This week at Parliament House we met with Brad Roswell MP, the Member for Sandringham, who grew up in Beaumaris, and is also the Victorian Shadow Treasurer. Our wide ranging conversation essentially covered what survivors over many decades have shared with Dr Judith Herman, an  expert on trauma. Recovery for survivors - to live their best life possible - requires justice for survivors.

Making the trauma of child sexual abuse, and healing from trauma, a social issue. Not a personal, psychological issue for survivors to struggle with on their own, but issues for governments and society who elects governments, to address.

Planned apology

Our conversation started with the upcoming planned apology by the Victorian Premier to survivors of child sexual abuse in government institutions, and discussing ...  but what will be the Victorian Premier be apologising for? Given without conducting an inquiry, the Victorian government lacks knowledge of the scope and scale of historic child sexual abuse in Victorian state schools. And what is an apology, without an actual acknowledgement of facts?

We agreed a Government inquiry is vital, and support Brad Roswell's calling on the Victorian Government to conduct one. 

We are keen that the scope of such an inquiry into child sexual abuse is broad, and not limited to specific types of Victorian government institutions, or individual institutions.

Making Amends

Our conversation included sharing why the Victorian Government must implement in full, recommendation 9.1 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Providing examples, personal stories, and facts on the multiple barriers to survivors accessing health and social services and supports, and the difference this could make, by saving lives and improving life outcomes for so many Victorians.

We are continuing to share our knowledge and connections, on the practicalities and huge benefits of integrated health and care systems that are partially and fully implemented elsewhere, with Brad Roswell. 

We are very grateful for the time and very geniune interest, concern and support Brad demonstrated, and will keep you updated on our continuing conversations.

Justice

In addition to our ongoing concerns about the Victorian Government's lack of transparency and information on actions taken in response to all the of Royal Commission Recomendations, we know that Victoria's systems of justice are far from healing. And we will also continue to call on the Victorian Government to implement all of the recommendations made by the Victorian Law Reform Commission's investigation and report, Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences .

Because survivors, their families and communities, require justice to heal.