The Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools (the Inquiry) will hold its first public hearings from Monday 23 October to Thursday 26 October 2023 at the Yoorrook Justice Commission in Collingwood.
To date, 24 Victorian Government schools have been identified within the scope of the Inquiry:
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In the first week of public hearings, Chair, Kathleen Foley SC will hear from victim-survivors who experienced child sexual abuse by staff at Beaumaris Primary School in the 1960s and 1970s, and other government schools where these same staff members were employed. Victim-survivors’ evidence will be heard directly and through Counsel Assisting.
The first week of public hearings will focus on understanding the effects of historical child sexual abuse in government schools, and the individual and shared experiences of victim-survivors, secondary victims and impacted community members.
The hearings will be an opportunity for victim-survivors and their families, friends and supporters to have their experiences publicly recorded and acknowledged.
The Inquiry continues to encourage any victim-survivors of sexual abuse at Victorian government schools to contact the Inquiry or make a submission relating to the Terms of Reference.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings in person or watch the webstream on the Inquiry’s website.
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