The Salvation Army has been listed alongside the Catholic Church as one of three institutions which have already been served notice to produce documents for Australia’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Today marked the first sitting day of the Commission which was announced in November last year. No evidence was heard, no victims or institutions given the opportunity to present during today’s proceedings. Rather, it was an opportunity for Chief Commissioner Justice Peter McClellan and his assisting counsel, Gail Furness to give an update on its work so far.

The public heard many more institutions will be contacted in coming weeks, and individuals and support groups are being encouraged to come forward with their stories.

The inquiry relates specifically to child sexual abuse within institutions, including orphanages, schools, churches, dioceses, sporting groups, recreational groups, childcare centres, child protection agencies, detention centres, the defence force and juvenile justice centres.

Justice McClellan said since the terms of reference were set down in February the Commission had received 1200 unsolicited calls from the public. The inquiry has now established an official hotline manned by trained personnel to receive calls from people wishing to share their experience. The phone number which victims can call is 1800 099 340.

Victims can also write to the Commission via letter or written statement, or request a public or private session to tell of their experiences. Private sessions will be held in hotel board rooms around the country, but information gleaned won’t be considered evidence unless the individual wants to make a more public submission.

The Chief Commissioner says he’s expecting more than 5,000 people to want to share their experiences as part of the proceedings, with “the leaders of some of the groups representing survivors of the abuse estimating it could in fact be much higher.” He said the process could take many years – longer than the time frame the Government has given the Commission.

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 earlier this year the “end date can be extended if necessary”.

Justice McClellan said it would also be an expensive process, with an initial outlay of $22 million already committed just to set up the necessary personnel, technological and logistical infrastructure to enable the inquiry to take place. But he said it would be worthwhile.

“The bearing of witness informs the public consciousness and prepares the community to take steps to prevent similar abuses occurring in the future,” he said. “It allows the person to be heard, understood and have his or her experiences recorded.”

Victims who have previously signed confidentiality agreements with the Catholic Church in exchange for compensation have been assured the Inquiry has the power to overturn those agreements in order for the evidence to be heard. The Catholic Church’s new Truth, Justice and Healing Council has said it will co-operate with the inquiry to enable the investigations to take place.