Victim and survivors have today helped to break ground on the National Memorial for Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse in Canberra.
The National Memorial will provide victims and survivors a permanent place of remembrance, reflection, truth, healing and hope. It is also intended to raise community awareness of historical and contemporary institutional child sexual abuse in Australia.
Located on the Acton Peninsula in Canberra, the site was chosen for its peaceful surroundings, accessibility and prominence within the nation’s capital.
Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek turned the first sod for the memorial today, alongside Member for Canberra Alicia Payne and members of the National Memorial Advisory Group.
Landscaping works are scheduled to begin after the sod-turning, with the National Memorial expected to be completed in 2027.
The National Memorial’s design was informed by advice from the National Memorial Advisory Group, an important body of survivors, their families, advocates, and other relevant experts.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended a national memorial to provide a lasting place of recognition, remembrance and reflection for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in institutional settings.
Support is available 24/7 for anyone who is experiencing emotional distress on the National Redress Scheme website.
More information about the National Memorial is available on the Department of Social Services website.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek:
“This memorial recognises the courage, strength and resilience of victims and survivors.
"I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to members of the National Memorial Advisory Group for their contributions in the development of this important memorial.
"It’s a reminder for all Australians that children have a right to be safe and free from abuse, and we must do all we can to protect children.
"We can’t erase the injustice that has been committed against victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, but we must continue to do all we can to support the healing and recovery of those who have been harmed.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Canberra, Alicia Payne:
"Child sexual abuse is an incredibly difficult subject to talk about, but one we should never resile from - it demands our honesty, our attention and our willingness to sit with discomfort, because silence has too often been part of the harm itself.
"We owe it to victims, survivors, their families and those who support them to acknowledge their pain and support their journey towards healing.
"This memorial will serve as a powerful reminder of past wrongs, and as a place to acknowledge the harm and pain inflicted because of these failings, and it is fitting that this memorial will be in our national capital on Ngunnawal land where Australians from all over our country meet."