Children and young people must be involved in changes to make organisations safer for them, researchers who have prepared a report for the Tasmanian child sexual abuse commission of inquiry say.
Key points:
- The 'Take notice, believe us and act' report explores the views and experiences of 59 young people who have spent time in state institutions
- It found children's voices were not heard and it could have dramatic consequences
- The commission's final report and recommendations are due to be handed down in May
Child safety experts associate professor Tim Moore and emeritus professor Morag McArthur co-authored a report, 'Take notice, believe us and act', which explores the views and experiences of 59 young people who have spent time in state institutions — schools, hospitals, out-of-home care or youth detention.
"One of the limitations in conversations around children's voices is all about listening to children. Children and young people said, 'That's not enough, it has to be about change and we have to work together for that change,'" Dr Moore said.
"There can be no change if you're not speaking directly to victims and sufferers."
He said the young people involved in the research said their protection was something that impacted them every day, "and when adults muck it up, it impacts on us and has an enduring impact on our lives so please, please, please involve us".
The commission has heard harrowing evidence from people who alleged abuse at public schools and hospitals, while in foster care, or at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre. The state government has already announced some changes to the way those organisations safeguard children.
The commission's final report and recommendations are due to be handed down in May and the government has said it will implement those recommendations.
Tara, an 18-year-old who has experience in Tasmania's out-of-home care and state education systems, who spoke at the report launch on Friday, had a message for ministers and bureaucrats responsible for implementing changes.
"I'm sure that you are doing everything that you think is the best possible for young people, but ... if you actually asked them, they have some great things that they could tell you that you might not have even thought of," she said.
"Just ask the kids, ask them what they think would be right.
"I get that kids can't sometimes answer that question in the most adult or professional way, but they can answer it in their own way. It is really important to listen to them.
"That's the best source of information you're going to get around whether these policies and these things are working."
Voices of children have been 'silenced'
Bella (not hear real name) has also spent time in out-of-home care and spoke at the launch.
She said it was important to hear children's voices, and to give children time to raise concerns.
"I think there's so much insight that can be missed when the young people aren't further inquired [of]," she said.
Commission president Marcia Neave said children and young people often had profound insights.
"Children are very good at saying things that can cut through the nonsense, that bring you up short, that surprise you and that exhibit real insights," Ms Neave said.
"It's a matter of shame for our society that in the past, the voices of children who fear sexual abuse, who have been exposed to the possibility of abuse, or who've been abused, have been silenced or have not been heard."
Dr Moore said most of the young people involved in the research reported feeling safe for most of the time they spent in government-run institutions.
He did say, however, there were stories, particularly from young people who had been in youth detention, of being discouraged from raising concerns, or where young people reported backlash if they had raised or tried to raise concerns.