Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

What is a Royal Commission?

A Royal Commission is a special type of investigation into a particular issue. It is independent from government and has certain features, including:

• a Commissioner or number of Commissioners appointed to run the investigation
  
• specific terms of reference that set out what the investigation covers
  
• a set period of time for the investigation, usually this can be extended
  
• public invitations to make written statements or give evidence in person about the issues
  
• public hearings
• broad powers requiring witnesses to attend hearings or to legally provide relevant documents
  
• releasing the findings of the investigation in a report, alongside recommendations for improvements.

At a Federal level, a Royal Commission has powers under the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth). Different laws apply at a State level. In NSW, a Royal Commission has powers under the Royal Commissions Act 1923 (NSW).

What did this Royal Commission investigate?

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse investigated how certain institutions like schools, churches, sports clubs and government organisations have responded to allegations and instances of child sexual abuse and related matters.

Who were the Commissioners?

Six Commissioners were appointed for the Royal Commission. They are:

• The Hon. Justice Peter McClellan AM
• The Hon. Justice Jennifer Coate
• Commissioner Bob Atkinson AO APM
• Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM
• Commissioner Helen Milroy
• Commissioner Andrew Murray.

To assist the Commissioners, Ms Gail Furness SC was appointed as Senior Counsel Acting.

For more information, see Commissioners on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse website.

Who could provide a statement?

The Royal Commission gathered statements from a range of people including:

• victims of child sexual abuse in an institutional setting
• witnesses of child sexual abuse in an institutional setting
• workers or other professionals who have information about how particular institutions have dealt with allegations of child sexual abuse
  
• professionals such as counsellors, psychologists, or police who may have relevant information.

Where can I get information on the Royal Commission's findings?

The Royal Commission held 57 formal public hearings. After each public hearing, the Royal Commission published a case study report on their findings and recommendations. You can find these Case studies on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse website.

What were the recommendations of the Royal Commission?

The Royal Commission has made recommendations to better protect children against sexual abuse and reduce the impact of abuse on children when it occurs.

You can find the Final Report Recommendations on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse website.

What support services can help me?

If you are a victim of sexual abuse, or you have a friend or relative affected by sexual abuse, you can contact a number of services for support, including:

• Knowmore - a free, independent legal service that provides advice to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse about justice and redress (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
• Full Stop Australia - a telephone, online and face-to-face counselling services for people impacted by sexual assault (24 hours seven days a week)
• local NSW Health Sexual Assault Services
• Victims Access Line - help to access free counselling, financial assistance, information and referral support - see Victims Services on the Victims Services website (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
• Lifeline - a telephone, text and online chat crisis support service also providing referrals to face to face services (24 hours seven days a week)
• 1800 Respect - a confidential information, counselling and support service (24 hours seven days a week)
• MensLine Australia - a telephone and online counselling service for men (24 hours seven days a week).

For a list of more support services, see Contact & support on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse website.

What is the National Redress Scheme?

The National Redress Scheme (scheme) is a result of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. It aims to provide critical support to those who were sexually abused as children while in the care of institutions. It will offer access to psychological counselling, a direct personal response from the institution where the abuse occurred and a monetary payment. 

The scheme commenced on 1 July 2018 and will run until 30 June 2027.

For more information, see National Redress Scheme on the My problem is about section of our website.

The scheme is separate to the Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme.

For more information, see Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander on the My problem is about section of our website.