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Voice
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Survivor Russell Manser
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Russell Manser’s story is an inspiring one of truly turning your life around, and USING YOUR DARKEST MOMENTS TO RISE UP AND HELP OTHERS DO THE SAME. AFTER BEING VICTIM TO ABUSE HIMSELF, HE HAS SET UP A COMPANY TO GIVE OTHER VICTIMS A VOICE OF THEIR OWN and guide them through the healing process and the legal process to give them justice.
ey Russell. Could you introduce yourself to our readers? My name is Russell Manser. I fell in love with the beaches and settled in beautiful Coffs Harbour with my two boys almost two years ago. I fell in love with a Coffs Harbour local, and we now together have a family of five. Here in Coffs Harbour I have established a company helping survivors of sexual, physical and mental abuse within institutions across Australia. I myself am a survivor of sexual abuse within institutions and formed the company “The Voice Of A Survivor”, to help others whom have also been through the trauma of abuse. The company has been established to liaise and guide victims of institutional abuse through the legal process to seek compensation and apologies, in order to be able to move on with their lives as best they can. Your story doesn’t start out with such happy beginnings; where did it all start? Ha ha no, definitely not. I had a normal childhood (as normal as it can be growing up in Mt Druitt, Sydney). At the age of 14, I began to get in some trouble and ended up in a boys’ home at the notorious Darack and Penang boys’ homes. After my release from the boys’ home, I was caught for stealing a car (my first real offence) and I was placed into Long Bay Gaol at only 20 Coffs Coast focus
16 years old. I was abused again whilst I was a just boy in a jail amongst some of Australia’s most notorious criminals and pedophiles. I’m not proud of my life and where it went from there; it was full of ups and downs, drug use and robbing banks, and I have spent a total of 23 years behind bars. What do you feel was the turning point in your story? The turning point for me was the Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse cases. This was the first time I was able to tell my story to people who would listen. I “found my voice”. After telling my story, I started studying law while in gaol, in order to help the thousands of others in my position. People now come to me, as they know I have been in their shoes and have a unique understanding for what they have endured and overcome. What would be the first step for other people in a situation of assault who are ready to turn things around? The company specialises in Royal Commission into institutional responses to sexual abuse cases. This includes churches, foster homes, schools, boys’ homes, sporting groups, and many more. We are also helping victims of the Stolen Generation. Voice Of A Survivor is approached by the clients, who make contact via our phone, website, social media and predominantly word
of mouth referrals. Once the company has for themselves. We’ve had an enormous influx made contact with the client, we begin to of enquiries for assistance throughout all areas create their path to success and link them to of Australia. We are currently working with six the relevant law firm for their case. Voice Of A major law firms throughout Queensland, New Survivor remains involved throughout the legal South Wales and Victoria, providing assistance process, and assists the firms by fulfilling the for our current database of over 650+ clients. interview process; out What is the most of the interviews the rewarding part of what company compiles the you do? statement of facts and Often victims carry a victim statements for backpack of guilt, shame, Often victims carry a backpack the nominated solicitor. anger, and confusion. of guilt, shame, anger, and What are some of Going through the legal confusion. Going through the most challenging process allows them to the legal process allows hurdles when you hand that backpack back them to hand that are trying to help to the perpetrators and backpack back to the someone who has in turn, often live a more perpetrators and in turn, been assaulted? fulfilled life. often live a more fulfilled life. The most challenging What advice would part for most is having you give any readers to revisit the trauma; who are considering however, this can also reaching out for help? be the pivotal moment for victims to have relief A perpetrator’s greatest gift is a victim’s also. We have men who have been abused 30 silence; we help people find their voice to years ago and have never even told a soul. bring them to justice. We have a team of You now have a team on board helping professional, understanding, compassionate you reach out; can you tell us about them people (many of whom are victims of abuse and how they assist you? themselves) to help guide you smoothly We have a team of eight staff travelling all through the process. You can start with as over the country, cities and rural areas alike, little as a phone call. If you carry the backpack, to visit the towns and speak to those affected hand it back. face to face and help connect them to the Russell Manser, opportunities available to create a better future The Voice Of A Survivor.