Simon Mumford
22 October 2025, 7:01 PM
Child sexual abuse is not an easy topic to write about, let alone for victims and survivors to admit and discuss. However, the numbers are a stark reminder of how widespread child sexual abuse is,
The 2021/22 Personal Safety Survey revealed that 1.1 million women (11%) and 343,500 men (3.6%) had experienced sexual abuse perpetrated by an adult before the age of 15. Of people who had experienced childhood sexual abuse, many women (69%) and men (52%) had experienced more than one incident (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2023).
This week commemorated the 7th anniversary of the apology to victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse by then Prime Minister Scott Morrison on behalf of the Australian government and the nation. In the Apology, he acknowledged the ‘pain, suffering and trauma inflicted upon victims and survivors as children, and for its profound and ongoing impact’.
This year, the Blue Knot Foundation is holding walks and gatherings in support of survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse. There will be one Lismore this Saturday, October 25, at the Lismore Workers Club at 10am.
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, "It is events such as these that are small yet crucial ways to be able to stand up and show support to survivors of childhood sexual abuse."
Casino resident, Robbie Gambly, has been a volunteer for Blue Knot Foundation since 1997, the year he first went to the Lismore Police Station to report his child sexual abuse (it was known as Adults Surviving Child Abuse back then).
(Robbie Gambly in the Politicians Members Bar in The Original Parliament House - Canberra in 2023. Photo: supplied)
Robbie was sexually abused by his science teacher at Bonalbo High School in the 1970s at the age of 15. The traumatic experience led to a life of drinking and drugs that "Almost destroyed me and cost me my life".
It wasn't until the mid-1990s that Robbie met a wonderful social worker called Stephanie, who changed his life.
"All I knew was that I had done a dirty, bad thing," Robbie told the Lismore App. "I lived like this for 24 dreadful, damaging years."
"My life was a mess, I didn't care if I lived or died until I told a most wonderful Social Worker, Stephanie."
In 2007, Robbie's perpetrator pleaded guilty and was sent to prison.
"I now volunteer for The Blue Knot Foundation & I am a MEMBER of The National Centre for Action Against Child Sexual Abuse's Survivor-led Adult College. A recommendation of The Royal Commission. I don't drink now!"
Robbie wants to help other survivors of child sexual abuse. He wants them to know it was NOT their fault.
"I want PRECIOUS CHILDREN to live their lives safely & happily, this is their innate right, this is why I speak out. There is support and help available to them."
Robbie will be at the Lismore Workers Club on Level 2 as part of the Blue Knot Foundation this Saturday at 10am, to meet other survivors, which will hopefully be the first conversation that leads to increased support.
"Just look for the Blue Ribbon," Robbie concluded.