Published on Thursday, 15 February 2018 at 12:00:00 AM
The Town of Port Hedland has welcomed The Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s recent statement to Parliament regarding the final Royal Commission report into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The report, which contains 409 recommendations, outlines significant reforms including a national redress scheme, which will provide monetary payment, counselling and psychological services to survivors across the country.
More than 4000 individual institutions were reported as places where abuse has occurred.
Mayor Camilo Blanco welcomed the Prime Minister’s Statement to Parliament, and commitment to redress survivors, but called for tangible outcomes.
“This is not an isolated issue for any one location in Australia. It is endemic right across the country and has been taking place for decades.
“We can’t afford to see history repeated. As a town, we must work together to ensure that any abuse of our children or a community member is stopped in its tracks.
“The Prime Minister’s announcement of an apology this year is a positive step forward. What we need, however, is to focus on the underlying issues and processes that are causing this to happen in the first place.
“The community wants answers and expects fast and tangible outcomes.
“We will continue to lobby at all levels and urge the State Government to sign up to the scheme as soon as possible, as this will allow local institutions to join, as well.
Dependent on State Government involvement, survivors will be able to lodge applications for redress from 1 July 2018.
The Final report to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse can be accessed via: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/recommendations
Media Enquiries:
Laura Hawes
Senior Communications Officer
08 9158 9365
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