NOTE: This story contains content that people may find distressing

Since the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was established by the Government in 2013, Australia has had a long, hard and often traumatic public conversation about child abuse.

Despite the painful stories of lives wrecked by systematic child abuse, and the failure of those adults in positions power to stop it, many advocates are grateful the issues are at least on the table.

As a community, it's made us pay far greater attention to sexual abuse that occurs not only in institutions, but in private homes too.

But there's one kind of child abuse that is barely acknowledged. It's the story of mothers who sexually abuse their sons.

If you need support, call Mensline 24/7 on 1300 78 99 78 or visit www.mensline.org.au.

You can also call Lifeline on 131114 or chat online at www.lifeline.org.au.

For a detailed listing of support services for victims child sex abuse, see The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse's website.

You can listen to the program at the Life Matters website at www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/women-who-abuse/8589608.