institutional sexual abuse

As Australia grapples with its broken childcare system, a newfly formulated six point plan lays out a plan for legal reform.

The ABC’s recent investigation into child sexual abuse within Australian childcare centres has reignited public outrage — and forced a difficult legal question – if the overwhelming majority of offenders are men, could it ever be lawful to prefer, or even restrict, employment in childcare to women?

A major class action against the Commonwealth alleges that decades of abuse within the Australian Defence Force were the result of systemic cultural failures not isolated misconduct. The litigation argues that the ADF breached its duty to protect members from forseeable harm, and has the potential to reshape the landscape of institutional accountability within Australia.

The Catholic Church grapples with decades of abuse scandals. Pope Leo XIV’s reforms and Australia’s legal response signal a new era of accountability and survivor-led change.

The National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse faces a 2028 sunset with rising application backlogs. Survivors confront delays, trauma, and complex processes, prompting calls from legal advocates for a five-year extension to ensure justice.

We are seeking information from former students, staff, and community members of Holy Name Catholic School, Carlisle, WA, in the 1980s who recall Ms. M. Brough. Even small recollections could support Survivors and assist ongoing investigations.

The ACT proposes broader organisational liability for child abuse after Bird v DP. This Q&A explains what’s changing, why survivors’ groups support reform, why Scouts ACT is concerned, and what these changes could mean for community organisations and survivors.

Former Hobart teacher Keith Athol Bates-Willie has been found guilty on 14 charges of child sexual abuse spanning decades. We explain the verdict, key evidence, defence arguments, and what to expect as the Tasmanian Supreme Court prepares for sentencing.

The arrests of Joshua Brown and David James are indicative of an alarming trend within Australia’s childcare industry elucidating the need for urgent reform.