SEXUAL ABUSE
Children in every placement were experienced to sexual abuse and exploitation. Girls were more at risk than boys. For girls in particular the risk of sexual assault in a foster placement was far greater than in any other. Almost one in ten boys and just over one in ten girls allege they were sexually abused in a children's institution.
SEXUAL ASSERTED
REPORTED BY INQUIRY WITNESSES
Placement |
Males |
. |
Females |
. |
Reported |
Not
Reported |
Reported |
Not
Reported |
|
| Institution | 10
(8.5%) |
(91.5%)
|
19
(11.7%) |
144
(88.3%) |
| Foster family | 5
(10%) |
45
(90%) |
21
(29.6%) |
50
(70.4%) |
| Adoptive family | 1
(4.8%) |
20
(95.2%) |
6
(27.3%) |
16
(72.7%) |
| Work | 0
(-) |
19
(100%) |
4
(10.5%) |
34
(89.5%) |
| Total | 16
(7.7%) |
192
(92.3%) |
50
(17.0%) |
244
(83.0%) |
When I was at Castledare I was badly interfered with by one of those brothers. I still know the room [in the church]. I was taken, selectively taken, and I was interfered with by one of those brothers. And if you didn't respond in a way, then you were hit, you were hit. I never told anyone that.
Confidential evidence 679, Western Australia: man removed at birth in the 1940s.
I ran away because my foster father used to tamper with me and I'd just had enough. I went to the police but they didn't believe me. So she [foster mother] just thought I was a wild child and she put me in one of those hostels and none of them believed me - I was the liar. So I've never talked about it to anyone. I don't go about telling lies, especially big lies like that.
Confidential evidence
214, Victoria: woman removed at 7 years in the 1960s.
Placement Stability | Sexual Abuse | Bonds of Affection | Education | Work and Wages
