So many of our community are dismayed at the narrow scope of a Board of Inquiry into historic child sexual abuse, being limited to Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools. The community has knowledge of widespread abuse at other schools and institutions within the bayside area of Melbourne at that time. And also, of individual perpetrators and networks of perpetrators.

The Victorian survivor community also called for the government to engage survivors with lived and living experience in the co-design of the terms of reference, which didn't happen.

What the Premier said

"the terms of reference for the inquiry would not prohibit the inquiry going further, including examining sexual abuse at other schools.

“If evidence takes the inquiry there, then that’s where inquiry will go,” Andrews said."

What others have said

“We act for dozens of survivors of abuse at public schools across Victoria, and we certainly do expect that as the inquiry unfolds, its investigations will inevitably go further than this one school,” a Maurice Blackburn spokesperson said in a statement.

What the recently released terms of reference say

"3. TERMS OF REFERENCE

• a) The experiences of victim-survivors of historical child sexual abuse who were abused by a relevant employee at Beaumaris Primary School during the 1960s and/or 1970s;
• b) The experiences of victim-survivors of historical child sexual abuse who were abused by a relevant employee in any other government school;
• c) The response of the Department of Education in relation to the historical child sexual abuse described in clauses (3)(a) and (b) above, including the Department of Education and its officers’ state of knowledge and any actions it took or failed to take at or around the time of the abuse;
• d) Appropriate ways to support healing for affected victim-survivors, secondary victims and affected communities including, for example, the form of a formal apology, memorialisation or other activities;
• e) Having regard to other inquiries and reforms that have taken place since the historical child sexual abuse occurred, whether there are effective support services for victim-survivors of historical child sexual abuse in government schools;
• f) Any other matters related to these Terms of Reference necessary to satisfactorily inquire into or address the Terms of Reference."

How to engage with the inquiry

"The Inquiry is independent of government and will shortly be setting up its own website to provide more information about how Victorians can engage with its work, alongside appropriate trauma-informed support for people who participate.

If you wish to receive updates, including how to engage with the Inquiry, please subscribe using the form." Link here and link also provided below.

https://www.vic.gov.au/inquiry-historical-abuse-beaumaris-primary-school

Given statements made by the Premier about if evidence takes the inquiry to other schools, that's where it will go, we hope survivors, their families and communities do feel they can share their evidence and stories.

We will continue to stand with all survivors, their families and communities

The outcomes our Petition seeks, are for the benefit of all.

We know we are stronger together and louder together, and collectively can influence much needed changes by government and within society, when we all stand together.

Let's make the most of this moment together.