On Friday 11th January the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard and Ministers Nicola Roxon and Jenny Macklin held a joint press conference to announce the Terms of Reference for the national Royal Commission into child sexual abuse into institutions and organisations.
The Prime Minister and her government have taken a substantial step towards exposing the insidious nature of child sexual abuse and working to do something about it – past, present and future. They are to be congratulated not just for the announcement but for the consultative process they have undertaken to date.
ASCA welcomes this ground-breaking initiative and looks forward to working with Government and the Commission to help see justice done, children protected and survivors receive the care and support they need.
While this Commission focusses on child sexual abuse in institutional settings, it raises awareness about abuse in all its forms, perpetrated in all settings. While it does not specifically examine other forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation perpetrated in the absence of child sexual abuse, or child sexual abuse perpetrated outside of institutions e.g. in the home and family this inquiry shines a spotlight on the broader issue.
It heralds the first steps towards broad-based public recognition of the gravity of child abuse and its long-term impacts. As the inquiry tackles secrecy, silence and cover-ups and survivors of institutional child sexual assault come forward and are heard so their voices will help lay the way for other survivors to share their experiences and reach out for the help they need.
No inquiry can be all things to all people but this Royal Commission is a seminal step towards change for victims and survivors of childhood trauma. We welcome it and the other changes which will follow.
ASCA has created a section on its website dedicated to the Royal Commission and will update information as it comes to hand. Go to the ASCA home page on www.asca.org.au and click on Royal Commission. The Commission is currently taking shape and is not ready to take submissions as yet. It is anticipated that it will be ready to do so within a few months.
Should you need further information or support please call our 1300 professional support line on 1300 657 380. It is now staffed 9-5 Mon-Friday by trained counsellors, male and female.
T 02 8920 3611 | Support Line 1300 657 380
Help untangle the knot of child abuse www.asca.org.au
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