It takes an average of 22 years for survivors of child abuse to come forward and many Australians who have been abused still haven’t spoken out, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse says. I bet if you removed those people who reported in the first year from the sample, that you would find the number to be much higher than 22 years.
In its interim report, released on Monday, the commission said on average female victims were nine years old and male victims 10 years old when the abuse started and that it takes men longer than women to disclose their abuse.
The commission, which began its inquiry into institutional abuse on 13 January 2013, said its analysis also showed 90 per cent of sex abusers are men.
'We understand that although many people have come forward to the Royal Commission, it is likely that they represent only a minority of those abused,’ the commission said.
'Many others are yet to disclose their abuse or, for various reasons, feel unable to come forward at this time.’
On Monday, the commission which has already been running for 18 months, urged the federal government to give it more time and money to finish its job or risk squandering the opportunity and insulting the victims.
The commission said it needs another $104 million and an extra two years to do its job and reach more vulnerable groups.
Truth Justice and Healing Council chief executive Francis Sullivan says the inquiry into institutional responses to child sex abuse must be given the time and resources it wants.
'To not finish the job properly and completely would be an insult to all the victims of abuse and one of the greatest lost opportunities of our generation,’ he said in a statement.
'This is a once in a lifetime chance for the community to fully understand the devastation of child sexual abuse, its historic pervasion into so many different institutions and steps needed to ensure past tragedies are never revisited.’
Personally, I would really like to see this commission complete it's work, but then, I'm not paying for it, nor am I paying for searching the Indian Ocean for a plane wreck. But I appreciate your priorities, Australia. God bless you.
HOW INSTITUTIONS HAVE REACTED TO THE ROYAL COMMISSION
YMCA
Has promised to obtain software to centralise its recruitment, pre-employment screening and testing of policy knowledge and employee performance management
Engage an independent party to review its organisational culture
Review its policies to simplify and clarify them for staff
Review its parent handbook so that its child protection policies are explained better.
The Department of Education and Communities is reassessing whether YMCA NSW is a fit and proper person to be involved in the provision of an education and care service
SALVATION ARMY
Salvation Army Commissioner Raymond James Condon confirmed that the Army accepts that, in certain circumstances, it is vicariously liable for abuse in its boys and girls homes
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS
Christian Brothers deputy provincial leader Julian McDonald recognised the order has a responsibility to survivors of abuse.
Christian Brothers announced all survivors of its Western Australian institutions would be offered ongoing professional psychological counselling, for life, if needed.
Attorney-General George Brandis said the interim report made clear the enormous scale of the task being undertaken by the commission.
'It is important that those affected by child sexual abuse and the Australian community as a whole can learn from the commission's work so far,’ he said in a brief statement.
The federal government was considering the request for a two year extension of the royal commission's December 31, 2015 closing date to deliver its final report, it said.
The commission has said children can help design institutions that are safe for them as they have the knowledge and experience different to adults.
Research into the views of children about their safety from sexual abuse in institutions has thus been ordered.
The commission is yet to reach a view on a national redress scheme for survivors.
'We have not yet reached a view on a national scheme,’ the commission said.
Four Australian states have offered redress schemes for former residents of child institutions in Qld, WA, Tas and SA.
Incomplete data from the Catholic Church's National Committee for Professional Standards shows Church authorities have paid more than $43 million to claimants since 1997.
The commission is considering whether it is appropriate in principal to recommend a national scheme, if its possible to devise a scheme that's fair to both claimants and institutions and how that scheme might fit with existing redress schemes.
Meanwhile, the Salvation Army is facing a slump in donations to its flagship fundraising drive after the inquiry’s revelations of terrible sexual abuse of children in its care.
Donations to the Red Shield Appeal Doorknock in May are down an estimated 20 per cent this year.
Spokesman Major Bruce Harmer said the evidence heard at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was a key factor.
The church expects to fall 20 per cent or $2 million short of its $10 million target for the doorknock held on May 24 and 25.
It also expects to miss the $80 million target of the broader Red Shield Appeal, which includes corporate and other donations.
In its interim report, released on Monday, the commission said on average female victims were nine years old and male victims 10 years old when the abuse started and that it takes men longer than women to disclose their abuse.
The commission, which began its inquiry into institutional abuse on 13 January 2013, said its analysis also showed 90 per cent of sex abusers are men.
'We understand that although many people have come forward to the Royal Commission, it is likely that they represent only a minority of those abused,’ the commission said.
 |
| The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has revealed its interim report. This pictures shows Commissioner Justice Peter McClellan in Sydney |
On Monday, the commission which has already been running for 18 months, urged the federal government to give it more time and money to finish its job or risk squandering the opportunity and insulting the victims.
The commission said it needs another $104 million and an extra two years to do its job and reach more vulnerable groups.
Truth Justice and Healing Council chief executive Francis Sullivan says the inquiry into institutional responses to child sex abuse must be given the time and resources it wants.
'To not finish the job properly and completely would be an insult to all the victims of abuse and one of the greatest lost opportunities of our generation,’ he said in a statement.
 |
| Brother Julian McDonald Deputy Province Leader of Christian Brothers of Ociania (right) with Frances Sullivan (left) from the Truth and Justice Healing Council. |
Personally, I would really like to see this commission complete it's work, but then, I'm not paying for it, nor am I paying for searching the Indian Ocean for a plane wreck. But I appreciate your priorities, Australia. God bless you.
HOW INSTITUTIONS HAVE REACTED TO THE ROYAL COMMISSION
YMCA
Has promised to obtain software to centralise its recruitment, pre-employment screening and testing of policy knowledge and employee performance management
Engage an independent party to review its organisational culture
Review its policies to simplify and clarify them for staff
Review its parent handbook so that its child protection policies are explained better.
The Department of Education and Communities is reassessing whether YMCA NSW is a fit and proper person to be involved in the provision of an education and care service
SALVATION ARMY
Salvation Army Commissioner Raymond James Condon confirmed that the Army accepts that, in certain circumstances, it is vicariously liable for abuse in its boys and girls homes
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS
Christian Brothers deputy provincial leader Julian McDonald recognised the order has a responsibility to survivors of abuse.
Christian Brothers announced all survivors of its Western Australian institutions would be offered ongoing professional psychological counselling, for life, if needed.
Attorney-General George Brandis said the interim report made clear the enormous scale of the task being undertaken by the commission.
'It is important that those affected by child sexual abuse and the Australian community as a whole can learn from the commission's work so far,’ he said in a brief statement.
 |
| Attorney-General George Brandis |
The federal government was considering the request for a two year extension of the royal commission's December 31, 2015 closing date to deliver its final report, it said.
The commission has said children can help design institutions that are safe for them as they have the knowledge and experience different to adults.
Research into the views of children about their safety from sexual abuse in institutions has thus been ordered.
The commission is yet to reach a view on a national redress scheme for survivors.
'We have not yet reached a view on a national scheme,’ the commission said.
Four Australian states have offered redress schemes for former residents of child institutions in Qld, WA, Tas and SA.
Incomplete data from the Catholic Church's National Committee for Professional Standards shows Church authorities have paid more than $43 million to claimants since 1997.
The commission is considering whether it is appropriate in principal to recommend a national scheme, if its possible to devise a scheme that's fair to both claimants and institutions and how that scheme might fit with existing redress schemes.
 |
| The Salvation Army is facing a slump in donations to its flagship fundraising drive after the inquiry's revelations of terrible sexual abuse of children in its care |
Donations to the Red Shield Appeal Doorknock in May are down an estimated 20 per cent this year.
Spokesman Major Bruce Harmer said the evidence heard at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was a key factor.
The church expects to fall 20 per cent or $2 million short of its $10 million target for the doorknock held on May 24 and 25.
It also expects to miss the $80 million target of the broader Red Shield Appeal, which includes corporate and other donations.
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