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Victorian Government response to the Board of Inquiry

Victorian Government response to the Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools.

Content warning:

This page contains information relating to historical child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools.

If you have experienced sexual abuse as a student, or are aware of sexual abuse at a Victorian government school, recently or in the past, information on reporting and support is available at: Report sexual abuse if you’re a current or former student.

On this page

Progress updates on the Board of Inquiry recommendations

Progress updates on the Victorian government’s implementation of the recommendations made by the Board of Inquiry.

About the Board of Inquiry

In June 2023, the Victorian Government established a Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools.

The Board of Inquiry delivered its final report on 26 February 2024 which made 9 recommendations to the Victorian Government.

Summary of recommendations

Recommendation 1: Issue a statewide public apology in Parliament.

Recommendation 2: Co-design a memorial for Beaumaris Primary School and consistent policy guidance and processes on memorials for other Victorian government schools.

Recommendation 3: Establish a statewide independent truth-telling and accountability process.

Recommendation 4: Introduce a restorative engagement program for adult victim-survivors of child sexual abuse in government schools outside of civil litigation and National Redress Scheme processes.

Recommendation 5: Improve information access through trauma-informed practices for responding to requests for information and improved records management.

Recommendation 6: Implement website and telephone line information and assistance for victim-survivors of child sexual abuse in government schools.

Recommendation 7: Pilot a coordination, navigation, and advocacy support function for adult victim-survivors of child sexual abuse in schools.

Recommendation 8: Implement a targeted program of work to improve service responses, including a formal peer support program, consistent service prioritisation, and promotion.

Recommendation 9: Legislative reform to ensure the enduring protection of personal information provided to boards of inquiry.

Response to the Board of Inquiry report

The Victorian Government released its response to the Board of Inquiry on Wednesday 19 June 2024, accepting recommendations 1 to 8 in full and recommendation 9 in principle.

The government dedicated $48.29 million in the Victorian Budget 2024/25 to progress this vital work.

Victorian Government’s response to the Board of Inquiry (PDF, 232KB)

Acknowledgement of victim-survivors

The Victorian Government pays our respect and gives thanks to all victim-survivors and their loved ones who shared their experiences of child sexual abuse in a Victorian government school with the Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools.

We also acknowledge with deep respect those who felt unable to bring their voices forward due to the enormity of the trauma they suffered as children, those whose experience of child sexual abuse was not in a school within the scope of the Board of Inquiry, and those whose voices can no longer be heard.

We are deeply committed to continuing to acknowledge our past failings, to support healing for victim-survivors of all Victorian government schools, and to continuously learn from our past failings, to protect the children and young people of today and tomorrow.

A note on language

We recognise the power of words and that they can have profoundly different meanings for different people. We know language is constantly changing and we are working on refining, through consultation, the language that we use to describe those that have experienced (directly or indirectly) child sexual abuse.

Any references to victim-survivors are intended to include those who have experienced child sexual abuse, including those that are no longer living.

Apology from the Secretary, Department of Education

On 17 November 2023, the Secretary of the Department of Education apologised to victim-survivors of child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools, their loved ones and affected communities on behalf of the Department of Education.

Read the Statement from the Secretary.

Consultation

The Victorian Government recognises that talking to, and deeply listening to victim-survivors, their families, and affected communities is key to implementing these reforms successfully. We are committed to ensuring that their voices are heard and that all community members who want to be involved are able to participate in a safe and inclusive way.

For information on the consultation activities undertaken so far visit Progress updates on the Board of Inquiry recommendations.

Stay informed or register your interest in participating

The Department of Education would like to thank all those who have contributed to our consultation processes and played a critical role in shaping the implementation of the reforms recommended by the Board of Inquiry.

In 2026, the Department will be commencing consultation with victim-survivors, loved ones and affected members of the community to inform the Victorian Government’s apology in Parliament.

For more information on the implementation progress of the Board of Inquiry recommendations, or to register your interest in contributing to the consultation on the apology, contact the Department of Education’s Restorative Engagement and Support team (REST):

Support services

Specialist support services and helplines offer support for children and adults who have been victims of abuse. They can also provide advice for support options for family members.

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SACL is a statewide, after-hours, confidential telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced past or recent sexual assault. SACL from 5 pm to 9 am weeknights, and throughout weekends and public holidays. During business hours, calls to SACL are diverted to a local Sexual Assault Services Victoria.

There are specialist sexual assault services across Victoria. These services provide counselling and advocacy for all victim–survivors, as well as others impacted by sexual assault. You can find your local specialist sexual assault services using this interactive map on the Sexual Assault Services Victoria website.

Blue Knot provides information and support for anyone who is affected by complex trauma. Complex trauma is repeated, ongoing, and often extreme interpersonal trauma (between people) – violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation experienced as a child, young person and adult.

Other support services offering crisis and counselling support

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Lifeline is available for anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide.

13YARN is a national crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in crisis. They offer a culturally safe and confidential one-on-one over the phone yarning opportunity and support with a trained Lifeline Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.

Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQ+ helpline. It provides information, support and referral to all LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their friends and family.

1800 RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.

SAMSN is Australia’s leading organisation for male survivors of child sexual abuse and their supporters. SAMSN provides a range of free supports including a peer support phone line and many resources that prioritise the wellbeing of survivors and their supporters.

Provide feedback

If you have any feedback about what is on this page or if you need more information or support please email the Department of Education’s Restorative Engagement and Support team (REST) at rest@education.vic.gov.au.

Education & training

Updated 27 March 2026

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