Child Sexual Abuse: How to access the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and services & supports available
Children with Disability Australia | October 2014
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CONTENTS Children with Disability Australia ...................................................................................................... 3 Progressing the inclusion of children with disability in the Royal Commission – the work of CDA.............................................................................................. 5 Assistance available from Children with Disability Australia ............................................................. 6 The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse..................................... 6 Providing information or telling your story to the Royal Commission ................................................ 8 How to proceed with providing information to the Royal Commission ............................................. 9 Support available from the Royal Commission .............................................................................. 10 Support services for people affected by the Royal Commission ............................................... 11–13 Enabling & Protecting Issues Paper................................................................................................ 14 Children with Disability Australia membership form ....................................................................... 15
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Children with Disability Australia Children with Disability Australia (CDA) is the national peak body representing children and young people with disability aged 0–25 years. CDA is a not for profit organisation. A crucial part of our role is to provide a link between the direct experiences of children and young people with disability and their families to federal government and other key stakeholders. This link is essential for the creation of a true appreciation of the experiences and challenges that make up the lives of children and young people with disability and their families.
CDA’s Vision CDA’s vision is that children and young people with disability living in Australia are afforded every opportunity to thrive, achieve their potential and that their rights and interests as individuals, members of a family and their community are met.
CDA’s Purpose CDA’s purpose is to advocate systemically at the national level for the rights and interests of all children and young people with disability living in Australia as individuals, members of a family and their community.
CDA’s Role CDA has the mandate to advocate for children and young people with disability living in Australia and undertakes the following to achieve its purpose:
• Listen and respond to the voices and experiences of children and young people with disability. • Advocate for children and young people with disability for equal opportunities for participation and inclusion in the Australian community. • Educate national public policy-makers and the broader community about the experiences of children and young people with disability. • Inform children and young people with disability, their families and care givers about their citizenship rights and entitlements. • Celebrate the successes and achievements of children and young people with disability.
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CDA’s Guiding Principles • Fundamental rights: the rights and interests of children and young people with disability are CDA’s highest priority consistent with Australia’s obligations under the UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. • Having a childhood: children and young people with disability are children first and foremost and have a right to all aspects of childhood that children without disability are afforded. • Participating in decision making: children and young people with disability have the right to participate, in whatever capacity, in decisions that impact on their lives. • An inclusive approach: children with all types of disability, from all cultural and religious backgrounds, living with all types of families and in all geographic locations are supported by the work of CDA. • Valuing families and care givers: for the contributions made by families and care givers to support the rights and interests of children and young people with disability. • Working in partnerships: CDA works collaboratively with relevant government, nongovernment, private sector agencies and the broader community to promote the rights and interests of children and young people with disability. • Being accountable: CDA operates accountability, effectively and ethically as the national peak body charged with the mandate of advocating for children and young people with disability.
CDA’s Objectives 1. Meaningful participation of children and young people with disability is promoted and advanced by their national body 2. Children and young people with disability have a national champion that advances and promotes their rights 3. Children and young people with disability benefit from reforms that value and promote their contributions to Australian life 4. Children and young people with disability live in communities where they grow, play, learn and thrive 5. Inclusion is a reality for every child and young person with a disability 6. Children and young people with disability have a dedicated and focused national organisation
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The work of CDA — progressing the inclusion of children with disability in the Royal Commission Research has found that children with disability are 3.4 times more likely to be abused than other children. Children with communication difficulties and high behavioural support needs have a further heightened risk of abuse. Society’s attitudes and assumptions, inadequate services and factors associated with impairment have been shown to make children with disability more vulnerable to abuse. CDA has received funding from the Department of Social Services to enable us to contribute to the work of the Royal Commission and to progress the inclusion of the experiences of children with disability in this inquiry.
CDA has the following aims • Increased awareness and understanding of the work of the Royal Commission among children with disability and their families through provision of information to members, social media networks, relevant established contacts and networks and other key stakeholders. • Increased participation in and contribution to the Royal Commission of relevant experiences (individual experience and systemic expertise) of children with disability. • Children with disability and their families are supported, through information and referral, if they are considering making a submission to the Royal Commission. • Greater awareness in children and family services and the broader community regarding specific considerations relevant to abuse and children and young people with disability. • CDA progresses awareness and involvement of the work of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse within child and family community services. • CDA works in a collaborative and complementary manner with other services funded to provide assistance and support regarding the work of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. • Increased identification and implementation of preventive and protective strategies which will reduce the risk of child sexual abuse in institutions in the future.
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Assistance available from CDA • Information is provided to CDA members and other services about the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. • CDA has a specific Royal Commission page on our website. • Regular social media updates are made on our Facebook page and Twitter about the work of the Royal Commission and CDA. • An e-Bulletin which provides updates on the work of the Royal Commission and other relevant information. Go to www.cda.org.au/royal-commission-home • Further information and referral to relevant support services can be obtained by contacting the CDA office. Phone 03 9482 1130 or 1800 222 660 (regional and interstate callers) or email info@cda.org.au
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The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was set up by the Australian Government in January 2013. The Commission is investigating where systems have failed to protect children, and will make recommendations on how to improve laws, policies and practices to prevent and better respond to child sexual abuse in institutions. Institutions include schools, sporting clubs, scouts and guides, orphanages, foster care, out of home care and religious organisations. The Commission is interested in hearing from any person who wants to tell them about child sexual abuse in an institutional setting. The information the Commission receives will help inform the recommendations it makes about specific changes needed to better protect children and young people in the future. The Commission is aware that telling your story may be difficult and might make you feel like the trauma is happening all over again. This is why there is support provided for people who want to tell their story. Support is also available for anyone affected by the work of the Royal Commission, whether they choose to tell their story or not. Support services are listed on pages 11 and 12 and on the Royal Commission website www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au or phone the Royal Commission on 1800 099 340.
The Commissioners Six Commissioners have been appointed. The Royal Commission has been granted an extension by the Australian government and its final report is due by December 2017. The Hon. Justice Peter McClellan AM is the Chair of the Commission. The other five Commissioners are Mr Bob Atkinson AO APM, Justice Jennifer Coate, Mr Robert Fitzgerald AM, Professor Helen Milroy, and Mr Andrew Murray. At the end of June 2014, Justice McLellan reported that the Royal Commission had heard the experiences of more than 1730 people in private sessions and had received 1650 written accounts The Royal Commission has held 13 public hearings as at the end of June 2014.
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Providing information to the Royal Commission You can choose to provide information or share your story in the following ways: • In writing (letter or email). The Royal Commission support staff can help you prepare your statement, and you can also get help from services funded by the Royal Commission to provide support. • Private face to face session with one of the Commissioners. If you choose to have a private session, you can have a support person with you. • Recording your story over the phone or in a meeting with a support officer from the Royal Commission.
It is important to know if you provide information to the Royal Commission: • You do not have to remember every detail about the sexual abuse. • Child sexual abuse is relevant to the work of this inquiry whether it happened a long time ago OR very recently. • Institutions are defined very broadly – and include schools, special schools, sports clubs, scouts and guides. • The Commission is interested in the institutional response to any child sexual abuse that happened when children were in the care of that institution, including, for example, by employees of the institution, other children or volunteers. • Any account of child sexual abuse is important to the Commission. Some people have been hesitant to report their experience because they feel the sexual abuse has not been as serious as others’. • The experience of child sexual abuse does not have to have happened to you. You can provide information to the Commission relating to a family member, your child, a fellow student or a friend. • Your submission can be anonymous if you wish. If you are not sure whether your information or experience is relevant, the Royal Commission encourages you to call and discuss this directly with them. The decision to tell your story to the Royal Commission is a personal one and is entirely up to you. Support services listed on pages 11 and 12 are available if you would like to talk through your options. The Commissioners are aware that telling your story may be difficult and might make you feel like the trauma is happening all over again. This is why there is support provided for people who want to tell their story.
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How to proceed if you want to provide information to the Royal Commission • The first step is to contact the Royal Commission. Phone 1800 099 340 8.00am – 8.00pm Email contact@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au Mail GPO Box 5283 Sydney NSW 2001 National Relay Service For people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment. Calls can be made by TTY on 133 677 or Speak & Listen 1300 555 727. • A Royal Commission officer will call you back – this may take some time depending on the number of people requiring a return call. You do not have to tell your whole story to the officer – he or she only needs enough information to determine if your information fits the terms of reference of the Royal Commission. • If your information is outside the terms of reference of the Royal Commission, the officer will assist you with some referrals to other services that can help if you wish. • If your information is within the terms of reference of the Royal Commission, the officer will ask you how you want to tell your story – whether by written statement, voice recording or a private session with a Commissioner. • The officer will then help you with whichever choice you make, and tell you how to go about the next step. • The Royal Commission has counselling support available for people attending private sessions who will be there to talk with you and provide support following the session if you wish. The counsellor can also provide referrals for on-going support if needed. • A written statement can be anonymous if you wish. • Support and counselling is also available for people making a statement in writing or voice recording.
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What happens to your testimony to the Royal Commission? • All written statements and private sessions provide important information to the Royal Commission and help them in making their recommendations for change. • All written statements and private sessions are kept confidential. • The Commissioners choose whether certain information will go to a public hearing. This decision is usually based on whether the Commissioners want to highlight particular practices or issues (for example, the response by the Catholic Church, the Salvation Army or the YMCA) or specific situations (for example, St Ann’s Special School in Adelaide). • Your information is important to the Commission, whether it is part of a public hearing or not. • No one is compelled to give evidence at a public hearing if they do not wish to do so. If there is a public hearing relating to your testimony, and you do not want to appear in person, you can provide a written statement to the Royal Commission or choose not to be involved at all.
Support available from the Royal Commission • The Royal Commission can provide financial support to travel to a private session if necessary. • Counsellors are available to support people giving testimony at a private session and also to support people attending public hearings. • Royal Commission counsellors can provide people with the phone numbers of referral services who can provide on-going support or counselling if needed. The Australian Government has provided funding for a range of support services. A list of support services is on pages 11 and 12 and the Royal Commission website. www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/supportservices. • Royal Commission staff can attend a person’s home or other agreed place if necessary to record their story. • Financial assistance can be provided for witnesses to travel to the public hearings. • Free legal advice and support is available if necessary from Knowmore Legal Service 1800 605 762 www.knowmore.org.au • Interpreters or communication support workers are provided if necessary. • The National Relay Service can be used for deaf people, or people with a hearing or speech impairment. The NRS is an Australia wide phone service for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. It is available to everyone at no additional charge, and calls can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Services that can assist you to contact the Royal Commission The Royal Commission website has a list of services funded by the Australian Government to help provide advice and support. Services can assist in preparing a written statement, go to a private session with you, help you arrange transport to a private session and support you through the process of contacting the Royal Commission. These services are available free of charge. www.knowmore.org.au www.bravehearts.org.au www.childwise.net www.pwd.org.au www.igfa.com.au www.tzedek.org.au www.healingfoundation.org.au
National Knowmore -independent legal advice. Bravehearts ChildWise People with Disability Australia In Good Faith & Associates (faith based abuse) Tzedek (Jewish community) Healing Foundation (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander) SNAICC (Secretariat of National Aboriginal & Islander Child Care)
1800 605 762 1800 272 831 1800 991 099 1800 422 015 03 9326 5991 1300 893 335 02 6124 4400
ACT
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre Relationships Australia NSW & ACT
02 6247 2525 www.crcc.org.au 1800 025 441 www.nsw.relationships.com.au
NSW
Link Up NSW (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander) Relationships Australia NSW
1800 624 332 www.linkupnsw.org.au 1300 364 277 www.nsw.relationships.com.au
NT
Relationships Australia NT
1300 364 277 www.nt.relationships.org.au
QLD
07 3808 3299 www.casv.org.au Centre Against Sexual Violence (Logan, Beenleigh, Beaudesert only) LinkUp (QLD) (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander) 1800 200 855 www.link-upqld.org.au Relationships Australia QLD 1300 364 277 www.raq.org.au
SA
Relationships Australia South Australia Victim Support Service Incorporated Nunkuwarrin Yunti of SA (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander)
1300 364 277 www.rasa.org.au 1800 182 368 www.victimsa.org 08 8406 1600 www.nunku.org.au
TAS
Relationships Australia Tasmania Sexual Assault Support Service
1300 364 277 www.tas.relationships.org.au 03 6231 1817 www.sass.org.au
VIC
Drummond St Services Relationships Australia VIC Link Up Victoria (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander) The Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria
03 9663 6733 1800 052 674 1800 687 662 1800 105 303
www.ds.org.au www.relationshipsvictoria.com.au www.healthepast.org www.fvpls.org
WA
Relationships Australia WA Anglicare WA Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation Kimberly Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation
1300 364 277 08 9263 2000 08 9218 9477 1800 830 338
www.wa.relationships.com.au www.anglicarewa.org.au www.yorgum.com.au www.kimberleystolengeneration. com.au
03 9489 8099 www.snaicc.org.au
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Services that can help you with counselling support These services are available to any person affected by the work of the Royal Commission. You do not have to be directly involved in the Royal Commission to access these services. These services are free of charge. 1300 657 380 www.asca.org.au 1800 272 831 www.bravehearts.org.au 1800 991 099 www.childwise.net www.casa.org.au/links 1800 737 732 www.1800respect.org.au 1300 789 978 www.mensline.org.au 1300 659 467 www.suicicecallbackservice. org.au Healing Foundation (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander) 02 6124 4400 www.healingfoundation.org.au Headspace 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au 1800 551 800 Kids Help Line
National Adults Surviving Child Abuse (telephone support line) Bravehearts ChildWise (helpline) Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA’s) in each state 1800RESPECT (telephone & online counselling 24/7) On the Line Australia –MensLine Suicide Call Back Line
ACT
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre Victims Support ACT Relationships Australia NSW & ACT
02 6247 2525 www.crcc.org.au 1800 822 272 www.victimsupport.act.gov.au 1800 025 441 www.nsw.relationships.com.au
NSW
Interrelate Family Centre Relationships Australia NSW The Women’s Cottage (Hawkesbury area) Link Up NSW (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander) Heartfelt House (Northern Rivers) Sexual Assault Counselling Australia
1300 134 924 1800 025 441 02 4578 4190 1800 624 332 02 6628 8940 1800 211 028
Sexual Assault services NSW government Victims Access Line
www.interrelate.org.au www.nsw.relationships.com.au www.womenscottage.org.au www.linkupnsw.org.au www.heartfelhouse.org.au www.sexualassaultcounselling. org.au 1800 424 017 www.sexualassault.nsw.gov.au 1800 633 053 www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/vs
NT
Relationships Australia NT Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Danila Dilba Health Service Crisis Line NT Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre against Rape Sexual Assault Referral Centre–Darwin –Alice Springs
1300 364 277 www.nt.relationships.org.au 08 8951 4444 08 8942 5400 1800 019 116 08 8945 0155 www.rubygaea.net.au 08 8922 6472 www.health.nt.gov.au 08 8955 4500
QLD
Living Well (for men, their families & partners) Centre Against Sexual Violence (Logan, Beenleigh, Beaudesert only) WWILD (counselling & groups for people with intellectual disability – Wooloowin, Logan, Caboolture only) Relationships Australia QLD LinkUp (QLD) (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander) State wide Sexual Assault Helpline
1300 114 397 www.livingwell.org.au 07 3808 3299 www.casv.org.au 07 3262 9877 www.wwild.org.au
1300 364 277 www.raq.org.au 1800 200 855 www.link-upqld.org.au 1800 010 120 www.health.qld.gov.au/ sexualassault/html/contact.asp Wide Bay Sexual Assault Services Qld–Maryborough 07 4121 5999 –Hervey Bay 07 4194 5230
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SA
Relationships Australia South Australia Victim Support Service Incorporated Nunkuwarrin Yunti of SA (ATSI)
1300 364 277 www.rasa.org.au 1800 182 368 www.victimsa.org 08 8406 1600 www.nunku.org.au
TAS
Relationships Australia Tasmania Sexual Assault Support Service Laurel House (North & Northwest) Victims Support Services
1300 364 277 03 6231 1817 03 6431 9711 1300 300 238
VIC
CASA’s (Centres against Sexual Assault) Drummond St Services Relationships Australia VIC Link Up Victoria (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander) Victims of Crime Helpline
1800 806 292 www.casa.org.au/links 03 9663 6733 www.ds.org.au 1800 052 674 www.relationshipsvictoria. com.au 1800 687 662 www.healthepast.org 1800 819 817 www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au
Relationships Australia WA Anglicare WA Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation Kimberly Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation
08 9489 6390 1800 156 155 08 9218 9477 1800 830 338
WA
Victim Support and Child Witness Service Western Australia Sexual Assault Resource Centre
www.tas.relationships.org.au www.sass.org.au www.laurelhouse.org.au www.justice.tas.gov.au
www.wa.relationships.com.au www.anglicarewa.org.au www.yorgum.com.au www.kimberleystolengeneration. com.au 1800 818 988 www.victimsofcrime.wa.gov.au 08 9340 1828 www.kemh.health.wa.gov.au/ services/sarc/index
Other services available If you are concerned that a child you know is currently being sexually abused, ring the Child Protection Service in your state. Contact numbers listed below. www.aihw.gov.au/child-protection/#report ACT
1300 556 729
Community Services Directorate
NSW
132 111
Department of Family & Community Services
NT
1800 700 250
Department of Children and Families
QLD
1800 177 135
Department of Communities, Child safety & Disability Services
SA
131 478
Department for Education & Child Development, Families SA
TAS
1300 737 639
Department of Health and Human Services
VIC
1300 650 172
Department of Human Services
WA
1800 622 258
Department for Child Protection and Family Support
If you are worried about the possibility that a child you know may be at risk of sexual abuse, you can talk this over with an expert. Organisations listed below. Bravehearts
1800 272 831
www.bravehearts.org.au
ChildWise (helpline)
1800 991 099
www.childwise.net
Drummond Street Services (VIC only)
03 9663 6733
www.ds.org.au
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Enabling
and Protecting Proactive approaches to addressing the abuse and neglect of children and young people with disability CDA has published an issues paper, Enabling and Protecting: Proactive approaches to addressing the abuse and neglect of children and young people with disability.
Enabling and protec ting Proactive approaches to address ing the abuse and neglect of children and young people with disability.
Many families report to CDA that their children are subjected to limited opportunities, low expectations, exclusion, bullying, discrimination, assault, and violation of their human rights. This issues paper was written by Dr. Sally Robinson of the Centre for Children and Young People at Southern Cross University and was launched in 2012. The paper draws from recent research about abuse and neglect and from national policy approaches in child protection and disability to better understand the causes, experience and responses to maltreatment of children and young people with disability. A series of key concerns about abuse and neglect are raised to stimulate discussion and action which is in the interests of children and young people. Taking a rights informed approach, the paper focuses on building more effective national responses to children and young people who are maltreated.
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Issues paper Written by Dr Sally Robinson Centre for Children and Young People Southern Cross University For Children with Disability
Australia
Electronic copies of the issues paper are available for download from www.cda.org.au/cda-issue-papers Hard copies of the issues paper are available for free for young people and families. Organisations can purchase the report for $15. To obtain the report please contact the CDA office directly on (03) 9482 1130, 1800 222 660 or via email to info@cda.org.au
Belonging and Connection of School Students with Disability
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Children with Disability Australia Suite 3, 173 Queens Parade, PO Box 172 CLIFTON HILL VIC 3068 Phone 03 9482 1130 or 1800 222 660 (regional or interstate callers) Fax 03 9481 7833 Email info@cda.org.au www.facebook.com/CDISAUS 16
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