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Purple flowers

Message to Australia

Gave those who bravely told their story to the Royal Commission an opportunity to share a message about their experience and hopes for creating a safer future for children.
Group photo of Judges and Commissioners

Final report

The Royal Commission's final report has been released.

The final sitting

The Royal Commission held its final sitting on 14 December to publicly mark the conclusion of the five-year inquiry.
Purple flowers

Message to Australia

Gave those who bravely told their story to the Royal Commission an opportunity to share a message about their experience and hopes for creating a safer future for children.
Group photo of Judges and Commissioners

Final report

The Royal Commission's final report has been released.

Fast facts

42,041
Calls handled
25,964
Letters & emails received
8,013
Private sessions held
2,575
Referrals to authorities (including police)

Commissioners

Headshot of The Hon. Justice Peter McClellan AM

The Hon. Justice
Peter McClellan AM

Headshot of Justice Jennifer Coate

The Hon. Justice
Jennifer Coate

Headshot of Commissioner Bob Atkinson AO APM

Commissioner
Bob Atkinson AO APM

Headshot of Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM

Commissioner
Robert Fitzgerald AM

Headshot of Commissioner Helen Milroy

Commissioner
Helen Milroy

Headshot of Commissioner Andrew Murray

Commissioner
Andrew Murray

Timeline

2012

Royal Commission announced
November 2012
Julia Gillard, ex-Prime Minister, announces the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

2013

Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth) amended
March 2013
Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth) was amended to allow for private sessions, the first private session was held on 7 May 2013 in Sydney.
Public hearings commence
April 2013
The first public hearing was held at the County Court of Victoria, since then 57 public hearings were conducted.
First issue paper released
June 2013
Individuals and organisations were invited to contribute responses to issues raised.

2014

First roundtable held
April 2014
Roundtables enable representatives, regulators, policy experts, academics, survivors and advocacy groups to discuss key...
First case study report released
April 2014
The Report into Case Study No. 1: The response of institutions to the conduct of Steven Larkins, was released.
Interim report released
June 2014
The report outlined why we are here, what we have done, what we are learning and what we need to do next.
Royal Commission gets extended
September 2014
The Australian Government announced its decision to extend the Royal Commission until 15 December 2017.

2015

First consultation paper released
January 2015
Individuals and organisations were invited to contribute responses through consultations papers.
Working With Children Checks report released
August 2015
This report contains the Royal Commission’s final recommendations on Working With Children Checks.
Redress and civil litigation report released
September 2015
This report contains the Royal Commission’s final recommendations on redress and civil litigation.

2016

Child safe organisation elements published
July 2016
Making institutions child safe through examining the key elements to encourage child safe standards.

2017

Criminal justice report released
August 2017
This report contains the Royal Commission’s final recommendations on the response of the criminal justice system to victims of institutional CSA.
Message to Australia
December 2017
A book that gave people an opportunity to share a message about their experience and hopes for creating a safer future for children.
The Final Report
December 2017
This report was presented to the Governor-General, detailing the culmination of a five year inquiry into institutional responses...
Sunset sky on a beach
Message to Australia enabled people who have bravely shared their stories to the Royal Commission to send a short message to the Australian community.
The text 'Hugh' with a blurred floral background
Read stories of people who have shared their experience of abuse. Content warning: some material is confronting and disturbing.
Close up of older man looking out at the sky
More than 8000 people shared their stories in person in a private session with a Commissioner of the Royal Commission.

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