Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Who can participate in the Forum?
The Forum is open to hearing about the experiences of:
- people who have experienced child sexual abuse in a Victorian government school prior to the year 2000; and
- people who have experienced child sexual abuse in a Victorian non-government school prior to the year 2000 where the alleged perpetrator was previously an employee of a Victorian government school and allegedly committed child sexual abuse while working there.
If your experience occurred at a Victorian non-government school but you are unsure if it fits the description above, please contact the Forum to discuss further.
Does my experience need to have occurred at school?
The Forum is open to hearing about any experiences of child sexual abuse in a school context. This includes experiences that occurred:
- on the premises of a school where activities of the school took place or in connection with activities of the school, such as during school sports; and
- in circumstances where the school or its activities had created, facilitated, increased or in any way contributed to the risk of that abuse, such as where the alleged perpetrator met with their students outside of school hours.
If someone has passed away can their experiences be shared by someone else?
We want to make sure that the voices of people who have passed away are heard. If someone has experienced child sexual abuse at school prior to the year 2000 and has since passed away, their family or friends can share those experiences on their behalf.
Can the family or friends of someone who has experienced child sexual abuse at school prior to the year 2000 participate?
The Forum is focussing on the people who have experienced child sexual abuse at school prior to the year 2000 but understands that the family and friends of these people are also affected.
Family or friends can participate if the person who has experienced child sexual abuse can no longer share their experiences (for example, if they have passed away).
Participants are also welcome to bring a family member or a friend as a support person if they are attending a personalised session with the Chair.
Can witnesses of child sexual abuse in schools prior to the year 2000 participate?
The Forum is focussing on the people who experienced child sexual abuse at school prior to the year 2000 but understands that witnessing child sexual abuse is extremely traumatic and can have lifelong impacts. Witnesses to child sexual abuse in schools, including peers and teachers are not the focus of the Forum and are outside the scope of our Terms of Reference. If you are a witness to child sexual abuse, please visit our Support and wellbeing page to seek support.
How can someone participate in the Forum?
How you participate in the Forum is your choice. You can choose to book a personalised session with the Chair, Angela Connors. These sessions are an opportunity to share your experience directly, in person or online in a safe and respectful space. You can also choose to make a submission, whether in writing, in a voice recording, or in an artwork, poem or song – whatever feels right for you.
What is a personalised session?
Personalised sessions allow a participant to provide information face-to-face to the Chair. These sessions generally only include the Chair, a Forum staff member, the participant and a person chosen by the participants to support them, if any.
The Forum will determine the dates and locations of personalised sessions. They will generally last for an hour. Following the personalised session participants will have the opportunity to meet privately with a psychologist or qualified counsellor to debrief.
The Forum may conduct personalised sessions online or via telephone if it is necessary or appropriate to do so.
Can I bring a support person to my personalised session?
Yes. You are welcome to bring a support person with you when you attend a personalised session with the Chair. We want you to feel as comfortable and supported as possible.
What information will be collected (including information that is personal and about my experiences)?
How much information you share with the Forum is entirely your choice. You can choose to share as much information about your experience as you’re comfortable with. You can also choose to share your experience anonymously or confidentially. Our Engagement and Support team will talk you through the options so you can choose whatever feels right for you.
What will the experiences collected by the Forum contribute to?
The experiences shared with the Forum will contribute to the Forum’s report which is required to be delivered to the Premier of Victoria in May 2026. The Forum’s work and its report are intended to support healing and contribute to a shared understanding of the significant and far-reaching impacts of child sexual abuse and learn how to better prevent and respond to child sexual abuse now and into the future.
What will happen to personal information I provide?
All information shared with the Forum will be treated appropriately and with respect. The Forum will keep secure records of the information it receives. With your consent, the Forum may use some information it has collected publicly, which may include uploading it to our website and including it in the Forum’s report.
Can I participate and provide information anonymously?
Yes. You can choose to remain anonymous or use a pseudonym (a made-up name). The Forum will keep a record of your identity, but it will not name or identify you as being the source of that information. Whatever suits you – we will respect your choice.
Can I provide information confidentially?
Yes. You can choose to provide all or some of your information confidentially. While your information may still inform the Forum’s report, we will not publish or quote the confidential information.
Where can I learn more about providing information and what protections apply?
For more information, please see the Providing Information to the Forum document on our website on the Resources page.
Will the Forum use the information provided to report alleged perpetrators of child sexual abuse in schools?
We will manage the information you provide appropriately and with respect. We will respect how you want information about your experiences to be managed or disclosed to others.
In some cases, the Forum will be legally required to share information with others. The Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) requires anyone aged 18 or older who reasonably believes that a sexual offence has been committed in Victoria against a child under the age of 16 by another person aged 18 or older to disclose it to a Victorian Police Officer as soon as practical to do so. There are also a number of exceptions to this requirement.
For more information about reporting abuse and disclosing information to others, please see the Providing Information to the Forum document on our website on the Resources page.
How do I start my journey with the Forum?
To learn more or participate, including making a booking for a personalised session with the Chair, contact our Engagement and Support team on 1800 967 933 or email contact@truthandrecognition.vic.gov.au. We are open 9 AM to 5 PM weekdays, excluding public holidays.
This information is overwhelming. Where can I get support?
We understand that this information can be confronting and overwhelming. If you need support, please visit the Support and wellbeing page on our website to find a support service you can reach out to.
Common myths
Myths about child sexual abuse can contribute to shame, guilt and fear. Below are a list of common myths and the facts to help debunk the misconceptions.
MYTH: I feel guilty about not reporting the abuse earlier. I could have prevented more abuse from happening.
FACT: Trauma is complex. People delay reporting or stay silent for many reasons. Abuse might be mistaken by children for love or attention. This confusion can lead to guilt and fear. It is not your fault.
MYTH: My memory of the abuse is vague, so no one will believe me.
FACT: Trauma memories can be unclear or hidden. A person may not know that their experience was abuse until they are older.
MYTH: It's been a long time since the abuse, so I should be coping better now.
FACT: Pushing feelings away can make the trauma seem smaller than it is. Pushing memories and feelings away can affect people long-term. Sharing experiences can help people see the impact of trauma.
MYTH: People will not believe me because I have not spoken up sooner.
FACT: A person can seem fine while feeling deep shame or anxiety. Many people who have experienced child sexual abuse hide their distress to cope. It can take some people many decades to share their experiences.
MYTH: If I disclose sexual abuse, people will think I invited the abuse or did something to deserve the abuse.
FACT: No child deserves to be abused. The responsibility always lies with the perpetrator.
MYTH: I should keep the abuse a secret, so people do not judge me or treat me differently.
FACT: Shame and fear can make people stay quiet. Speaking up takes courage. Speaking up breaks the silence and can help others know that they are not alone.
To see more facts about child sexual abuse, you might like to visit the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare page.
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