The Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019 received Royal Assent on 5 November 2019. The Act provides the legal framework for the establishment of the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board (the Board).
The Premier of NSW, Nathan Rees made an apology to the âForgotten Australiansâ on 19 September 2009. On 16 November 2009, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology in the Federal Parliament to the âForgotten Australiansâ. 500,000 people, including over 7000 former British child migrants were part of the apology, which acknowledged the many instances of neglect and abuse that was the result of their time in government institutions, church organisations, orphanages, homes or foster care. The plight of the âForgotten Australiansâ has been identified in three Senate committee inquiries, with each making unanimous calls for an apology.
The NSW Migration Heritage Centre supported the Fairbridge Heritage Association Inc.âs heritage project to record the experiences of former British child migrants at the Fairbridge Farm School, Molong, which documents a chapter of Australian migration and settlement history.
The Fairbridge organisation operated child migration schemes for underprivileged British children in Canada, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and Australia from 1912 until 1980. Parents were persuaded to sign over legal guardianship of their children, on the promise of a better life in these Commonwealth countries.
The isolated, rural Fairbridge Farm School near Molong in New South Wales operated from 1938 until 1974 during which time about 1000 boys and girls passed through the school and were trained to be âfarmers and farmersâ wivesâ.
Many of those children, now aged in their 60s and 70s, are now talking for the first time about their experiences. Loneliness was rife. Food was often inedible. The standard of education was limited. Disturbingly, more than half of the 39 oral histories recorded by the Fairbridge Heritage Association Inc. document physical and sexual abuse. All the oral histories have been lodged with State Library of NSW and are accessible for research purposes.
The oral histories were subsequently incorporated in David Hillâs book The Forgotten Children and some of the accounts also appear in a documentary entitled The Long Journey Home screened on ABC Television on 17 November 2009.
The transcripts will be accessible at the State Library of NSW »
Read Fairbridge memories and view personal mementos and photographs in our Belongings exhibition »
Read a selection of 10 oral histories recorded by the Fairbridge Heritage Association Inc.
Vincent McMullen came as a 7Âœ year old from Dumbarton in Scotland to Fairbridge in February 1961. He came to Australia as part of a later Fairbridge âFamilyâ scheme, with his mother and father, four brothers and two sisters and spent a total of 4 Âœ years at Fairbridge. This interview was recorded in Vincentâs home in Sydney on February 6, 2006.
Download transcript (pdf)
Stewart Lee came as a 4 year old from Manchester to Fairbridge with his three brothers, 11 year old Syd, 9 year old Graham and 8 year old Ian Bayliff, arriving in Sydney in March 1955. Stewart was to stay at Fairbridge for 13 years. This interview was recorded in Gloucester House at Fairbridge Farm Molong on
February 9, 2006.
Download transcript (pdf)
Eddie Baker came as a 10 year old from Winchester to Fairbridge arriving in Sydney in May 1948. He stayed 6 years at Fairbridge. This interview was recorded in Eddieâs house in regional New South Wales February 8, 2006.
Download transcript (pdf)
Malcolm Field came as a 10 year old from England to Fairbridge with his 14 year old brother Laurie, arriving in Sydney in December 1952. His younger brother Keith, aged 6 and sister Jane, aged 5, were already at Fairbridge having been sent out in 1951. Malcolm was to stay at Fairbridge for 7 years. This interview was recorded in Malcolmâs home in regional New South Wales on February 17, 2006.
Download transcript (pdf)
Margaret Watt left England for Fairbridge as a 10 year old with her 12 year old twin sisters Joy and June and 13 year old sister Rosemary in 1940. With the outbreak of the Second World War the party of 30 children sailed via Canada and was to be the last group of child migrants to Fairbridge for another seven years. Margaret left Fairbridge after 6 years in 1946 to be with her mother who had followed the children out to Australia. This interview was recorded in Margaretâs home in Sydney on January 31, 2006.
Download transcript (pdf)
Scottish Margaret McLauchlan left Northumberland and came to Australia as 5 year old with her 6 year old brother Frank in 1938. Originally they were sent to the Northcotte childrenâs home in Victoria but were moved during the Second World War with 38 other children to the Fairbridge Farm School at Molong in 1944. Margaret left Fairbridge as a 17 year old in 1949. This interview was recorded in Margaretâs Sydney home on February 8, 2006.
Download transcript (pdf).
Gwen Miller came as a 10 year old from Grimsby to Fairbridge with her 7 year old sister Kath and her 4 year old brother Reg and 9 year old Doug, arriving in Sydney in June 1952. An older brother, 14 year old Hughie, joined them at Fairbridge in July the following year. Gwen stayed at Fairbridge for 7 years. This interview was recorded in Gloucester House at Fairbridge Farm School Molong on February 9, 2006.
Download transcript (pdf)
Peter Bennett came from Suffolk to Fairbridge as a 6 year old in 1940 with his 9 year old sister Marie. With the outbreak of the Second World War Peter and Marie sailed with 28 other children via Canada in what was to be the last group of child migrants to Fairbridge for another seven years. Peter was to stay at Fairbridge for 10 years. This interview was recorded in Peterâs home in Sydney on February 15, 2006.
Download transcript (pdf)
Joyce Drury came to Fairbridge as a 10 year old from Birkdale, Lancashire arriving in Sydney in June 1938. She was to stay at Fairbridge for 7 years. This interview was recorded with Tony Myers at Joyceâs home in regional New South Wales on February 21, 2006.
Download transcript (pdf)
Dennis Piercy came to Fairbridge as an 8 year old with his 5 year old brother Barnie, arriving in Sydney in May 1955. Dennis stayed at Fairbridge for 9 years. This interview was recorded at Gloucester House, Fairbridge Farm School, on March 3, 2006.
Download transcript (pdf)
RETRIEVED http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/fairbridge/fairbridge-transcripts/index.html
BLUE KNOT FOUNDATION FACT SHEET FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED CHILDHOOD TRAUMA (INCLUDING ABUSE)
1 Childhood trauma stems from overwhelming negative experiences in early life. It can take many forms (eg. sexual,emotional,physicalabuseandneglect).Itcanalso occur without abuse if early caregivers were unable
to meet your emotional needs (e.g. because they had unresolved trauma histories themselves).
2 Unresolved childhood trauma negatively impacts 8 health and well-being in adulthood. It affects both emotional and physical health (the whole personâ)
and the full impacts may not become apparent until
years later.
3 It is possible to heal from childhood trauma. Research shows that with the right support, even severe early life trauma can be resolved. It also shows that when an adult has resolved their childhood trauma, it benefits their children or the children they may later have.
Children develop coping mechanisms to deal with the effects of childhood trauma. It is normal to want to feel better, and if you were traumatised as a child the need to escapeâ feelings can be intense.
4 Effects of childhood trauma include anxiety, depression, health problems (emotional and physical), disconnection, isolation, confusion, being âspaced outâ, and fear of intimacy and new experiences. There 10 is no one size fits allâ, but reduced quality of life is a constant.
5 Survivors are often on âhigh alertâ. Even minor stress can trigger âout of proportionâ responses. Your body continues to react as if you are still in danger, and this can be explained in terms of unresolved prior experience.
6 Survivors often struggle with shame and self-blame. But childhood trauma and its established effects are NOT your fault, even though you may feel otherwise (often because this is what you were encouraged to believe as a child when you were vulnerable and still developing).
7 Self-blame can be especially strong if you experienced any positive physical sensations (which is not an uncommon body response) in relation to abuse you have undergone. Physical reaction to sexual abuse does NOT mean desire for, or agreement to, it. Children cannot consent to, much less âcauseâ, sexual or other forms of abuse.
8 Children develop coping mechanisms to deal with the effects of childhood trauma. It is normal to want to feel better, and if you were traumatised as a child the need to `escapeâ feelings can be intense.
9 Coping mechanisms develop for a reason, serve a purpose, and can be highly effective in the short term. But some methods of coping (e.g. excessive alcohol use) can be risky in themselves. Addictions (to food, sex, drugs), avoidance of contact with others (which reinforces isolation) and compulsive behaviours of various kinds (in attempts to run from the underlying problem which, because it is unaddressed, doesnât go away) are all ways people try to cope.
10 Coping mechanisms develop for a reason, serve a purpose, and can be highly effective in the short term. But some methods of coping (e.g. excessive alcohol use) can be risky in themselves. Addictions (to food, sex, drugs), avoidance of contact with others (which reinforces isolation) and compulsive behaviours of various kinds (in attempts to run from the underlying problem which, because it is unaddressed, doesnât go away) are all ways people try to cope.
11 Coping mechanisms develop for a reason, serve a purpose, and can be highly effective in the short term. But some methods of coping (e.g. excessive alcohol use) can be risky in themselves. Addictions (to food, sex, drugs), avoidance of contact with others (which reinforces isolation) and compulsive behaviours of various kinds (in attempts to run from the underlying problem which, because it is unaddressed, doesnât go away) are all ways people try to cope.
RETRIEVED https://www.blueknot.org.au/Portals/2/Fact%20Sheets%20Info/Fact_Sheet_Survivors.pdf
The newsletter gives an update on the National Redress Scheme (the Scheme). It covers the First Interim Report of the Joint Select Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme and recent data on application progress.
The newsletter contains material that could be confronting or distressing. Sometimes words or images can cause sadness or distress or trigger traumatic memories, particularly for people who have experienced past abuse or childhood trauma.
Support is available to help you if you need it. To find out more, go to www.nationalredress.gov.au/support.
If you need immediate support, 24-hour telephone assistance is available through:
MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
Lifeline: 13 11 14
The First Interim Report of the Joint Select Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme was released on 3 May 2020. The report is available here. The report includes 14 recommendations concerning the implementation of the Scheme. The recommendations are now being considered.
The Joint Select Committee was established in September 2019 to inquire into and report on:
As of 24 April 2020, the Scheme:
To find out more about the Scheme, go to www.nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377 from Australia or +61 3 6222 3455 from overseas and leave a message.First Interim Report
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The report âGetting the National Redress Scheme right: An overdue step towards justiceâ suggested the Scheme should be measured against three core principles:
1 the Scheme must be survivor-focussed and trauma-informed;
2 the Redress process must proceed on the basis of âdo no further harmâ to the survivor; and
3 amendments to the Scheme must be subject to proper consultation with key survivor groups.
(This is an extract from the Chairâs Foreword of First Interim Report of the Joint Select Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme (April 2020). A PDF of it should be made available in our Library + can be retrieved from https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/reportjnt/024473/toc_pdf/FirstInterimReportoftheJointSelectCommitteeonImplementationoftheNationalRedressSchemeApril2020.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf. For further explanation, the Introduction text is reposted as follows –
1.1The Joint Select Committee (Committee) was formed to inquire into the Australian Government policy, program and legal response to the redress related recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, including the establishment and operation of the Commonwealth Redress Scheme and ongoing support of survivors. 1.2The Committee is required to table its final report in May 2022.1.3Section 192 of the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018 (the Act) provides that the relevant Minister must conduct a review of the National Redress Scheme (NRS) as soon as possible after the second anniversary of NRS operation. The Committee notes that the NRS commenced 1 July 2018, and as such, the review must commence prior to 30 June 2020. 1.4Early in its deliberations, the Committee resolved that its first priority should be to review the early experience of survivors with the NRS and use their evidence to identify priority issues that should be addressed by the second anniversary review. 1.5It is the Committeeâs expectation that the Minister for Families and Social Services and the Department of Social Services (DSS) accept the findings in this interim report and ensure that the matters identified are incorporated into the terms of reference and design of the second anniversary review as a matter of priority.
Objectives and Scope1.6On 2 April 2020, the Committee announced that it would table an interim report into the implementation of the NRS to reflect the evidence received so far by the Committee.11.7It remains the Committeeâs intention that this report will inform the work and priorities of the legislated second anniversary review of the NRS which is to commence after 30 June 2020.1.8The Committee has resolved to finalise a second interim report before tabling its final report in May 2022.
1.9On 13 February 2020, the Committee issued a media release announcing initial public hearing program. Due to matters associated with COVID-19 on 16 March 2020, a separate media release was published noting the hearing program would continue as advised via teleconference.1.10Since the establishment of the Committee, six public hearings have been held. Transcripts can be found on the Committee website and a list of witnesses that appeared is at Appendix A.1.11The Committee invited submissions to be received by 29 May 2020, noting that submissions could be received after that date. The Committee also informed people that confidential and name withheld submissions would also be received. To date the Committee has received 20 submissions, which are listed at Appendix B.
1.12Chapter 1 details the scope of the activities conducted to undertake the interim report and includes discussion of the Committees aims for the interim report. 1.13Chapter 2 provides a background to the development of the NRS, and discusses how the government has implemented the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. Consideration of previous parliamentary committee findings is also included in this section. 1.14Chapter 3 examines the NRS application process. The three components of an offer of redress including monetary payment, counselling services and direct personal responses are also examined.1.15Chapter 4 considers NRS participation and examines factors that may be influencing a survivorâs decision on whether to apply for redress through the NRS. The number and rate of institutions joining the NRS is also discussed. 1.16Chapter 5 discusses the appropriateness of funder of last resort provisions within the Act.1.17Chapter 6 outlines areas that the Committee believe need to be examined in order to maximise the opportunities of the second anniversary review to deliver improved survivor experiences and outcomes from the NRS.1.18Throughout the interim report the Committee has included quotes that refer to the NRS as the scheme or redress scheme. The Committee has not amended these references.1.19Two appendices accompany this report and provide details on submissions received and a list of witnesses who appeared before the Committee. 1.20A copy of this report, transcripts of hearings and submissions received are available on the Committeeâs website at www.aph.gov.au/redress.
The newsletter gives an update on the National Redress Scheme. It covers information and support during Coronavirus, recent data on application progress, institutions, and related initiatives.
The newsletter contains material that could be confronting or distressing. Sometimes words or images can cause sadness or distress or trigger traumatic memories, particularly for people who have experienced past abuse or childhood trauma. Support is available to help you if you need it. To find out more, go to www.nationalredress.gov.au/support. More information is also provided under âInformation and services during Coronavirusâ below.
Our priority continues to be processing applications and delivering outcomes. We are doing everything possible to process applications and are working closely with participating institutions.
If you call the National Redress Scheme Information Phone Line (1800 737 377) from Australia or +61 6222 3455 from overseas you will be able to leave a voicemail message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
The Scheme continues to accept and process applications. If you need to lodge a document, provide identity documents or have any queries regarding the Scheme, please contact the National Redress Information Phone Line on the above numbers and leave a message.
If you need immediate support, 24-hour telephone assistance is available through:
If you need assistance with your redress application or emotional support in applying you can contact a Redress Support Service.We are aware that many providers are operating in a different manner because of the impact of Coronavirus. In most circumstances they will be able to provide assistance over the phone.
If you need information about Coronavirus and what the Government is doing, go to http://www.health.gov.au or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. This line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As of 28 February 2020, the Scheme:
Please note, the Churches of Christ mentioned in the 6 February 2020 media release refer to two Churches of Christ institutions (Nowra Church of Christ and Castle Hill Community Church) that have joined the Scheme under insurance company ACS Mutual LTD. Churches of Christ in NSW and ACT are in the process of joining the Scheme and will be declared in the second quarter of 2020.
Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board Northern Ireland has created a historical institutional abuse compensation scheme after several inquiries into historical institutional abuse of children. Anyone who suffered abuse as a child while resident in a Northern Ireland institution between 1922 and 1995 (inclusive) can claim compensation under the scheme. The scheme started on 31 March 2020 and will remain open for five years. To find out more, go to www.hiaredressni.uk.
The Redress Support Service Child Migrant’s Trust is available to assist any former child migrants from Northern Ireland with information about the scheme. Contact Child Migrant’s Trust for more information on 1800 040 509, or you can use the contact form on their website.
The Disability Royal Commission has been created in response to community concern about widespread reports of the neglect, abuse, exploitation of and violence against people with disability.
Anybody can make a submission to the Royal Commission. A submission can be submitted in any way you feel comfortable – by telephone, email, video or through the Commission’s website.
On 16 March 2020, the Royal Commission announced it was suspending all public events until further notice due to concerns about the spread of Coronavirus. This is to help keep people safe, especially people with disability.
For more information and to keep updated on the Royal Commission’s work, go to the Commissionâs website.
To find out more about the National Redress Scheme, go to www.nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377 from Australia or +61 3 6222 3455 from overseas and leave a message.
While I have often felt obliged to âtell the truthâ, I was drawn to reading through the latest âBlogging for Dummiesâ (7th Ed., 2019). Jumping straight to a section of Blogging Ethically, titled âTelling the truthâ (pp.39-41) contains the following options:
Expectedly, QLD : .. Who is mandated to make a notification? âThe groups of people mandated to notify cases of suspected child abuse and neglect range from persons in a limited number of occupations (e.g., Qld)â (AIFS CFCA 2017). Does this start to give reasons why our GPS may have been âa hunting ground for pedophilesâ? Weâve recently seen how Catholicism, George Pell + High Court have grabbed International exposure. How far away, will BBC + various other GPS schools appear in their documentaries?
Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2017). Child Family Community Australia Resource Sheetâ September 2017. Retrieved from https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/mandatory-reporting-child-abuse-and-neglect April 2020.
Ferguson, Sarah. (2020). Revelation Documentary. Retrieved from https://iview.abc.net.au/show/revelation.
Lupold Bair, Amy. (2019). Blogging For Dummies (Computer/Tech) 7th Ed.
© & ⹠Tony Anstatt, 2020. All Rights Reserved.
The former financial controller of the Vatican and most senior Catholic Church official to be found guilty of child sexual assault, Cardinal George Pell, will be released from prison and have his conviction overturned. He has served more than 400 days in isolation behind bars.
In December 2018, a Melbourne jury unanimously convicted Pell of five charges relating to child sexual abuse dating back to a Sunday service at St Patrickâs Cathedral in 1996.
However, on the 7th of April 2020, the High Court said there was âa significant possibility that an innocent person has been convicted because the evidence did not establish guilt to the requisite standard of proofâ.
The bench also said the jury should have entertained a doubt around Pellâs guilt with respect to each of the individual offences. Because there was reasonable doubt, the High Court quashed all of Pellâs convictions and ordered verdicts of acquittal be entered in its place.
It was not enough that the jurors found the complainant and witnesses to be believable, credible and honest.
Pellâs legal team, led by Bret Walker SC (Senior Counsel), argued it was âliterally impossibleâ for the complainant to have been abused on the day in question and claimed a âformidable listâ of factors and events providing Pell with an alibi.
Pellâs first appeal was shot down on a majority of two to one. This âbotched decisionâ by Victoriaâs highest court left Pell in prison for an additional seven months for crimes he never committed.
Walker SC argued on behalf of Pell before a full bench of seven High Court judges in Canberra. Walker SC claimed that just because the complainant was believable, it shouldnât discount other evidence placing Pellâs conviction in doubt.
The High Court decision does not deny the validity of the complainant, a former choir boy who testified he and a friend were sexually assaulted by Pell. Walker SC and Victoriaâs Director of Public Prosecutions, Kerri Judd QC, agreed the choirboy was a credible, believable witness.
However, all seven High Court judges, Australiaâs finest legal minds, decided in Pellâs favour.
Pell learned of his success from inside his isolated cell at Barwon Prison, home to some of Australiaâs most dangerous criminals.
Image: Al Jazeera
RETRIEVED https://kelsolawyers.com/au/george-pell-conviction-quashed/
3-minute read Listen
If you believe a child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening situation call 000. If you wish to report a child protection matter, contact the department responsible for child protection in your state or territory.
Child abuse is any behaviour that harms or could harm a child or young person, either physically or emotionally. It does not matter whether the behaviour is intentional or unintentional.
There are different types of child abuse, and many children experience more than one type:
Children are most often abused or neglected by their parents or carers of either sex. Sexual abuse is usually by a man known to the child â a family member, a friend or a member of the school or church community.
Child abuse can affect a childâs physical, psychological, emotional, behavioural and social development through to adulthood.
Recognising the signs of child abuse is important. There may be physical, emotional or behavioural signs such as:
You should report suspected child abuse to the relevant authority in your state or territory, even if you are not certain it’s happening. This is called a notification.
Child protection systems vary depending on which state and territory you live in. This includes definitions of when a child requires protection and when authorities will intervene.
Some occupations are legally required to report suspected cases of child abuse to government authorities. The laws are different between states and territories but the most common occupations are teachers, doctors, nurses and police.
If you have hurt your child, or feel like you might hurt them, call Lifeline on 131 114.
If you are a child, teen or young adult who needs help and support, call the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
If you are an adult who experienced abuse as a child, call Blue Knot Helpline on 1300 657 380 or visit their website at www.blueknot.org.au/Helpline.
For more information on child abuse visit the Australian Institute of Family Studies website.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare(Child protection), ReachOut.com(What is child abuse?), Kids Helpline(Homepage), Queensland Government(About child abuse), Australian Institute of Families(Reporting child abuse and neglect: Information for service providers), Blue Knot Foundation(For survivors of childhood trauma and abuse), Australian Institute of Families(What is child abuse and neglect?)
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Last reviewed: November 2018