Response to final Royal Commission report

The NSW Government has established a taskforce to respond to the final report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which was submitted today to the Governor-General and tabled in the Australian Parliament.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the taskforce, comprising representatives from across the NSW Government, would carefully consider the report’s 409 recommendations.

“The Royal Commission heard evidence of shocking and appalling abuse perpetrated on children by the very people who were supposed to care for them,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We will work to ensure that this situation cannot happen again.

“Our thoughts and support remain with all those affected by this shocking and painful part of our history.

“The courage of the survivors who shared their heartbreaking accounts, and the dedication of the many people who worked on the commission, are to be applauded.”

Attorney General Mark Speakman said NSW had introduced legislation to make it easier for survivors to access civil justice and would continue to consider what else could be done to provide justice to victims in future.

“NSW will continue to engage cooperatively with the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions with a view to developing a meaningful and practical national scheme for redress as soon as possible. Our primary objective remains ensuring appropriate recognition of the ongoing hurt experienced by survivors,” Mr Speakman said.

Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward said NSW has made significant improvements to child protection since the Royal Commission began in 2013, including reforms to out-of-home care and improved Government responses to the needs of survivors.

“The legacy of these brave survivors has been a national reckoning with the injustices of the past and a deep commitment to healing and to protecting the most vulnerable in our community from the horrors of abuse,” Ms Goward said.

Support is available through Lifeline 13 11 14, Domestic Violence Line 1800 656 463 and the Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491.