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ACTION
ON INSTITUTIONAL CHILD ABUSE OVERDUE
A
Senate Inquiry into the abuse of children when cared for in
institutions and out of their homes has found evidence of widespread
emotional, physical and sexual abuse, says Inquiry Chair, Senator Jan
McLucas.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Trevarthen, Cora
(Sen J.
McLucas)
[email protected]
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
August
30, 2004
"The Committee heard graphic stories of neglect,
deprivation of food, education and health care, as well as more
disturbing accounts of physical and sexual assault.
"These
problems cross the entire spectrum of institutional care, whether
administered by the State, religious bodies or other charitable
groups.
"The legacy of a general lack of love and
affection has blighted the lives of many who experienced
institutional care, and this sad legacy of depression, guilt, fear
and distrust, anger and shame is a blight on this society's care for
its most defenceless members: our children.
"The
magnitude and widespread occurrence of abuse provides evidence of the
need for a fundamental reappraisal by such institutions of their
responsibility for this parlous history.
The Committee
received an unprecedented 614 submissions, many of which are
confidential. Given the breadth of the issues that have been raised,
this Report is the first of two which will be tabled. This report,
"Forgotten Australians" focuses on the experience of
children who were placed in care from the 1920's until the 1970's
when changes to placement policy occurred.
Senators have
adopted a comprehensive set of 39 recommendations aimed at addressing
these problems and enabling the healing process to begin for many
victims.
These include
* That a formal statement
apologising for and acknowledging the hurt and distress caused to
those who suffered in institutional care be issued by the
Commonwealth Government, as well as by those State, Church and
welfare agencies who have not already done so,
* That the
States consider amending legislation to abolish any statutory
restrictions on the timing of legal proceedings by survivors of
sexual or physical abuse, in the light of the SA experience.
*
That the Commonwealth Government establish a national reparations
fund for victims of institutional abuse, funded by contributions from
Commonwealth and state governments, churches and relevant welfare
agencies,
* That new protection and complaints handling
measures be put in place, backed up by an external complaints review
process, such as an independent ombudsman.
"These are
wide ranging and necessary reforms," said Senator McLucas.
"The
full cooperation of all agencies and institutions is of fundamental
importance to facilitate the overdue healing process."
It
is the majority view of the Committee that if these agencies do not
cooperate openly with authorities then the option of a Royal
Commission should be considered.
"As beneficial as this
Committee's processes have been to care leavers, the fact remains
that many providers have been less than open, to the point of
concealment of information that a Royal Commission may be the only
way that criminal acts are brought to light," Senator McLucas
concluded.
Members of the media are encouraged, wherever
possible, to cite relevant contact numbers of support and counselling
services which are provided overleaf for your
convenience.
/Ends
Canberra 30/08/2004
Media
inquiries: Cora Trevarthen 0418-770 484.
A copy of the
Forgotten Australians report can be accessed
at
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca
CONTACT NUMBERS FOR SUPPORT SERVICES FOLLOWING TABLING
OF REPORT
The following is a list of contact numbers for
support and counselling services that can assist care leavers who may
wish to talk to someone following the tabling of the Committee's
report.
New South Wales and National
CLAN (02) 9709
4520
1800 008 774 (from Victoria only)
RELATIONSHIPS
AUSTRALIA:
Adolescent Family Therapy and Mediation Service (RAPS)
1800 654 684
Aftercare Resource Centre (ARC) 1800 656
884
Victoria
VANISH 1800 334 043
03 9348
2111
Queensland
Historical Abuse Network (HAN)
07-3844 0966
(The Esther Centre)
Aftercare Resource Centre
(ARC) 1800 501 560
07 3255 2848
Western
Australia
CBERSS 1800 621 805
08 9381 5422
Tasmania
Ombudsman
1800 001 170
[ South Australia
A.S.C.A
(Advocates For Survivors
of Child Abuse)
Goodwood
08 84116255 ]
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[ Date of first publication on this Website: 30 August 2004 ]