News

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has commenced its second public hearing into The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory.

This hearing will bring to light awful abuse that was perpetrated against children. The Salvation Army feels deep sadness for every instance of child sexual abuse inflicted on children in our care. We are grieved that such things happened.

The Salvation Army sincerely apologises to the survivors of abuse, their families, and the Australian community. The Salvation Army acknowledges that every instance of abuse inflicted on children in our care was a failure of the greatest magnitude.

For more than 10 years, The Salvation Army has been receiving and responding to notifications of abuse from former residents. The Salvation Army regularly makes payments, assists with counselling costs, and gives personal apologies to survivors.

Today's Salvation Army is an immeasurably safer environment than were those children's homes. Strong and up-to-date policies are in place to protect children. The Salvation Army is commissioning an independent review of all our child safety practices.

The Salvation Army trusts that this hearing will bring a sense of justice to many survivors.

The Salvation Army welcomes the recommendations from the Royal Commission. We hope that through these recommendations we can further improve the way we assist survivors of abuse and further protect children in our care today.

Representatives of The Salvation Army will once again appear before the Royal Commission to answer questions.

During the early phase of the second hearing, it is anticipated that survivors of abuse will share their experiences with the Royal Commission. During this phase, as with the previous hearing, it will be our role to listen.