Gov accepts recommendations from report into historic child sexual abuse, Beaumaris PS

Premier Jacinta Allan has said the state “failed” to keep children safe from historical child sexual abuse at government schools, inviting victim-survivors to share their stories as part of a new truth-telling inquiry.

Victim-survivors of child sexual abuse at government schools will have the opportunity to share their stories following an inquiry into the historical child sexual abuse at Beaumaris Primary School in the 1960s and 70s. Picture: Ian Currie

Victim-survivors of child sexual abuse at government schools across the state will have the opportunity to share their stories as part of a new truth-telling inquiry.

The Allan government on Wednesday announced the government had accepted all nine recommendations from a report into historical child sexual abuse at Beaumaris Primary School and other government schools.

The government has accepted all nine recommendations from a report into historic child sex abuse at Beaumaris Primary School and other government schools. Picture: Ian Currie

Premier Jacinta Allan said there had been a “serious and systematic” failure to protect children from abuse in government schools.

“We failed to keep these children safe,” Ms Allan said.

“We failed to listen when they spoke out.”

The recommendations from the Board of Inquiry include establishing a statewide truth-telling process, with the government urging victim-survivors of historic sexual abuse from any state school to come forward with their stories.

The special inquiry, which probed alleged abuse of students at Beaumaris Primary School during the 1960s and 1970s, found there was no procedure to identify or report child sexual abuse between 1960 and 1994.

Premier Jacinta Allan said there had been a “serious and systematic” failure to protect children from abuse in government schools.

The government has now committed to a review into how historical child sexual abuse matters were treated and responded by the Education Department.

It will then deliver a formal apology in parliament at the conclusion of the processes in 2026.

An investment of $48.29 million will be rolled out to deliver the recommendations.

“The work is not over. Rather, today is just the next step towards healing,” Ms Allan said.

A memorial will be set up to acknowledge the historical child sexual abuse that occurred at the Bayside Primary School with the assistance of victim-survivors.

Beaumaris Primary victim-survivor Tim Courtney said the inquiry had been “a long time coming”. Picture: Ian Currie

Beaumaris Primary victim-survivor Tim Courtney welcomed the inquiry and encouraged others to come forward with their stories.

“It’s been 50 odd years since some of the abuse started. So it’s been a long time coming,” he said.

“I really encourage people to come forward that have their own story to tell. I think this will be a very unique opportunity for victim-survivors and their families to have a say, albeit very difficult.”

As part of the recommendations, individualised support will be provided to people seeking records and a new function will be piloted offering practical advocacy, access to flexible funds and assistance to navigate multiple service systems.

A dedicated website and telephone line will also be set up to assist victim-survivors of child sexual abuse in government schools.

Sandringham MP Brad Rowswell welcomed the government’s commitment to a truth-telling process, saying the insidious crimes against innocent people in his community were just the “tip of the iceberg”.

“For close to two years, my colleagues and I have called for the Government to enable every victim survivor of historical child sexual abuse in Victorian Government schools to have their voices heard and their stories told,” he said.

“And today, victim-survivors across the state will be afforded that opportunity through a newly established Truth Telling process.”