Tomorrow marks the third anniversary of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Apology for Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, commemorating the childhoods that were stolen and renewing the Government’s commitment and responsibility to protecting Australia’s children.
In honour, the Morrison Government announced that the Blue Knot Foundation, along with its key consortium partners the Australian Childhood Foundation and The Healing Foundation, would establish and deliver the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Centre for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on this day three years ago we confronted our failure to listen, to believe, and to provide justice.
“We must continue to make sure that victims and survivors remain at the forefront of our minds and deep in our hearts, while ensuring the words we speak spur action,” the Prime Minister said.
“The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Centre will be an online central point of information that will help build capability of the sector to better support survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and ensure the wrongs of the past never happen again.
“The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Centre will shine a national lens on preventing child sexual abuse, improve outcomes for survivors, and increase awareness and understanding of the impacts of abuse.”
Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the Blue Knot Foundation had a wealth of experience raising awareness and reducing stigma related to child sexual abuse.
“Although we cannot take away the pain and suffering that many Australians have experienced, delivering the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Centre is one critical step to alleviate further traumatisation of those living with the legacy of past child sexual abuse,” Minister Ruston said.
“The Blue Knot Foundation will draw on the expertise of businesses, the sector, and the invaluable knowledge of victims and survivors to inform improved primary prevention, secondary support and tertiary intervention.”
In response to a recommendation from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse the Morrison Government committed $22.5 million for the establishment and operation costs of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Centre over five years.
The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Centre is expected to be established by the end of 2021.
