The design for the National Memorial for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse has been approved, and construction will begin later this year.
The Memorial will be built on Acton Peninsula, overlooking Lake Burley Griffin.
Internationally renowned architects Jessica Spresser and Peter Besley created the design, titled ‘Transparency and Truth’.
It features pathways framed by a series of glass archways that signify strength, fragility, and great resilience in recognition of people with lived experience of institutional child sexual abuse, and will be surrounded by a field of wildflowers.
“The Memorial design seeks to hold in balance an acknowledgement of strength and vitality on the one hand, and recognition of trauma and loss on the other,” the architects said.
“The individual pieces of cast glass carry immense loads, yet together create forms of exceptional grace and lightness, representing both fragility and great resilience.”
Ms Spresser and Mr Besley were recently chosen to design a new Pier Pavilion on Sydney Harbour.
Their memorial design was approved by the Canberra National Memorials Committee, a nine-person jury of people with lived experience and design industry experts, chaired by the Hon Peter McClellan AM QC, former Chair of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
“The National Memorial will provide both a beautiful place for quiet reflection and an opportunity for deepening community understanding of the tragic consequences of abuse,” Mr McClellan said.
The Federal Government committed $6.7 million to establish the National Memorial. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse had recommended that the Australian Government “establish a national memorial for victims and survivors which is both educative in nature but also offers a place of support and reflection for survivors”.
Anne Ruston, Federal Minister for Families and Social Services, welcomed the outcome of the selection process.
“The National Memorial would stand as a place of truth and reflection for people with lived experience and their families and supporters, as well as an enduring reminder of the responsibility to create a safer world for our children,” Ms Ruston said.
Nola Marino, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, said that without the strength of victims and survivors, Australia may have never been able to come to terms with the awful truth about the abuse perpetrated in institutions entrusted to care for children.
“Their voices have created changes in all levels of society to ensure that children are protected from abuse in all institutions now and forever, and this memorial will serve as a permanent tribute to them,” Ms Marino said.
“Due to the scale and significant impact of institutional child sexual abuse, it is important that the National Memorial has a permanent place in the heart of the nation’s capital.”
The ACT Government welcomed the announcement. A spokesperson said the ACT was a strong advocate for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and the need to appropriately recognise and respond to historic child sexual abuse.
“The Royal Commission will leave an enduring legacy for our nation’s future, and the strength of the individuals that came forward and told their stories should be remembered appropriately,” the spokesperson said. “The memorial will serve as a space for the survivors to visit in acknowledgement of their contribution to the outcomes of the Royal Commission, as well as the family and friends of victims that may no longer be with us.”
The ACT’s stance on child abuse
The Royal Commission made 409 recommendations outlining what governments at all levels need to do to address and prevent institutional child abuse. Of these, 307 recommendations applied to the ACT Government; 290 of these were accepted or accepted in principle, while the remaining 17 were either noted or considered.
At the time of the last annual progress report, the ACT had completed 167 of those recommendations, and 123 others are progressing.
“The ACT Government is committed to ensuring children’s safety and implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations to enhance a culture of safety for children in our community,” the spokesperson said.
Child and Youth Protection Services (CYPS) in the ACT provides a statutory response for the protection and care of children and young people believed to be at risk of serious abuse and harm. The ACT’s integrated child protection system is a model unique to the ACT, and provides a statutory child protection, out of home care, and youth justice service, focused on responding to children and young people at risk. CYPS improves and promotes the safety and wellbeing of children, young people, and their families by providing a trauma informed response that focuses on diversion, protection, restoration, transition, and permanency.
From 2015 to 2020, the A Step Up for Our Kids out of home care strategy reformed the ACT’s child protection system. A new strategy (Next Steps for Our Kids) will support vulnerable children and young people. Further information on Next Steps is available at – About A Step Up for Our Kids – Community Services (act.gov.au).
The ACT Government hopes the Commonwealth will implement those recommendations that relate to the federal government, and work with and support the states and territories on recommendations and areas of shared responsibility.
