16 Dec 2020

Royal Commission into Abuse in Care: Estimated 250,000 victims

From Morning Report, 7:07 am on 16 December 2020

The numbers are astounding - figures out this morning from the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care estimate there are up to 250,000 victims over 70 years.

They are children, young people and vulnerable adults who suffered beatings, sexual assault and other cruelty while in state or religious care between 1950 and 2019.

The cost to society of the physical and mental injuries, criminal behaviour, homelessness, lack of education and unemployment is calculated at $217 billion.

Judge Coral Shaw told our reporter, Andrew McRae the Commission the figures, which are based on overseas studies, bring home the enormity of the suffering.