Look at Missions Abuse in Inquiry: Gooda

SBS
December 13, 2013

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/12/13/look-missions-abuse-inquiry-gooda

Mich Gooda

Australia's indigenous rights leader has called for Aboriginal missions to be considered in the royal commission into institutionalised sexual abuse.

The commission is holding public hearings in Sydney and investigating how various institutions, including the Catholic and Anglican churches, have responded to child sexual abuse.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda says Aboriginal missions, such as those that existed in his home state of Queensland, should be included.

"We would like to see missions confirmed as institutions because back in the day people couldn't leave," Mr Gooda told reporters on Friday.

"They were basically called inmates at the missions and a lot of abuse happened at these places.

"They're the sort of things we would like the commission to concentrate on."

Mr Gooda on Friday released his 2013 social justice and native title report, which marked 20 years since his role was established in Australia.

He said he hoped the royal commission would consider the Bringing Them Home report, which followed a national inquiry surrounding Australia's dark history of the stolen generation.

"There are lots of lessons in there," he said.

"And I talk to Mick Dodson (a commissioner in the inquiry) and you wouldn't want to re-traumatise some of those people by putting them through the same process.

"I hope and pray they are going to look at those sorts of things that we have so they can feed off the recommendations."

The royal commission said later it recognised the need to investigate the sexual abuse of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in institutions.

It said it has several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, including counsellors, which would allow people to talk in a "safe and culturally supported environment".

Evidence is being gathered from several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and local community leaders.

"From that work the royal commission will determine which institutions should be the subject of a public hearing," a statement on Friday said.