‘Harrowing’: Tasmanian Child Abuse Commission Calls For Change

Commission president says Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre should be shut down

A child is seen at the Alice Springs Women's Shelter, in Australia, on May 27, 2016. AAP Image/Dan Peled

Tasmania’s Child Sexual Abuse Commission has called for better safeguards to identify and deal with child sexual abuse cases when they arise.

The Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings held its closing hearing in Hobart on Aug. 30.

The independent Commission was established on March 15, 2021. Since then, it has conducted over 150 consultations, received more than 95,000 documents, and held nine weeks of hearings with Commission President Marcia Neave described the evidence as “harrowing.”

The Commission identified several changes required at the systems level and across relevant government departments and agencies to make institutions safer for Tasmania’s children and young people.

Ms. Neave said the amendments included better-coordinating investigations into allegations of child sexual abuse and also an increase in resources.

Thirdly, the Commission called for safer and more accessible avenues for people to raise concerns about abuse.

She said while a focus on preventing institutional child sexual abuse was identified, even as the inquiry drew to a close, the Commission continued to “hear examples of poor systems, practices, and cultures within government institutions.”

“Although we believe that children are now safer in Tasmanian government institutions than in the past, more work needs to be done,” she said.

Tasmanian Premier Says Work is Underway

In response, Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said his government had already embarked on a reform agenda to improve the prosecution of sexual offences.

“To hold people to account for failing to protect children and to provide better access to justice for those affected by sexual violence,” he said.

Tasmania’s Premier Jeremy Rockliff at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on June 17, 2022. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“We took this action to learn from the past, ensure that our mistakes and failings are never repeated, and better protect Tasmania’s children and young people into the future.”

Mr. Rockliff assured the public the government would respond to the recommendations, promising “an initial response to the recommendations” before a “more detailed government response” is released prior to the end of the year.

“The government’s response will include ensuring that we work with victim-survivors and that there are appropriate independent and multipartisan arrangements for tracking and monitoring our commitments,” he said.

The Commission investigated responses to child sexual abuse in public schools, Launceston General Hospital, Ashley Youth Detention Centre, and out-of-home care.

Testimonials from victim-survivors, members of their families and communities, teachers, school counsellors, youth workers, health professionals, police officers, and sexual assault counsellors were presented as evidence.

“To tell us what was working well in Tasmanian government institutions, what was not working, and what changes needed to be made,” Ms. Neave said.

Troubled Ashley Youth Detention Centre

Ms. Neave said Tasmania’s Ashley Youth Detention Centre (AYDC) should be shut down immediately.

On Aug. 27, Children and Young People Tasmania Commissioner Leanne McLean called on the government to “urgently establish a rapid response crisis team at AYDC,” including a call for “specialist leadership skills and child-safe practitioner expertise.”

Ms. McLean said the closure of AYDC and the transition to a new detention model “cannot be achieved in a manner that promotes the rights and wellbeing of children and young people overnight.”

“However, the Tasmanian government’s response to the immediate appalling conditions at Ashley remains disproportionate to the level of impact on the safety and wellbeing of young people currently detained there.”

Mr. Rockliff maintained, however, that significant reform had occurred at the AYDC in recent years.

“We have established better safeguards and protections, including CCTV technology and a new personal searches policy. The centre also has strong independent oversight mechanisms, including through the Custodial Inspector and the Commissioner for Children and Young People,” he said.

However, Ms. McLean said she was also concerned that older juveniles might be sent to the adult Risdon Prison.

Risdon Prison Complex is an Australian medium to maximum security prison for males in Risdon Vale near Hobart, Tasmania.

“Transferring the children currently detained under the Youth Justice Act 1997 to an adult custodial facility is not an acceptable response,” Ms. McLean said.

The inquiry’s final report was handed over on Aug. 31 and comprises eight volumes, 75 findings, and 191 recommendations. A copy of the report will be tabled in state Parliament and made publicly available.

“Many of our findings and recommendations have the potential to be relevant beyond Tasmania and offer lessons for other Australian states and territories,” Ms. Neave said.