UnitingCare is fully committed to applying the lessons resulting from the work of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse commenced in January 2013 and delivered its Final Report on 15 December 2017. In total, across the course of the Royal Commission, 409 recommendations were made. Commissioners travelled to every state and territory to hold 57 public hearings and 8,013 private sessions, and also read 1,344 personal written accounts.
UnitingCare recognises the significance of the Royal Commission in providing an opportunity for acknowledgement and healing for many survivors of child sexual abuse and the substantial contribution of the Royal Commission to improved systems and processes for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse. Processes and responses will continue to develop as institutions and governments respond to the Royal Commission’s Final Report.
UnitingCare is a child safe, child friendly organisation. Our leaders are committed to ensuring our processes and responses continue to improve and develop in line with best practice in the emerging field of institutional child safety. The safety of children will continue to be our highest priority.
The Uniting Church in Australia is committed to supporting a truly national, equitable and just redress scheme and announced on 4 June 2018 that it will participate in the National Redress Scheme. The Queensland Government has also announced its commitment to join the National Redress Scheme. This means that survivors of child sexual abuse in Queensland will have access to the National Redress Scheme once the necessary legislative provisions are in place.
UnitingCare and the Uniting Church encourage survivors of sexual abuse as a child while in the care of, or receiving services from, UnitingCare or organisations which no longer exist but were community service organisations of the Uniting Church or its predecessors, to seek assistance. Information is provided by the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod at this link.
If you, or someone you know, need assistance or support, please do not hesitate to contact the organisations recommended by the Royal Commission at this link.