knowmore legal service is visiting Alice Springs this week to help people understand their options and answer their questions about telling their stories to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The knowmore team will be visiting Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Elliot, Hermannsburg, Yuendumu and Papunya.
The Alice Springs-bound knowmore team consists of an experienced lawyer, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural liaison officer and a trauma-informed social worker; and are likely to make return visits.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural liaison officer Chris Lee said “Our role at knowmore is to give people information and allow them to make their own decisions about when where and how to tell their story, if they are ready to.
“We are here to help people to get to the Royal Commission and navigate what can be an unfamiliar process,” Mr Lee said.
knowmore Executive Officer Jenny Hardy said that the knowmore team on the Alice roadshow would be visiting to assist people with their inquiries and concerns about their personal circumstances.
“We have helped over 3000 people so far, over the phone and in face to face sessions and community talks which the team have been conducting this week and last week in Alice Springs.
“knowmore has a strong commitment to the need for cultural respect and listening to the deeply personal stories of survivors.
“People who have experienced traumatising sexual abuse as a child while under the care of an institution, or those who witnessed something while working at an institution, can have legal concerns or questions about how engaging with the Royal Commission might affect them.
“knowmore is independent, and can advise people based on their individual circumstances. We have counsellors/social workers on hand, as well as male and female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural liaison officers for people to talk to if they wish,” Ms Hardy said.
Anyone in the area who wishes to make an appointment can call 1800 605 762 to arrange it.
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