The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was established in January 2013 by the Australian Government. The Royal Commission’s findings highlighted serious failings in the way institutions protect children and young people, and deal with reports of abuse when they occur.
The Royal Commission delivered 409 recommendations across 4 staged reports, of which 256 are for the Government of South Australia to action. The state government is committed to taking action to reduce the risk of institutional child sexual abuse and better support victims and survivors. On 14 June 2018, the state government released its response to the Royal Commission’s Final Report along with updates on three previous reports of the Royal Commission.
The Royal Commission into Institutional responses to Child Sexual Abuse was established in January 2013 by the Australian Government.
Six commissioners conducted the 5-year inquiry using a trauma-informed approach, including private sessions, public hearings and issues papers.
The inquiry had a national focus and looked at a range of institutional contexts, such as children in care, youth justice facilities, sporting and other clubs, religious organisations, schools and charities.
The Royal Commission presented its final report in December 2017, making a total of 409 recommendations through 4 staged reports. Of the 409 recommendations, 256 are for the Government of South Australia to action.
Release date | Report title | Total number of recommendations | Government of South Australia recommendations |
---|---|---|---|
July 2015 | Working with Children Checks Report | 36 | 34 |
September 2015 | Redress and Civil Litigation Report | 99 | 35 |
August 2017 | Criminal Justice Report | 85 | 83 |
December 2017 | Final Report | 189 | 104 |
Total | 409 | 256 |
On 14 June 2018, the Government of South Australia released its response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The government also published updates on the 3 previous reports of the Royal Commission.
Each recommendation that is the responsibility of the Government of South Australia has been allocated to a government agency. These agencies are responsible for implementing accepted recommendations and ensuring the intent of each recommendation is met at a local level.
Reports and responses
- Government of South Australia's response to the Final Report - June 2018 (PDF, 2.3 MB)
- Working with children checks report - government update - June 2018 (PDF, 51.8 KB)
- Criminal Justice Report - update to government response - June 2018 (PDF, 57.2 KB)
- Government response to the Criminal Justice Report - December 2017**
- Redress and Civil Litigation Report - government update - June 2018 (PDF, 46.6 KB)
**For a copy of this report, please contact the Attorney General's Department
The state government reports annually on its progress implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations. From 2020 onwards, annual reporting occurs under Safe and well: Supporting families, protecting children.
To see our latest report and learn more, visit: https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/child-protection-initiatives/system-reform/safe-and-well
See below for the latest status reported for all Royal Commission recommendations.