This could be very important for people with disabilities to know about.
This email is to provide you with information concerning supports available for people affected by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Royal Commission Community-Based Support Services
For many people taking part in the Royal Commission will not be easy, and telling their story will open up old wounds.
The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that people who are affected by the Royal Commission have access to appropriate support.
28 organisations across Australia were funded to provide Royal Commission community-based support services for people, and their families, affected by the Royal Commission and to ensure people are supported to participate in the Royal Commission.
It’s important for victims and survivors to have a choice in where they access support, so a broad range of organisations have been funded. These include national, local and specialist organisations that can all provide a broad range of services including counselling, support and case management.
These community-based support services are part of a suite of services to support people affected by the Royal Commission.
A list of these support services, along with their contact details, is available at
Assistance Available to Witnesses
The Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) is administering grants for legal financial assistance and witnesses’ expenses for witnesses appearing before the Royal Commission. A witness is anyone called, or given leave to appear, at a public or private hearing of the Royal Commission. This includes:
Legal financial assistance – a grant to cover the reasonable costs of legal representation and disbursements relating to the provision of evidence to the Royal Commission.
Witness expenses – a payment to assist with the costs of attending a hearing. Expenses covered include a daily appearance fee that is an entitlement for all witnesses. Witnesses may also be entitled to payments for travel, accommodation and lost income. (Note: this does not include private sessions.)
Information on how to apply for legal financial assistance and witness expenses (including guidelines, fact sheets and application forms) can be found on the AGD website at www.ag.gov.au.
Alternatively, you can contact the financial assistance section within AGD on 02 6141 4770.
National Legal Advisory Service – knowmore
The Australian Government has also funded knowmore, an independent, free, national legal advisory service to provide procedural information and advice to persons engaging, or considering engaging, with the Royal Commission.
Knowmore’s key role is to provide legal advice but it also employs experienced counsellors and social workers to provide short-term support and help people link with other agencies to assist them in the longer term.
Knowmore has developed a list of Specialist Counselling Services and Support Groups. Some organisations provide national support, while others are funded to operate within state and territory boundaries.
People can call the knowmore advice line on 1800 605 762 or visit the knowmore website at www.knowmore.org.au for further information about the service.
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