This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42361874
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Australia child abuse inquiry: Final recommendations released | Australia child abuse inquiry: Final recommendations released |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A five-year inquiry into child sexual abuse in Australia has released its final report, making more than 400 recommendations. | A five-year inquiry into child sexual abuse in Australia has released its final report, making more than 400 recommendations. |
| The royal commission uncovered harrowing evidence of sexual abuse within institutions, including churches, schools and sports clubs. | The royal commission uncovered harrowing evidence of sexual abuse within institutions, including churches, schools and sports clubs. |
| Since 2013, it has referred more than 2,500 allegations to authorities. | Since 2013, it has referred more than 2,500 allegations to authorities. |
| The final report, released on Friday, added 189 recommendations to 220 that had already been made public. | The final report, released on Friday, added 189 recommendations to 220 that had already been made public. |
| "Tens of thousands of children have been sexually abused in many Australian institutions. We will never know the true number," the report said. | |
| "It is not a case of a few 'rotten apples'. Society's major institutions have seriously failed." | "It is not a case of a few 'rotten apples'. Society's major institutions have seriously failed." |
| Religious ministers and school teachers were the most commonly reported perpetrators, the report said. | |
| The recommendations include: | The recommendations include: |
| The greatest number of alleged perpetrators and abused children were in Catholic institutions, the report said. | |
| The commission had previously recommended that Catholic clerics should face criminal charges if they fail to report sexual abuse disclosed to them during confession. | |
| Letters from survivors | |
| The royal commission held more than 8,000 private sessions with victims and gathered about 1,300 written accounts. | |
| After revealing their experiences, survivors were invited to write about the process of coming forward. | |
| They have now been compiled in a book - "Message to Australia" - which was described by one lawyer as "too heavy to lift". | |
| 'I can now pick up the pieces of my life' | |
| The royal commission, Australia's highest form of public inquiry, had been contacted by more than 15,000 people, including relatives and friends of abuse victims. | The royal commission, Australia's highest form of public inquiry, had been contacted by more than 15,000 people, including relatives and friends of abuse victims. |
| Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the commission had exposed "a national tragedy". | Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the commission had exposed "a national tragedy". |
| "It is an outstanding exercise in love, and I thank the commissioners and those who have the courage to tell their stories - thank you very much," he said on Friday. | "It is an outstanding exercise in love, and I thank the commissioners and those who have the courage to tell their stories - thank you very much," he said on Friday. |
| The proposals will now be considered by legislators. | The proposals will now be considered by legislators. |