Child abuse inquiry’s final findings to be revealed

Ethan James | September 26, 2023

The final report of an inquiry into child sexual abuse in Tasmanian government-run institutions will be made public after investigations spanning years.

A commission of inquiry has focused on responses to abuse allegations at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre and Launceston General Hospital, in public schools and out-of-home care.

The 3500-page report, which includes 75 findings and 191 recommendations, will be tabled in state parliament on Tuesday.

The inquiry has referred more than 100 people to police and child protection authorities, with 10 facing criminal charges.

Commission president Marcia Neave AO believes the state government has too often responded inadequately to allegations or instances of child sexual abuse.

She said while there have been “pockets” of good practice this was too often a result of initiative of individuals rather than something encouraged by the broader system.

“More commonly, institutions did not recognise child sexual abuse for what it was and failed to act decisively to manage risks and investigate complaints,” Ms Neave said in August during her closing address.

“Sometimes this was due to a lack of guidance and direction … it was also due to ignorance, inertia and a desire to protect reputational interests.” 

The inquiry was called in 2020 after abuse allegations against Ashley Youth Detention Centre workers and Launceston General Hospital nurse James Geoffrey Griffin were aired.

Griffin, who worked on the hospital’s pediatric ward for almost 20 years, took his own life in late 2019 after being charged with multiple child sexual abuse offences.

The inquiry heard complaints against Griffin were not properly investigated by the hospital and police.

Ms Neave and other commissioners have called for the detention centre, which has operated in  Tasmania’s northwest for about two decades, to be closed as a matter of urgency.

Commissioner Leah Bromfield described youth detention as being stuck in the past with outdated views that have proven harmful rather than rehabilitative.

The government in 2021 pledged to close the centre by the end of 2024, but that deadline is expected to be pushed back.

The government has previously committed to adopting the report’s recommendations. 

It will respond to the report on Tuesday and provide a more detailed response in December.

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