Russell Manser, a former bank robber who became an advocate for survivors of institutional sex abuse, has died.
His son, Ky Manser, posted a message of grief on Instagram.
“Words can’t explain the pain this has put me through” he wrote in a caption of a picture of himself and his father.
“I’ve just lost my best friend (and) father.”
Manser’s cause of death is not yet known.
Manser spent 23 years of his life in prisons in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Northern Territory and carried out a number of bank robberies in the 1980s and 1990s.
As documented on the website of his organisation The Voice Of A Survivor, Manser was first incarcerated in an adult prison at the age of 17, when he was committed to the notorious Long Bay jail.
Manser was sexually abused by the other inmates there, and also forcibly injected with heroin, ultimately leading to a dependency on the drug.
He finally spoke out about it during the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Since reforming, Manser became an outspoken advocate for abuse survivors, as well as a surprise social media star, with 138,000 followers on TikTok and a podcast, The Stick Up.
His videos often centred around the importance of speaking about mental health, especially in men, as well as his experience of life on the wrong side of the tracks.
Warriors Advocacy, a consultancy Manser created after he reformed, announced the death of their “beloved founder” on Facebook.
“Russell’s leadership, dedication, and guidance will be deeply missed,” director Leteisha wrote.
“Our thoughts are with everyone who has ever been involved with Russ, his light and passion towards helping survivors like himself will never be forgotten. A true story of redemption.
“Our condolences go out to Russell’s family. Rest in peace.”
