"Many of the stories we are hearing will shock people," says Justice Peter McClellan, who is overseeing the team of six commissioners of the Royal Commission.
Justice McClellan says those documenting the allegations of systemic institutional abuse have found it harrowing.
"I didn't adequately appreciate, the devestating and long lasting affects which sexual abuse, however inflicted can have on an individuals life."
The first institution examined was Scouts New South Wales... and the activities of former scout leader and convicted pedophile Steven Larkins ... who is now in jail.
The commission heard that Larkins sexually assaulted two boys.
One, aged 12 at the time, was raped at Larkins' parents house during a sleepover
"I felt belittled, dirty and confused about everything that had happened, about the incident," one witness told the Royal Comission.
Another Scout leader, Armand Hoitink told the commission that he contacted police when Larkins was spotted giving lollies to children outside a swimming pool.
He says the Scouts told him Larkins would be given a formal warning and removed from face to face contact with children.
But after he saw Larkins a year later at Sea World in charge of a group of Scouts, he resigned in protest.
The commission also heard rumors surrounding SL that he had climbed into a sleeping bag of a boy to keep him warm and had been seen semi naked with other scouts.
Mr Hoitink was applauded by other victims of abuse as he left the commission.
But for some sitting in the public gallery, it brought back painful memories.
"I'm actually looking in at myself... I was in a bathtub and someone was touching me...leave my bummy alone," said another witness who spoke at today's public hearing.
"I supressed this memory for so long and it's all coming back and it's so horrible."
SBS reporter Christine Heard reports live on day one of the hearings via Twitter:
INDIGENOUS INSTITUTION AMONG THE FIRST TO BE EXAMINED
Meanwhile, an Indigenous liason worker providing free legal assistance for those giving evidence to the Royal Commission says it's sad that an Aboriginal institution is among the first to be looked at in the inquiry.
Glendra Stubbs at the legal aid group knowmore says the spotlight on the Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services shows the Aboriginal community is committed to ensuring this type of abuse does not happen again.
Ms Stubbs told NITV she hopes the inquiry will help more Aboriginal people who've been victims of abuse to have their stories heard.
"For a lot of people, hopefully, it will bring closure, I think that's what everybody wants and also what people want is that this won't happen again. That when people make reports to institutions that there will be proper process and that they will be heard and honoured in the report that they make and that better outcomes will happen."
Watch: NITV's coverage of the Royal Commission, by clicking on the video tab above and selecting the second video.
