To all survivors of child abuse who shared their personal experiences through the Commission of Inquiry, and to all those who spoke out on behalf of others to ensure their voices were heard, we thank you for your strength and courage.
Our state is deeply indebted to you for your bravery in coming forward, in speaking to the Commission in the hope that the abuse and injustice you have suffered never happens again.
Government Response to the Commission of Inquiry Report
The Tasmanian Government is taking strong action to keep Tasmanian children and young people safe.
The Tasmanian Government's Keeping Children Safe and Rebuilding Trust (PDF 6.6MB) Response to the Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Responses to Child and Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings accepts all 191 recommendations made by the Commission.
It summarises the Government's planned implementation of individual recommendations, phased according to the timeframes provided by the Commission in their Report. An emphasis is placed on the first phase recommendations, due by 1 July 2024.
Establishment of Child Sexual Abuse Victim-Survivor Advisory Group
The Advisory Group has been established to provide an opportunity for victim-survivors of child sexual abuse to advise the Government on Tasmania’s approach to preventing and responding to child sexual abuse.
It will be a way for victim-survivors to inform and shape the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, including developing and putting in place the Child Sexual Abuse Reform Strategy and its associated Action Plan.
More information about the role and functions of the Advisory Group, including an expression of interest form is on the Child Sexual Abuse Victim-Survivor Advisory Group page.
Expressions of Interest have now closed, however if you would like more information about this group or would like to be involved in future advisory activities, please email KeepingChildrenSafe@dpac.tas.gov.au or call 1800 093 758.
Commission of Inquiry
On 15 March 2021, a Commission of Inquiry was established to examine allegations and incidents of child sexual abuse in Tasmanian Government institutions. The Commission's Final Report was tabled in Parliament on 26 September 2023, and is available through the Commission's website.
Please be aware that the content in the Report includes descriptions of child sexual abuse and may be distressing or raise issues of concern for some readers.
We encourage readers to exercise self-care in their engagement with this content and to seek support and care if required.
Support
Support is available by phone and/or face-to-face to anyone who needs it.
For information about accessing support services, visit the Support page or read the Support Services Fact Sheet (PDF 27.1KB).