This is the report of an inquiry to examine the incidence of sexual abuse of children on the Lands, the nature and extent of that abuse, and to report as to measures which should be implemented to prevent sexual abuse of the children and to address the consequences for the communities.

The Children on APY Lands Commission of Inquiry was established on 26 June 2007 during the course of the Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry (CISC Inquiry). A considerable body of evidence was received by the CISC Inquiry of allegations that many Aboriginal children in communities had been sexually abused but those allegations did not come within the terms of reference of the CISC Inquiry because the children were not in State care. The South Australian Parliament amended the legislation relating to the CISC Inquiry to include sexual abuse of children on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands (the Lands) and thereby established the Children on APY Lands Inquiry. The same Commissioner constituted both commissions which operated contemporaneously.