We are responding to the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into the Tasmanian Department of Education’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse to ensure we correct the wrongs of the past and put in place measures to safeguard and protect the children in our care.

• We have accepted all 20 recommendations in full and are working to implement them all.
• The findings are welcome and will provide us with practical steps to continue to improve.

• The content on this webpage may be distressing for some people. Information on where to seek support is at the bottom of the page.
• If you have information in relation to child sexual abuse, we strongly encourage you to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.
• Supporting children and young people is our number one priority. If your child or your family needs support in relation to this matter, please contact your school.

The Office of Safeguarding Children and Young People is leading the Department’s work to safeguard the rights of all children and young people to have an education, to be heard and to be kept safe from harm.

We are working to implement all 20 of the recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into the Tasmanian Department of Education’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Inquiry). These were released on 7 June 2021 and we have accepted the recommendations in full. 

Reading the Inquiry’s Final Report may cause distress — especially for parents and carers of current students, or victims/survivors of child sexual abuse. It may also raise individual issues and concerns for you or your family.

We welcome the findings of the Inquiry, which provide us with practical steps to continue to improve. This work will complement, not substitute, our ongoing implementation of the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Our commitment

We are deeply sorry for the past abuse in our schools, and we sincerely apologise to the victims and survivors. 

We are committed to making our schools safe by making our systems, policies, processes and procedures stronger. We are embedding a culture where child safety is everybody’s responsibility.

We recognise and regret our past failings. They have left a lasting and negative impact on the lives of victims and survivors — and for this we are truly sorry.

We will continue to work hard to correct the wrongs of the past and put in place measures to safeguard and protect the children in our care.

All children and young people have the right to an education, to be heard, and to be kept safe from harm. In improving the way we keep children safe, their views and voices will be front and centre. This is our greatest commitment and our highest priority.

More information can be found in the Inquiry Terms of Reference, the Frequently Asked Questions document and the Tasmanian Department of Education’s Responses to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse document.

Where to seek support

If this information causes you distress or raises questions or concerns, options for advice and support include:

Beyond Blue – Call 1300 224 636 or visit the Beyond Blue website 
Mental health and wellbeing organisation supporting those affected by anxiety, depression and suicide.    

1800 Respect – Call 1800 737 732 or visit the 1800 Respect website 
Support and information for anyone affected by sexual assault, or domestic or family violence.

Lifeline – Call 13 11 14 or visit the Lifeline website 
24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention.

Sexual Assault Support Service Inc (SASS) – Call 03 6231 1811 / 03 6231 0044 or visit the SASS website
Southern-based community service organisation providing support and information to survivors of sexual abuse.

Laurel House – Call 03 6334 2740 / 03 6431 9711 or visit the Laurel House website
Northern and north-western-based sexual abuse and sexual assault support service.

Knowmore – Call 1800 605 762 or visit the Knowmore website 
Free legal advice for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

Employee Assistance Program
Department for Education, Children and Young People staff can access the Employee Assistance Program, Newport & Wildman, by phone on 1800 650 204 or by email at admin@newportwildman.com.au