The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse commenced private hearings in May in Sydney. The private hearings will be taking evidence from victims who have contacted the Commission who wish to share their experiences.
While the hearings will remain confidential unless the witness elects to make their testimony public, the Commission says that they are an opportunity to "deepen its understanding of the circumstances of abuse in institutions".
Meanwhile, the Commission has issued a number of Notices to Produce to select entities seeking documentation relating to historical complaints they have received. The Notices focus on specific geographical areas at present as the Commission waits for the current inquiries in Newcastle and Victoria to conclude.
Cardinal Pell's testimony at the Victorian Inquiry on 27 May 2013 prompted criticism for, amongst other things, capping payments to victims in keeping with government victim compensation schemes.
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