Official acknowledgments and content warning
Acknowledgement of First Peoples
The Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools proudly acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners and custodians of the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.
We acknowledge the continuing leadership of First Nations communities in striving to develop a shared understanding of the impacts of inequality and disadvantage, as well as the enduring effects of colonisation. We also acknowledge the profound history of healing approaches within First Nations communities that seek to address the impacts of trauma by embracing social, emotional, physical, cultural and spiritual dimensions of health and wellbeing.
Acknowledgement of victim-survivors of historical child sexual abuse
We recognise and honour the remarkable strength, resilience and courage of all victim-survivors, secondary victims and communities affected by historical child sexual abuse. We extend our gratitude to everyone who has shared their personal experiences and stories with us. Each and every contribution, whether it was private or public, has been integral to our work and the development of our findings and recommendations. We also acknowledge that the establishment of this Board of Inquiry was borne of the advocacy of victim-survivors — people who worked to ensure that others were given the opportunity to share their stories.
A note on content
The Board of Inquiry acknowledges that this report contains sensitive information and views about allegations of child sexual abuse that may be distressing to read, particularly for those individuals whose experiences are directly or indirectly referenced. Please take care of yourself and read this report with consideration to your own wellbeing.
We also wish to advise First Nations readers that information in this report may have been provided by or may refer to First Nations people who have died.
If you or someone you know needs support, the following services are available:
- 1800 RESPECT, call 1800 737 732
24-hour sexual assault and domestic violence support - Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria, call 1800 806 292
24-hour support for people who have experienced sexual assault - 13 YARN, call 13 92 76
24-hour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support - Beyond Blue, call 1300 224 636
24-hour mental health support - Lifeline, call 13 11 14
24-hour crisis support.
If you are in a situation that is harmful or life-threatening, contact emergency services immediately on triple zero (000).
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