In March of 2013 the Royal Commission approached AIFS to provide some background information relating to institutional child sexual abuse. The information requested is listed below.

Much of this information was already included in broader research into child maltreatment that AIFS had previously published. Further work was undertaken to tailor research specifically into institutional child sexual abuse.

Mandatory reporting obligations

Every state and territory has provisions for mandatory reporting in their legislation. A general publication on mandatory reporting obligations is available at:

• Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect

Oversight of child sexual abuse

Information relating to the agencies in each state or territory responsible for oversight of child sexual abuse.

A general publication relating to prevalence of child maltreatment is available at:

• Reporting Abuse and Neglect: State and Territory Departments Responsible for Protecting Children

Employment screening legislation

A general publication on employment screening is available at:

• Pre-employment Screening: Working With Children Checks and Police Checks

Summary of offender registration legislation

• Offender registration legislation in each Australian state and territory

International inquiries into child sexual abuse

• A list of inquiries into child sexual abuse conducted in the past 10 years in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada and New Zealand

Prevalence studies

A list of references related to child sexual abuse prevalence studies in the UK, New Zealand, Ireland, USA and Canada in the past 10 years.

A general publication relating to prevalence of child maltreatment is available at:

• The Prevalence of Child Abuse and Neglect

Statutory definitions

• Statutory definitions of child sexual abuse applicable at the institutional level for Australian State and Territories, New Zealand, Ontario, Illinois, California and England.

Further reading on child abuse and neglect

Royal Commission published research webpage