Royal
Commission
Commission
Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse
On 12 November 2012 the then Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, announced that she would recommend to the Governor-General that a Royal Commission be appointed to inquire into institutional responses to child abuse.
On 15 December 2017 the Royal Commission presented a final report to the Governor-General, detailing the culmination of a five-year inquiry into institutional responses to child sexual abuse and related matters.
AFA was deeply committed to the process and contributed significantly, including:
Responding to the Consultation Paper on Redress and Civil Litigation (March 2015)
Responding to the Salvation Army’s (Southern) appearance at Royal Commission public hearing (June 2016)
Responding to the Royal Commission’s Consultation paper on Records and Access (October 2016)
Responding to the Criminal Justice Consultation paper (November 2016)
Making a formal submission to the public hearing into nature, cause and impact of child sexual abuse in institutions (March 2017)
Final hearing of the Royal Commission
A number of AFA's members went to the Royal Commission's final hearing in Sydney on 14 December 2017, a day prior to the release of the reports. It was an emotional and significant day for Forgotten Australians and all survivors.
AFA congratulates the Commissioners and all their staff for their outstanding work and for enabling the voices of survivors to be heard with such sensitivity. AFA thanks the Australian Government for its support of the Royal Commission and for enabling the release of the reports without delay.