Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

More Support Services For Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Jenny Macklin MP
    Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
    Minister for Disability Reform

  • Julie Collins MP
    Minister for Housing and Homelessness
    Minister for Community Services
    Minister for the Status of Women
    Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development

A $45 million funding injection from the Australian Government will ensure more support services are available to survivors of child sexual abuse who take part in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin and Minister for Community Services Julie Collins today announced 28 organisations that will deliver a range of community-based support services across Australia.

“The Australian Government understands the importance of ensuring that survivors of child sexual abuse and affected family members are supported to participate in the Royal Commission,” Ms Macklin said.

“It is vital there is support available to them before, during and after their engagement with the Commission.”

Ms Collins said the announcement follows an open selection process by the Australian Government.

“The organisations chosen have considerable experience and expertise and will ensure people have flexibility and choice in the types of support they can access,” Ms Collins said.

“For many people, talking about their experiences will be very traumatic and we want to ensure a broad range of specialist support services are readily available to them.”

“This will include trauma-informed counselling as well as support, information and advice about what to expect from the process of engaging with the Royal Commission.

“This Government is committed to doing everything it can to make sure that what happened to children in the past is never allowed to happen again.”

The Labor Government has already committed $62.4 million for legal support mechanisms for the financial years 2013-14 to 2015-16, in addition to the specialist support services.

The Royal Commission, led by Justice Peter McClellan AM, is inquiring into how institutions with a responsibility for children have managed and responded to allegations and instances of child sexual abuse and related matters.

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.

Further information about Royal Commission support services is available at www.fahcsia.gov.au, or by emailing rcsupportservices@fahcsia.gov.au.

Location Organisation Funding amount until 2015-16

National

Adults Surviving Child Abuse

$1,850,000

National

Australian Childhood Trauma Group

$900,000

National

Bravehearts Pty Ltd

$5,100,000

National

Care Leavers Australia Network

$1,200,000

National

Child Migrants Trust

$600,000

National

Child Wise

$1,100,000

National

Lighthouse Foundation – Training

$900,000

National

Mental Health Professionals Network

$60,000

National

NSW Rape Crisis Centre

$2,900,000

National

On the Line Australia Inc

$600,000

ACT

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre

$1,050,000

NSW

Interrelate Family Centres

$1,800,000

NSW

Relationships Australia NSW

$2,600,000

NSW

The Womens Cottage

$330,000

NT

Relationships Australia NT

$ 650,000

QLD

Anglicare SE Queensland

$715,000

QLD

Centre Against Sexual Violence

$345,000

QLD

Micah Projects Inc

$1,500,000

QLD

Relationships Australia QLD

$2,100,000

SA

Relationships Australia South Australia Health Promotion Services

$1,600,000

SA

Victim Support Service Incorporated

$1,050,000

TAS

Relationships Australia Tasmania

$750,000

TAS

Sexual Assault Support Service Inc. (Tasmanian federation)

$1,200,000

VIC

Berry Street Victoria

$600,000

VIC

Drummond St Services Inc

$1,600,000

VIC

Relationships Australia VIC

$1,100,000

WA

Anglicare WA Incorporated

$900,000

WA

Relationships Australia WA

$2,600,000