We are deeply sorry for the past abuse of children and young people in our care, and we sincerely apologise to the those affected by child sexual abuse.
We recognise and regret our past failings. They have left a lasting and negative impact on the lives of those affected by child sexual abuse — and for this we are truly sorry.
We will continue to work hard to correct the wrongs of the past and put in place measures to safeguard and protect the children in our care.
We are committed to making the children and young people we care for safe by making our systems and guidance stronger. We are embedding a culture where child safety is everybody’s responsibility.
All children and young people have the right to an education, to be heard, and to be kept safe from harm. In improving the way we keep children safe, their views and voices will be front and centre.
This is our greatest commitment and our highest priority.
Where to seek support
Some of the information on this page may be confronting. There is help available if any of this content raises issues for you or someone around you.
Beyond Blue – Call 1300 224 636 or visit the Beyond Blue website
Mental health and wellbeing organisation supporting those affected by anxiety, depression and suicide.
1800 Respect – Call 1800 737 732 or visit the 1800 Respect website
Support and information for anyone affected by sexual assault, or domestic or family violence.
Lifeline – Call 13 11 14 or visit the Lifeline website
24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention.
Sexual Assault Support Service Inc (SASS) – Call 03 6231 1811 / 03 6231 0044 or visit the SASS website
Southern-based community service organisation providing support and information to survivors of sexual abuse.
Laurel House – Call 03 6334 2740 / 03 6431 9711 or visit the Laurel House website
Northern and north-western-based sexual abuse and sexual assault support service.
Knowmore – Call 1800 605 762 or visit the Knowmore website
Free legal advice for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.
Employee Assistance Program
Department for Education, Children and Young People staff can access the Employee Assistance Program, Newport & Wildman, by phone on 1800 650 204 or by email at admin@newportwildman.com.au
The Tasmanian Government has provided additional resources to the Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS) and Laurel House to provide support to those affected by child sexual abuse of institutional child sexual abuse in Tasmania or Tasmanian State Service employees affected.
Tasmanian Government Commission of Inquiry
The final report from the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings will be publicly released on the Tuesday 26th of September 2023.
To find the latest information relating to the inquiry please visit www.keepingchildrensafe.tas.gov.au
Independent Inquiry into the Department of Education’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
We are responding to the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into the Tasmanian Department of Education’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse to ensure we correct the wrongs of the past and put in place measures to safeguard and protect the children in our care.
The Inquiry released its recommendations on 7 June 2021. We have accepted all 20 recommendations in full and are working to implement them all.
We welcome the findings of the Inquiry, which provide us with practical steps to continue to improve.
This work will complement, not substitute, our ongoing implementation of the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
More information about this Inquiry can be found in the:
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
We are fully committed to making children and young people in our care safe. We are deeply sorry for the past abuse of children in our care, and apologise to those affected by child sexual abuse. We commit to making our schools safe and take the safety of children and young people seriously.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (RCIRCSA) released its final report in December 2017 and the Tasmanian response was tabled in Parliament in June 2018.
We have accepted all 23 education-related recommendations and are working to address them all to ensure we are an exemplary child safe organisation.
The recommendations provide us with a nationally consistent approach to improving our practices and compliments the work of the Office of Safeguarding Children and Young People to safeguard the rights of all children and young people to have an education, to be heard, and to be kept safe from harm.
For more information on RCIRCSA, read the Progress Report on the RCIRCSA Recommendations Implementation.
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