Latest News
POSTED 22-06-2020
Forgotten Australians rewrite childhood trauma through power of storytelling
A storytelling project helps participants re-imagine their past and invent new ways to see their stories.
It is funded by a Queensland Government taskforce set up to help those who have experienced institutionalised child sexual abuse and have been through the National Redress Scheme.
Since then-prime minister Kevin Rudd made an apology more than 10 years ago, many Forgotten Australians have been trying to rebuild their lives and come to terms with traumatic childhoods.
POSTED 24-10-2019
Songs of Justice Concert on 15 October 2019 at QPAC
Such a Brilliant event it was!!!
It was a momentous evening, that showed the power of music and voice to transform and heal.
Please click on the link below to see what some of those involved – including Dan Sultan, Leah Cotterell and Mundy-Turner – had to say about the concert’s significance.
POSTED 23-10-2019
It’s now easier for child abuse survivors to sue institutions
The Palaszczuk Government has passed major reforms to make it easier for the survivors of all kinds of child abuse to sue the institutions where the offences occurred.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said the amendments to the Civil Liability and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2018 extends the definition of abuse to include serious physical and psychological abuse, as well as sexual abuse.
POSTED 13-03-2019
New AFA Facebook page
Our friends at Alliance for Forgotten Australians (AFA) have established a New Facebook Page.
POSTED 23-10-2018
Live coverage of the National Apology to victims of institutional child sexual abuse
Hundreds of survivors of child sexual abuse gathered at Parliament House for an apology from the Prime Minister.
View the Apology (on Facebook).
POSTED 11-09-2018
National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse
The National Apology, to be delivered at Parliament House in Canberra, will acknowledge and apologise for the appalling abuse endured by vulnerable children, by the very people that were supposed to care for them, leaving immeasurable and lasting damage.
The National Apology will pay tribute to victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, many of whom have so bravely shared their stories through the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, with the aim of ensuring the shameful practices are never repeated in the future.
POSTED 20-06-2018
National Redress Scheme
The Queensland Government will join the National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.
The National Redress Scheme will provide redress to people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse and will run for 10 years. There are rules about who can apply.
Our participation in the National Scheme–anticipated to begin towards the end of 2018–will mean that people who have experienced child sexual abuse while in the care of the Queensland Government may be eligible for redress.
Below are the useful links for information on the National Redress Scheme.
National Redress Scheme fact sheet (DOC)
Please click here for the weblink
National Redress Scheme Website
Queensland Government Media Statement, 19 September 2018
For more information please contact Lotus Place-07 3347 8500
POSTED 01-06-2018
First International Award for Find & Connect
We are very proud to announce that we are the recipients of the Society of American Archivists Philip M. Hamer and Elizabeth Hamer Kegan Award, and the only successful project outside of the US and Canada to win this prestigious prize.
This award is for organisations that have increased public awareness of a specific body of documents through compilation, transcription, exhibition, or public presentation.
POSTED 30-04-2018
$500 Million for Survivors of Child Sex Abuse
Queensland will pay its share to survivors of sexual abuse in government run institutions.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was an important milestone acknowledging the suffering of those abused in care. “Although no amount of money can return a lost childhood it is important that we acknowledge what these victims have been through,” the Premier said.
Queensland Government Joint Media Statement, 30 April 2018
View Historical Abuse Network (HAN) 2015 Framework For Justice
POSTED 27-03-2018
Pell's lawyer accuses journalist of 'poisoning the public's mind'
On Tuesday, ABC journalist Louise Milligan was questioned by Cardinal Pell's high-profile defence barrister Robert Richter, QC, who accused her of not conducting proper checks for a story about his client's alleged offences that aired on the 7.30 program.
POSTED 20-03-2018
Cardinal George Pell could face fresh charges after new witness statement emerges
Cardinal George Pell may face fresh charges after a sensational development during his committal hearing.
The Melbourne Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday that a witness, who was due to face cross examination, had supplied a new statement to police on Monday evening.
POSTED 19-03-2018
ACT child sex abuse survivors to have access to national redress scheme
Survivors of child sexual abuse in institutions working under the ACT government will be eligible for support after the territory moved to opt into a new national redress scheme.
The scheme, operating from July 1, will provide access to counselling and psychological services, payments of up to $150,000, and direct responses from the institution where the abuse occurred.
POSTED 15-03-2018
Reformers urge Australian bishops to release report on child sexual abuse royal commission
Reform group Catholics for Renewal and prominent Catholic author Paul Collins say public release of the Truth Justice and Healing Council’s royal commission assessment report, delivered to bishops last week, is a test of whether Australia’s bishops have learnt the lessons of the royal commission and are prepared to include lay Catholics in decision-making.
POSTED 14-03-2018
Child sex abuse survivors given 'unrealistic' deadline for compensation
Survivors of child abuse will face an “especially unrealistic” deadline to decide whether to accept offers of compensation under the government’s redress scheme, lawyers and child protection advocates have warned.
The redress scheme legislation before parliament gives survivors 90 days to decide on a compensation offer once it is made by a church or institution.
POSTED 13-03-2018
Political row over redress scheme for child sexual abuse
The federal government has curbed the power of the Senate to overhaul a new scheme that offers redress for victims of child sexual abuse, setting up a flashpoint over plans to cap compensation claims at $150,000 for each person.
POSTED 07-03-2018
DNA match brings Paddy Cannon's 60-year search for his family to an end
Paddy has finally found his family — all 67 of them: The Derrigs of County Mayo, north-west Ireland.
"It was a shock for them and shock for me, but a happy shock," he told 7.30.
A few years ago, he enlisted the aid of the charity, Child Migrants Trust, which helped to put his DNA on an international database.
It was a game-changer.
POSTED 27-02-2018
Statement regarding reporting in Courier Mail, 27 February 2018
The Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod is committed to doing all that we can to provide fair, consistent and compassionate redress for people who were sexually abused as children in our care. This has been the unwavering commitment of the church as a response to the Royal Commission and our position will not be changing.
Click here for full statement:ucaqld.com.au, 27 February 2018
POSTED 24-02-2018
Sexual abuse survivors in Victoria to be able to sue churches as Government moves to end 'Ellis defence'
Survivors of sexual abuse will soon be able to sue churches in Victoria, as the State Government moves to close a legal loophole.
Currently, laws in the state prevent victims from being able to take legal action against some non-incorporated organisations, like churches.
