We are grateful to Ingrid, Michael C and others whose lived experience  helped to inform the experiences of people who participated in the Truth and Recognition  Forum, and the content of the  associated final report.  Ensuring the Forum was a safe and respectful space for people to share their experiences of child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools and certain non-government schools prior to the year 2000.

Of course the Victorian Government should have a permanent Survivor Council with lived experience of institutional child sexual abuse, including victim/survivors and family members of victim/survivors, to consult and engage with. 

Now this lived experience work has finished as the Truth and Recognition Forum has now closed, we’re going to again raise with the Victorian Attorney-General.  That the government's existing Victims Survivors' Advisory  Council established 10 years ago, with members whom have lived experience - victim/survivors and family members of familial sexual abuse, exploitation and violence - should be expanded. To include victim/survivors, and families of victim/survivors with lived experience of institutional child sexual abuse. Vital to ensuring relevant lived experience always informs all relevant Government decisions regarding institutional child sexual abuse policy, legislation, strategies and services. 

One recent example where this lived experience of institutional child sexual abuse could have been accessed by the Victorian Government, is the development of the Justice Legislation Amendment (Vicarious Liability for Child Abuse) Bill 2025.

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