Royal Commission into sex abuse finds Australia ‘seriously failed’ children and will never know full extent of ‘national tragedy’
In total, more than 4,000 institutions were accused of abuse, with many of them Catholic-managed facilities
Australian institutions “seriously failed” children in their care over decades with tens of thousands sexually abused, the final report from a five-year inquiry said on Friday, calling it a “national tragedy”.
The government ordered the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2012 after a decade of pressure to investigate widespread allegations across the country.
The commission was contacted by more than 15,000 survivors who detailed claims of child abuse involving churches, orphanages, sporting clubs, youth groups and schools, often dating back decades.
It heard horrific stories during often confronting and emotionally exhausting public and private hearings.
In total, more than 4,000 institutions were accused of abuse, with many of them Catholic-managed facilities.
“Tens of thousands of children have been sexually abused in many Australian institutions. We will never know the true number,” the final report said, making hundreds of recommendations to improve children’s safety and make it harder for paedophiles to operate unpunished.