A independent truth-telling forum for victim-survivors of historical child sexual abuse in all Victorian Government schools has been established.
Angela Connors has been appointed as chair the Forum for Truth and Recognition which will now begin a systemic review into historical child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools and certain other schools prior to the year 2000.
Ms Connors has extensive experience across the public service, not-for-profit and consulting sectors and has led work supporting vulnerable and diverse cohorts as executive director, client services at Life Without Border.
The forum will share the experiences of victim-survivors and contribute to the public record in a trauma-informed way to support healing and inform future action in response to Recommendation Three of the Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools.
A final report will be provided to the state government in May 2026.
“The Board of Inquiry heard that, while the Beaumaris cluster of abuse was particularly insidious, it was not isolated,” said Premier Jacinta Allen in announcing the truth-telling forum.
“It’s on us to make sure these horrific acts never happen again.”
“We can’t undo the harm that was caused, but understanding the past abuse and institutional failures is essential to preventing it from ever happening again,” added Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll.
In parallel, the education department has begun a systemic review into the failings across the government school system over the same period which will examine how historical child sexual abuse matters were treated and examine patterns of offending and institutional failings.
Julia Griffith PSM has been appointed to act as independent monitor of the review, which will be handed to the education minister by March 31 in 2026.
