ACT Government action
ACT Government will prioritise collaboration with other jurisdictions to progress a new National Framework on Child Safety, which will apply the National Principles in the development of child safe institutions and in the development of government policies, programs, services and interventions
2018ACT Government action
ACT Government will Amend the ACT’s Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Scheme of background checks, to strengthen protections for vulnerable Canberrans, while reducing the regulatory burden of the Scheme on employers, community organisations and Access Canberra
2018ACT Government action
ACT Government releases its first annual progress report
Dec 2018ACT Government action
Progressed legislative amendments of the Education Act 2004 and the ACT Teacher Quality Institute Act 2010, to improve child safety and information sharing
Nov 2018ACT Government action
ACT Government introduces the Royal Commission Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 including changes to sentencing provisions and failure to protect offence
Oct 2018ACT Government action
ACT Government, in partnership with the Public Advocate and Children & Young People Commissioner, consults with stakeholders about the implementation of Child Safe Standards
Oct 2018ACT Government action
ACT Government ends the ability to use the ‘Ellis defence’ in the ACT with the Civil Law (Wrongs) (Child Abuse Claims Against Unincorporated Bodies) Act 2018, to ensure survivors are able to take civil action against institutions, regardless of the legal structure of the institution
Aug 2018ACT Government action
ACT Government consults with stakeholders and community members on a Charter of Rights for Victims of Crime
Jun - Aug 2018ACT Government action
ACT Government expands the ACT Reportable Conduct Scheme to include religious institutions providing pastoral care and religious instruction with transitional arrangements in place for the inclusion of religious confession
Jul 2018ACT Government action
National Redress Scheme commences operation
Jul 2018ACT Government action
ACT Government delivers its formal response to the Royal Commission
Jun 2018ACT Government action
ACT Government passes legislation to expand the Reportable Conduct Scheme to cover all services provided by religious organisations, with transitional arrangements in place for the inclusion of religious confession
Jun 2018ACT Government action
ACT Government introduces legislation to expand the Reportable Conduct Scheme to cover all services provided by religious organisations, and announces consultation on the inclusion of religious confession will continue until March 2019
May 2018ACT Government action
ACT Government formally joins the National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced child sexual abuse, to commence operation on 1 July 2018
May 2018ACT Government action
Consultation on further criminal justice amendments closes
May 2018ACT Government action
ACT Government commences consultation on further criminal justice amendments, to ensure the law and processes in the ACT are fair for people who have experienced child sexual abuse, witnesses involved in the court process and those accused of offences
Mar 2018ACT Government action
ACT Government amends Crimes Act 1900 in line with Royal Commission recommendations to expand the definition of grooming, exclude some ‘mitigating factors’ and update the offence of maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person
Feb 2018ACT Government action
ACT Government commences initial consultation on a Charter of Rights for Victims of Crime
Dec 2017ACT Government action
ACT Government commits to issuing a formal response to the Royal Commission within six months
Dec 2017Royal Commission action
Royal Commission issues its Final Report
Dec 2017ACT Government action
ACT Government announces it will expand the Reportable Conduct Scheme to cover all services provided by religious organisations from 1 July 2018
Nov 2017ACT Government action
ACT Government announces amendments to the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act, to strengthen protections and reduce regulatory burdens
Oct 2017Royal Commission action
Royal Commission issues its third report, containing final recommendations on Criminal Justice
Aug 2017ACT Government action
ACT Reportable Conduct Scheme commences, requiring certain allegations and convictions to be reported to the ACT Ombudsman, to ensure they are appropriately investigated and acted on by heads of organisations
Jul 2017ACT Government action
ACT Government continues to participate in the development of a national redress scheme for people who have experienced child sexual abuse
2017ACT Government action
ACT Government commits to developing a Charter of Rights for Victims of Crime
Oct 2016ACT Government action
Stakeholder and community consultation on the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act concludes
Sep 2016ACT Government action
ACT Government commences a legislative review of the ACT’s Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act, including community and stakeholder consultation
Aug 2016ACT Government action
ACT Government makes civil litigation amendments in line with Royal Commission recommendations, removing all time limits for people to seek damages and compensation for institutional child sexual abuse
Aug 2016ACT Government action
New ACT Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme commences operation
Jul 2016ACT Government action
ACT Government introduces legislation to establish a Reportable Conduct Scheme
Jun 2016ACT Government action
An ACT Government proposal is agreed to by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), for all states and territories to develop nationally harmonised reportable conduct schemes
Apr 2016ACT Government action
Legislation to establish a new ACT Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme is passed in the ACT Legislative Assembly
Mar 2016ACT Government action
Community and stakeholder consultation on the proposed Reportable Conduct Scheme for the ACT closes
Mar 2016ACT Government action
ACT Government proposes a Reportable Conduct Scheme and opens consultation with stakeholders and community members
Feb 2016ACT Government action
ACT Government participates in the development of the national redress scheme for people who have experienced child sexual abuse
Ongoing through 2016Royal Commission action
Royal Commission issues its second report, containing final recommendations on Redress and Civil Litigation
Sep 2015Royal Commission action
Royal Commission issues its first report, containing final recommendations on Working With Children Checks
Aug 2015ACT Government action
ACT Government announces it will introduce a new ACT Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme
Mar 2015Royal Commission action
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is established
Nov 2014The work of the Royal Commission and the ACT Government’s response may bring up strong feelings and questions. Be assured you are not alone, and that there are many services and support groups available to assist. Some options for advice and support include 1800 Respect, Lifeline on 13 11 14 and the National Redress Information Line on 1800 737 377.