Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Ethan James

Abuse survivors hope 'watershed' report sparks reform

Abuse survivor Tiffany Skeggs says she is concerned about how the government will manage reform. (Loic Le Guilly/AAP PHOTOS)

Survivors and their families have expressed hope and frustration after the public release of a final report of a "watershed" inquiry into child sexual abuse in Tasmanian institutions.

The inquiry, which was called in 2020, on Tuesday found grave failings in how state governments investigated complaints and instances of abuse.

It delivered 75 findings and 191 recommendations for reform, which the state government has pledged to adopt, in a 3500-page report.

TIffany Skeggs was abused by Launceston General Hospital nurse James Geoffrey Griffin, who took his life in 2019 after being charged with multiple child sexual offences.

The inquiry found the hospital failed to act on a disclosure made against Griffin in 2011 or 2012 and Tasmania Police failed to investigate credible Australia Federal Police intel in 2015.

Ms Skeggs said she was concerned about how the government would manage reform.

"We've done everything in our power that we can do. Now we have to put our faith and trust in the same people that allowed and enabled us to be in this position to start with," she said.

"(We) still only hear phrases like 'we will implement', and 'we will get to this', as opposed to 'we have', or 'we are'.

"The state ... (has) given us no reason whatsoever, no meaningful or tangible ways to show that they actually are committed to safeguarding children moving forward."

Anne Duncan's daughter Zoe, who died in 2017 aged 28, was sexually abused by a doctor in the Launceston General Hospital.

Mrs Duncan was hopeful of change.

"This really is a watershed (moment) in Tasmanian history," she said.

"We can look back on this in 100 years and say, 'this is where it changed, this is where it stopped'."

Katrina Munting, who was abused as a teenager by a teacher at her high school, urged the government to make cultural change.

"It's too late once we have been harmed. We live with that daily for the rest of our lives and it doesn't go away," she said.

"I'm still grieving for little me."

The government has pledged to provide a full response to the inquiry's report and recommendations in December.

The inquiry was launched after allegations against Griffin were aired in a podcast.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.