The Andrews Labor Government today released its response to the final report from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Attorney-General Martin Pakula said the Labor Government has accepted in full or in principle 293 of the recommendations that apply to Victoria, and will further consider another 24 recommendations.
Victoria will also commit to reporting annually on its implementation progress for the next five years.
The Royal Commission made a total of 409 recommendations across four reports. The Government has:
- Accepted 128 recommendations
- Accepted in principle 165 recommendations
- Committed to further consider another 24 recommendations
- Noted 92 recommendations that do not apply to the Victorian Government.
Victoria has led the way in reforming sexual offence laws in recent years, including creating new laws to quash an unfair legal loophole preventing survivors from suing some organisations for their abuse.
We have also abolished civil claim time limits to allow lawsuits to be lodged regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred, and we introduced an Australian-first ‘duty of care’ for organisations exercising care, supervision or authority over children.
Victoria is leading the nation in implementing the recommendations and have already introduced child safe standards, a reportable conduct scheme and landmark Child Information Sharing legislation.
Victoria was – together with New South Wales – the first state in Australia to opt in to the National Redress Scheme earlier this year, responding to key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the Betrayal of Trust Report.
The national scheme commenced on July 1, 2018 and survivors are now able to seek redress in relation to Victorian government institutions and participating non-government institutions.
The Government will continue consulting with the Commonwealth, states and territories to progress more than 50 recommendations that require national action.
To read more about the government’s response go to:
Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Martin Pakula
“We have delivered a number of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse to make sure that survivors of institutional child sexual abuse receive the recognition, respect and support they deserve.”
“Victoria was one of the first states to sign up to the National Redress Scheme and we will continue to work with the Commonwealth, states and territories to progress recommendations that require national action.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020