Royal Commission to Resume Public Hearing into Out-of-home Care

Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
June 5, 2015

http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/2015-06/royal-commission-to-resume-public-hearing-into-out


This is the second stage of the Royal Commission’s public hearing examining preventing child sexual abuse in out-of-home care and responding to allegations of child sexual abuse occurring in out-of-home care.

Evidence will be received from care leavers, representatives from organisations which provide advocacy and support services and oversight bodies (Children’s Guardians, Public Advocates, Children’s Commissioners and Ombudsmen).

The scope and purpose of the public hearing is to inquire into:

1. The incidence of child sexual abuse in contemporary out-of-home care settings.

2. Recruitment, assessment and training of carers in out-of-home care.

3. Monitoring and oversight of children in out-of-home care in the context of preventing child sexual abuse and responding to allegations of child sexual abuse.

4. Systems, policies, practices and procedures for

a. reporting allegations of child sexual abuse in out-of-home care

b. responding to allegations of child sexual abuse in out-of-home care, and

c. supporting children who have been sexually abused in out-of-home care.

5. Any related matters.

Any person or institution who believes that they have a direct and substantial interest in the scope and purpose of the public hearing is invited to lodge a written application for leave to appear at the public hearing by 17 June 2015.

Any person or institution who believes that they have a direct and substantial interest in the scope and purpose of the public hearing is invited to lodge a written application for leave to appear at the public hearing by 17 June 2015.

Applications for leave to appear should be made using the form available on the Royal Commission website entitled ‘Application for Leave to Appear at the Royal Commission’ and include a short submission setting out the basis on which it is said the applicant has a substantial and direct interest in appearing.

The form and the submission should be lodged with the Royal Commission via: Email: solicitor@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au; or Mail: GPO Box 5283, Sydney NSW 2001.

For more information on lodging your submission email solicitor@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au

The public hearing will be streamed live to the public via webcast on the Royal Commission’s website at www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au.

Interested individuals and organisations are encouraged to view the proceedings via the webcast.