THE HON MARK DREYFUS KC MP
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
CABINET SECRETARY
THE HON AMANDA RISHWORTH MP
MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
MEDIA RELEASE
Progress report on implementation of Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommendations
The Albanese Government has today released the fifth annual progress report outlining implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The report shows that all 206 Commonwealth-related recommendations from the Royal Commission are now implemented or in progress.
The Gillard Government established the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2013.
During its five-year investigation, the Royal Commission received 42,000 calls, 26,000 letters and emails and held more than 8,000 private sessions.
People revealed the immeasurable and lasting damage inflicted on them by those who were trusted to care for them.
The Albanese Government recognises the courage of victims and survivors in sharing their stories of abuse and is committed to providing the national leadership that will be critical to delivering on the recommendations of the Royal Commission.
Recommendations implemented in 2022 include:
- The commencement of the Online Safety Act 2021, which gives the eSafety Commissioner new and stronger powers to remove and stop people from accessing online child exploitation material, regardless where the material is hosted;
- The first national Safety of Children in Care report, which provides baseline data for ongoing monitoring and reporting. The data will be provided on an ongoing basis;
- The establishment of the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse;
- Increased access to the National Redress Scheme; and
- Eighty-five national sporting organisations on track to adopt the National Integrity Framework by 31 December 2022, to provide a safe environment at all levels of sport.
In-progress recommendations include work towards an offender prevention program, a national awareness raising campaign, enhancing national approaches to children who have displayed harmful sexual behaviours, and improving national arrangements for sharing child safety and wellbeing information.
Today’s report is a milestone as it is the last annual progress update until a 10-year review of the implementation in 2027.
By working on these recommendations we will to continue to advance safeguards that protect and support children so they are raised in safety with their wellbeing and potential realised.
Read the progress report at childabuseroyalcommissionresponse.gov.au
If you or anyone you know need support, there is 24-hour assistance available.
- Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline - 13 11 14
- MensLine Australia - 1300 789 978
- the National Redress Information Line - 1800 737 377
- Qlife - 1800 184 527
- 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732.
- Survivors and Mates Support Network – 1800 472 676
Wednesday, 14 December 2022
BACKGROUND
The Australian Government has responded to the 84 recommendations made by the Royal Commission about redress by establishing the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (National Redress Scheme).
Work has commenced on implementing around 50 recommendations directed at the states and territories.
The National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030 was launched in October 2021 and responds to approximately 100 recommendations.
As in previous years, state and territory governments and non-government organisations will produce their own annual reports outlining their progress on implementation of the recommendations which apply to them.
These will be available at www.childabuseroyalcommissionresponse.gov.au
