Growing up in Western Sydney Russell Manser was committed by the Children's Court Magistrate to the adult Long Bay Jail, despite having just turned 17 years old. A career criminal stealing cars by the age of 14, and a notorious Sydney bank robber throughout the 90's. Russell robbed 5 banks, including a $90,000 hit on Lane Cove's Commonwealth Bank Sydney. At this time he would have been able to purchase a home in Mount Druitt for $25,000. However, it all came crashing down at the age of 23, where he was handed a 15 year jail sentence.
Throughout his time in prison Manser housed with some of the state's worst sex offenders, resulting in him being sexually abused repeatedly. His eventual heroin dependence also started there, after his abusers injected him several times with the drug.
Prior to this, Russell had already been struggling to cope with the trauma and anger of having been sexually abused in Daruk, the notorious juvenile detention centre.
Realising the healing impact of speaking up about the abuse, he found the courage to talk about his experiences with other prisoners, many of whom had experienced similar abuses.
Russell encouraged and supported others to tell their stories, and to seek justice; and after being released from jail, he continued this work, which was the beginning of The Voice of a Survivor.
'The Voice' helped over 6,500 people tell their stories and begin the process for justice and healing.
He completed rehabilitation, gained admission to university, and now shares his experiences on podcasts, radio, and in other media interviews.
He is also involved in the Australian boxing community at a local and national level, through coaching and sponsorship.
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Hayden Kelly, ESSAM, AES, AEP, MHPS
Host of the NORMLESS podcast
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Website: www.haydenkelly.com.au
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