He has survived and now he thrives

BY SAMANTHA ELLEY

When Robbie Gambley successfully managed to have his sexually abusive school teacher charged with assaulting him when he was a young boy, he knew the healing could begin.

And while the healing was taking place, he also knew he had to work to protect other children from going through what he had experienced.

After working for many years with Dr Kathy Kezelman AM, CEO of The Blue Knot Foundation, an organisation that works against child abuse, Robbie gave evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

“Early last January, Dr Kezelman sent me an email asking if I’d like to apply with The National Centre for a voluntary job,” said Robbie.

The National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse was formed as a direct recommendation from the final report of the Royal Commission, as a way of bringing together the organisations working to prevent child abuse including Blue Knot, The Healing Foundation for Indigenous People and the Australian Childhood Foundation.

“We have been working very hard to get the website up and running and it will be followed up with a social media campaign,” said Robbie.

“I’ve always pushed for a continuous social media campaign to help children know about their rights.

“If (the information) is online and on television all the time, children will get the message.”

The message the National Foundation wants to get across is very clear and it is for adults who have been sexually abused as much as it is for children.

“If you have suffered child sexual abuse, you haven’t got to worry about going to the police,” said Robbie.

“But please tell someone you trust and get help.

“Don’t suffer in silence.

“I’ve done that and it’s a dreadful way to live.

“We are working on one of the most evil and insidious crimes in the world.”

Robbie was only 14 years old when the grooming from his science teacher started.

“The sexual, physical and psychological abuse started when I had just turned 15,” he said.

“The perpetrator introduced me to alcohol and used to call me a ‘dumb country hick’.

“That nearly brought me undone.”

Considering the battle Robbie has endured, he said he is immensely proud of what he has achieved and now being a member of the National Centre and the work it is doing has given him purpose.

“I am honoured to be chosen to work to help our precious children,” he said.

“What I went through almost cost me my life.

“I drank heavily and used drugs.

“I thought I was a dirty, worthless human being.

“I didn’t care if I lived or died.

“I survived that and I worked very hard with the police and sent (the perpetrator) to prison.”

Robbie has a message for those who may be suffering from the after effects of childhood abuse.

“You can heal in time and you can get on with your life,” he said.

“It doesn’t have to define your life.

“I am happy in myself and I am happier now since I was a 14 year old before the abuse.”

To find out more of how the National Centre can help you, go to ncacsa.org.au