The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse today released its findings into health care providers and regulators.

During the public hearing in 2015, the Commission examined a claim of child sexual assault by an RCH patient, AWI, against a volunteer at the hospital in the 1980s.

In response to today’s findings, our CEO Christine Kilpatrick said:

As an institution that cares for children we are grateful to the Royal Commission for the contribution it has made to child wellbeing through its historically significant work.

In response to being called to present to the Commission, we further reviewed and strengthened all practices at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) pertaining to the safety, protection and welfare of children to give us, and our community, confidence that all children in our care are safe. From the testimony of our former patient AWI we have learned that only eternal vigilance, at the highest level and by every member of our staff, will provide this comfort.

We honour AWI and the many other brave victims of child sexual abuse who told their stories to the Commission, and hope that each of them has found some solace in this process. We hold this hope, in particular, for AWI and her family.

The Royal Commission report can be found here. If you, your child or a member of your family has questions about these matters, please let us know so that we can work together to address your concerns. In the first instance, you can write to us at consumer.liaison@rch.org.au

If you or someone you know has experienced child sexual abuse in any institutional context, we encourage you contact the Victorian Police Sano Task Force on 1800 110 007 or via email: sanotaskforce@police.vic.gov.au

If you want to report a child in immediate risk or danger of sexual abuse please call Triple Zero (000) or contact your local police station.