Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
In 2020, a Commission of Inquiry was announced to investigate the responses of Tasmanian Government Agencies in relation to the management of allegations of child sexual abuse.
The Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings (the Commission) completed an investigation and handed its Report to the Governor of Tasmania, on 31 August 2023.
The Premier tabled the final report of the Commission in Parliament on 26 September 2023. The report is publicly available from the Commission’s website. More information is also available at Keeping Children Safe.
Recommendations
The Tasmanian Government has accepted all 191 COI recommendations. The Department of Health is the lead agency for implementing 24 of the COI recommendations, and continues to implement the 92 recommendations from the Child Safe Governance Review of the LGH and HR, as well as the8 recommendations of the LGH Community Recovery Initiative.
COI recommendations have specified implementation timeframes for delivery:
- Short-term (by 1 July 2024)
- Medium-term (by 1 July 2026)
- Long-term (by July 2029)
13 of the Department’s 24 recommendations have a short term delivery timeframe by 1 July 2024 and are on track as it stands.
View the implementation status for all Department of Health child safety related recommendations.
If you think you may need support, please reach out and visit the Keeping Children Safe website.
Everyone has the right to feel safe in our care.
It is always ok to speak up and we are listening.
Actions taken so far
Evidence provided at the Commission of Inquiry prompted the Department to immediately undertake a Child Safe Governance Review. The review looked at the Launceston General Hospital and Human Resources with learnings to be applied across the entire Department of Health.
Further Child Safeguarding Measures
The Department of Health also has other child safeguarding initiatives underway.
CSW Framework (link to Child Safety and Wellbeing website)
The Department of Health’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy Framework outlines the Department’s approach to implementing the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Implementation is supported by a Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy which articulates the Department’s commitment and obligations to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation and explains key features of the Department’s approach to meeting the National Principles.
CSW Service
The Child Safety and Wellbeing Service (CSWS) was established in late 2022 to lead the Department’s implementation of the Child Safety and Wellbeing Framework. Focus areas include:
- supporting the Department’s monitoring and response to child safeguarding issues
- supporting work areas to foster a child safe organisation culture by providing DoH workers with education and training in child safeguarding (this includes employees, students, volunteers and contractors)
- providing advice to work areas to strengthen policies and protocols around child safeguarding
- engaging with Tasmania’s children and young people.
CYPAG
One of those is the establishment of a new Children and Young People Advisory Group (CYPAG) in 2023. The CYPAG is a way for young Tasmanians to inform the Department about how it can improve its services to children and young people. Efforts are made to ensure CYPAG membership is a mixture of age and gender and represents a range of backgrounds and is seen as an opportunity for members to improve and build on their skill set.
One Health Culture
A key priority is to continue implementing recommendations from the Review about human resources. This includes delivering a new HR service delivery model. The new model will work more closely with important stakeholders, ensure improved record-keeping, staff capabilities and reporting requirements.
Another important new role, the Chief Risk Officer, has been established to oversee risk management across the Department of Health. Risk management includes Work Health and Safety, Internal Audit and Emergency Preparedness and Response. The Chief Risk Officer has executive responsibility for coordinating reporting, monitoring of the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.
Support
We are committed to being sensitive as we use the learnings from past wrongs to protect the rights of current and future generations of children and young people and keep them safe from harm.
For more information about the Commission of Inquiry please visit the Keeping Children Safe dedicated webpage, call 1800 093 758 between 9 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday or email [email protected].
You may also wish to consider available support services, including:
- Sexual Assault Support Service Inc. - 1800 697 877
- Lifeline - 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636
- 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732
- Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
- MensLine Australia - 1300 789 978
There are also a range of Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing supports and resources available at Health and Wellbeing Supports.