This morning the report of the Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools was published after being tabled in Victorian Parliament. The link to the report follows.
https://www.beaumarisinquiry.vic.gov.au/report
The report is 466 pages in total, and it will take time for anyone to read through it in its entirety. What we will endeavour to do, is walk through each of the nine recommendations the report made, and share what we’re hearing from others, in addition to our thoughts. Starting with Recommendation 3, which appears to be most concerning.
Recommendation 3: A statewide truth-telling and accountability process
“The Board of Inquiry recommends the Victorian Government establish a statewide truth-telling and accountability process for victim-survivors of historical child sexual abuse in all Victorian government schools that:
• is independent and time-limited
• is available to:
* victim-survivors of historical child sexual abuse in any Victorian government school
* victim-survivors of historical child sexual abuse in a non-government school where the alleged perpetrator previously worked at a government school and allegedly committed child sexual abuse at that government school
• results in an independent public record of victim-survivors’ experiences shared through the truth-telling process, that includes recognition of past failings of the Department of Education.”
The following are the concerns we’re hearing, which we also have.
- This recommendation isn’t about Government accountability at all, as it puts the onus on survivors and families coming forward and telling their stories, without supporting/enabling justice.
- It is highly unlikely that this ‘truth-telling’ will be published in a way, that specific government schools, offenders and enablers of offenders at those schools, are made public and are therefore, truly held to account.
- This truth-telling process won’t be supported by investigations, which the stories heard by the Beaumaris Board of Inquiry were.
- This truth telling process feels like the Victorian government is encouraging survivors and families to tell their stories, in a way that limits the Government's financial liability for redress and civil claims.
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“Why should which offender at a certain government school, change how the government supports you?”
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Some of the reasons that calls for a Board of Inquiry, with all the supporting processes of the Beaumaris Board of Inquiry, should be expanded to include all Victorian government schools.
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The norm when governments instigate an inqiry or commission, for which they have defined the terms of reference, is they usually commit to implementing the recommendations in full. The statement from the Victorian Premier this morning, unusually fails to commit to implementing the Board of Inquiry recommendations in full. Let alone doing more than what has been recommended. The statement is available via the following link.
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The next Victorian Child Sexual Abuse Survivors and Supporters lunch is on Wednesday, 13th March, an important time for the community to come together after the Beaumaris Board of Inquiry report has been made public.
The Sandringham Hotel is accessible via public transport, a short walk from the Sandringham Railway Station. There is also off street and undercover parking, plus it is wheel chair accessible. There is no minimum spend requirements either, nor is there a booking fee, and there is an express menu available from 11:30 AM - 3 PM midweek, that is a main and dessert for $19.
We have booked a table on the outside balcony, to be Covid and virus safe, as much as possible.
You can turn up on the day, but if it is possible please RSVP beforehand via the Facebook event link below, thank you.
https://fb.me/e/4KeUCMTLl
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Thank you to all our supporters, and please don't hesitate to share your thoughts on the Board of Inquiry recommendations with us too. We are stronger together.