Lana is a survivor of institutional child sexual abuse. 

She applied for redress through the National Redress Scheme with the help of a Redress Support Service. 

My name is Lana, and I am a Forgotten Australian, and I was brought up in three different institutions from zero to 12, and that's a hell of a lot for a child and I came out like as if I was only a three-year-old kid. 

Didn't know anything about life, knew nothing about how to live, how to behave. 

If we just say, "I'll let her go, don't worry about it," well, that's not going to help, is it? 

The Redress gave me the opportunity to express myself and needs by truth telling. 

To me, it is a chance to be believed and heard and have a voice. 

I needed help because I wasn't very good with words, meanings of words, I get it all wrong because I didn't learn a lot at school. 

I'm a grade three-er. 

I didn't know how to do it in writing either and how to explain. 

For me, it was a lot of "How do I say it? How do I tell it? Which way will I go?" 

I've got a lot of support. 

Nicole was fantastic. 

Now, that's a good lady that people need people like her to guide people through this, and because she's very patient, she understands. 

I thought, well, I'll give it a go, but I was really, really emotional about it because I was a bit scared, a bit afraid to open my mouth. 

When Nicole came and spoke with me about all that and said, "Lana, don't worry, it will be all right. 

We will get you an apology. 

We'll go and see, have a meeting and we'll do everything what we can." 

I got the apology. 

I got actually one for my twin sister that died in my home. 

It's very beautiful and one for myself, for me, for my suffering too. 

So yes, I'm very happy with all that. 

The Redress helped me a lot in everything, I guess. 

From one Forgotten Australian to another, please try and give it a go. 

The people are very nice. 

Trust me, I know and I swear to you that you'd be very happy if you did. 

Give it a go 'cause Lana says so. 

To find out more or connect with Redress Support Services, call 1800 737 377 Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm or visit nationalredress.gov.au.