I am a set of initials - my life's potential frozen long ago - my hope is broken. I say to survivors like me - we were not things to be used. We are real. I think of you all the time, the children we were and adults we are now. Those of us who didn't survive, I say to society, don't let my story be lost to history. You didn't protect me then, but the potential for your humanity, hope and identity is limitless, if you are brave. Stand up. speak out. You have future generations of children to protect now, and every day to come. With love from a single survivor.

I am a 66 year old victim of catholic priests' sexual abuse blank. I have suffered from bipolar, PTSD, panic attacks for 17 years unable to hold permanent work. We need more protection of our little children from these priests, more teachings in schools and the Vatican to take a huge stand. No more cover-ups.

The land is life, Aboriginal people are the keepers of Australia. But everything has changed now. We are nothing, nobodies, useless in this white man's world. (Lord have mercy).

I told my story now I am remembering more and more and felt like blank after. I feel sad, angry, blank off. I don't think anything will change at all, that blank me off. I will never forget what happened to me, ever, ever, but thanks if you believed me. I don't think anyone does and it makes me mad, angry, sad. Thanks for trying but I don't trust anyone anymore, never trust anyone.

Few people realise how well Jehovah's Witnesses hide sexual predators. I am glad to be able to expose what happened to me. I felt listened to, and would love to see a world where children are protected from this.

I felt very much respected and believed while sharing my story. I feel more self-worth after this chance to talk to staff who know what I've been through. It's better to put it out on the table and I can get support and keep healing.

Will the abused ever feel the guilt - of the guilty ones.

I didn't tell anyone about the abuse that was done at blank detention centre until now and I feel a lot better. At the time I felt worthless but now it feels like I can move on with my life. It will always be in the back of my head but I am going to feel better about my life and the years to come.

Before going in to meet the Royal Commission I was really scared. Everyone before them, especially my school and the police judged, questioned, doubted and accused me. The options/process I needed to take to seek justice was far too hard. The Royal Commission allowed me to bring in my mum for support. Once I felt comfortable, I was able to tell my story. I came out of the meeting feeling empowered and feeling more like I owned my own story. Thank you for listening and for validating.

To all paedophiles, you changed us from what we were born to be. We feel dirty, unworthy to be a friend, unable to love or trust, that part of us is crippled. We are always, always alone. To those good people involved in this inquiry, we, the abused, can only say thank you for finally being heard and believed. It eases our burden to know that finally these dreadful secrets and the institution that protected them can be exposed, and I can say I did nothing wrong. So thank you.

It was great to be treated with respect and dignity by the RC and to be heard and believed like I should've been as a teenager when I first spoke of the abuse I endured at the ashram. Thank you.

My partner encouraged me to share my story. While it was very difficult I felt very supported by the Commissioner and staff. Before talking to the Royal Commission I had only spoken to two people. I feel I now have closure and I can get on with my life. Thank you.

I had no idea that I would be treated with such compassion and kindness, finally someone apart from immediate family to talk to. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and can only express my gratitude and sincere thanks to all the marvellous staff.

13-4-2016 - I am 70 years old, 5 foot tall and overweight. I have had a lifelong rare condition called blank. This causes me to collapse and become paralysed. It is like being in a coma, but you hear everything. My brother and I were boarded into the Church Children's home in blank. I was 9 and he was 5. We were separated. This home was much like the movie "Oliver Twist". Our trauma was unspeakable. My brother passed away in 2011. I carried the baton for him and told our story to the Royal Commission. The kindness I received helped me to wash away the dirt from my history. Thank you so much for my freedom. Signed blank Migrant Child.

I've survived sexual, emotional, physical, financial, mental child abuse. So if I can, everyone can! As I have, please stay strong and know in this there's always "light at the end of the tunnel". It's too much of a shame (after child/any form of abuse, sexual or other) not to make the most out of life afterwards.

At 71 I now feel that what was done to me and my friends and my brothers by a scout master may finally be put into the light of day. I now understand a little bit why my friends died so young. I got so much out of scouts but lost it all by blank actions against us as young teenagers.

My message to Australia is to stop this from happening to other children in care. Also I think that foster parents and children in care should have visits regularly. Also the pain is unbearable, I am a mother as well and healing is needed endlessly.

My message has always been for the Royal Commission, and the book to be held in trust has always been, I quote, to always listen to our children they are and their voice is our future our past never tell any child they're too young to give their version of matters that affect them directly, they are humans they feel like we all do, never cheat a child of their basic human rights to have a voice no matter their age. Quote unquote by blank, my message for all Australia.

I am glad that after all these years the effects of abuse is being recognised, especially the effects of childhood sexual abuse. I am sad that so many have had their lives destroyed by childhood sexual abuse. I am mad that the government is silencing anyone trying to speak out on behalf of the children in detention centres who are being abused.

For the first time in my life somebody cared to listen. I was really scared because we would get physically abused if we spoke up. I hope and also pray to God that my story helps our children in the future. Thank you all.

Felt really sad my family needed to be included in the hoards of us that need this help. 3 generations and reporting has gone ignored. Perhaps this generation can make change and stop the tears and fears of our children. Blank needs to stop taking children and start removing adults!! Why punish children more for what they have no say in. Let's change. It takes a community to raise a child and 1 adult to break 50 years and still crying.

I came out to Australia in 1952 from France. I was in blank and child sexual abuse in the dormitory late at night in my bed. I was very nervous in telling my story to the Royal Commission and I was scared so many times in the ... room when all of my palms of my hand were bleeding. I could tell you more. My social life has been taken away from and I am 72 years old on 30 September and I'll never get married. I would like some compensation over all these years it has affected all me all of my life.

My message is that this abuse has to stop now. We need a committee to decide on strategies, educate parents, children on what is grooming, educate our legal system and judges, go into schools work with the education system. We will no longer be victims. It has destroyed my whole life, I'm now 62. Suicide has always been an option, but I will not let them beat me. Give me a change to talk publicly about sexual abuse and the affect it has life long. We are now after you offenders, here we come. You are scum and destroy lives.

Although the government didn't look after me properly, neither did Aboriginal Child Care. I feel let down that my childhood was ruined because of lazy and ignorant workers. I hope telling my story stops this from happening to other little children.

Australian law is a load of crap, it follows America too much when it should follow England. I am an Aboriginal. I was fostered to blank.

Wake up everyone - "Every child deserves", 'kind and gentle love', not adults', or teens' perverted 'lusting love'! Scars ruin lives - on all levels. Parents, schools, religions and governments, must stand firm from 2014. CSA must be in the public mind - only by your actions - forever more - end it now!!