Sex abuse inquiry
A NEWLY launched commission will investigate state government institutions’ handling of child sex abuse – with emphasis on Ashley Youth Detention Centre, the health system, and Tasmanian government schools.
The independent commission will endeavour to reach survivors and people affected during the submissions period from now until July 2.
VICTIMS of child sex abuse have been encouraged to come forward to tell their stories as the Tasmanian Commission of Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse opens.
The commission will investigate all Tasmanian governmentrun institutions and their handling, prevention of and reporting of child sex abuse — with particular reference made to Ashley Youth Detention Centre, the health system including paedophile nurse James Griffin, and Tasmanian government schools.
Commission president Marcia Neave found through her experience on the Victorian Family Violence Royal Commission the best outcomes were achieved in collaboration with those most affected by the reforms.
“Of course people who are most closely impacted by the issues under review are victim survivors and those who love and care for children who’ve been affected, but we will also have to ensions, gage with those who have responsibility for preventing, reporting and responding to child abuse in the areas in which they work,” she said.
Commissioner and leading Australian child protection researcher Professor Leah Bromfield, who grew up in Tasmania, said the independent commission would endeavour to reach survivors during the submissions period from now until July 2.
“We have those powers and protections for a royal commission that if they come forward and tell their story, it will be safe with us,” she said.
“It’s for the commission to go to where people are, not for survivors to be the ones who have to come down south to us.”
Ms Neave said the commission would target Aboriginal communities, culturally and linguistically diverse cohorts, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people living remotely.
She said people or organisations could make online submisor contact the commission team for support to form a submission. Dates and locations for community consultations and confidential sessions to take survivor statements, will be announced soon.
Commissioner Robert Benjamin, who has worked in family law for 16 years and is a Tasmanian Family Court judge, said the three commissioners had extensive and diverse backgrounds.
“Children are at the centre of what we do, to the extent that normally when I’m writing a judgment I’ll Blu Tack a photograph of the children on my computer so I never forget how important they are,” he said.
“We can’t change the past but we can certainly learn from it.”
All commissioners hoped the report — due in August next year — would build on the Child Sexual Abuse Royal Commission to highlight current problems and examine ways to address systemic issues. For details visit commissionofinquiry.tas.gov.au