The NSW Ombudsman has tabled this progress report on the response to the 2017 inquiry into the operation of the Joint Investigation Response Team (JIRT), a tri-agency program delivered by the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS), the NSW Police Force and NSW Health.

The purpose of this paper is to seek feedback on proposed options for reforms to Territory laws being considered by the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice, in response to the Royal Commission’s recommendations regarding the duties and liability of institutions and the identification of defendants.

Catholic leaders have responded to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and have vowed that the Church’s shameful history will never be repeated.

One of the major consequences of the abuse crisis has been the loss of trust in Church leadership and their moral influence. One of the great challenges for the future will be the restoration of that trust.

The Victorian government acknowledges findings of historical abuse within state government institutions and the ongoing psychological and physical harm suffered by many survivors. The Victorian government is taking responsibility to ensure that these failures to protect children never happen again.