— “The Church stands ready and willing to assist…” —Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Catholic Church’s newly-formed Truth, Justice and Healing Council

The Royal Commission into child sexual abuse within institutional settings has been given its terms of reference by the Prime Minister this afternoon, after approval from the Governor-General.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard acknowledged the task of bringing to light cases and practices of child sexual abuse both historical and current was a “big task”, and outlined the framework for the commission for the next three years at least.

The commission will focus solely on child sexual abuse and related matters within institutions. Sitting outside the commission’s bounds is child sexual abuse within the family and child abuse not associated with child sexual abuse.

Six Commissioners have been appointed for a three year term, led by Chief Commissioner Justice Peter McClellan, a New South Wales Supreme Court Judge.

Joining him will be former Queensland police commissioner Bob Atkinson, former county court judge and magistrate Jennifer Coate, Robert Fitzgerald, who was a commissioner on Australia’s Productivity Commission, Professor Helen Milroy, a consultant psychiatrist with “extensive experience” in child and adolescent health and former Western Australian senator Andrew Murray, who was involved in the senate inquiries into children’s experiences in institutional care.

Attorney General Nicola Roxon says the six commissioners will have “far reaching powers” to override confidentiality agreements regarding settlements or to issue immunity from prosecution, though it will be in their discretion to use such powers.

Legislation would be introduced to Parliament when it resumes in February to allow the commissioners to hear evidence separately, as instead of all commissioners needing to be present. Given the amount of evidence expected during the commission, such measures, says Roxon, would allow the commission to ensure all evidence is heard in a timely manner.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has released a statement welcoming the appointment of the commissioners and reiterating the Catholic Church’s commitment to “fully cooperate and engage with the Royal Commission and its deliberations.”

“At its heart, the Royal Commission needs to let the full truth come out and ensure that the dignity of those who have been damaged by these atrocities is preserved, that they are supported, and not subject to a retraumatising of their experiences,” says Francis Sullivan, who along with former Chief Judge of the NSW Supreme Court, Barry O’Keefe AM QC is leading the ‘Truth, Justice and Healing Council’, the Catholic Church’s national coordinating body overseeing engagement with the royal commission.

Sullivan was former secretary-general of Australian Medical Association and currently Adjunct Professor at Australian Catholic University.

“It is essential that the Commission’s process contribute to the healing of the victims, and that institutions develop best-practice processes to address child sexual abuse. The Church stands ready and willing assist,” he said.

“Apart from participating fully in the Royal Commission, the Church will embark on its own processes of atonement and healing to bring light, hope and compassion to this very dark episode.”

The commissioners are expected to meet for the first time next week, with an interim report expected by mid next year.

Ireland’s landmark Ryan Commission which investigated child sexual abuse inside Catholic-run organisations in Ireland ran for nine years. The Terms of Reference for the new Australian Royal Commission set an end date of 31^st December 2015. Julia Gillard, however, indicated the “end date can be extended if necessary.”