In August 1998 in Queensland, the Minister for Families, Youth and Community Care established a Commission of Inquiry to examine whether there had been any abuse, mistreatment or neglect
of children in Queensland institutions. This Inquiry is widely known as the Forde Inquiry, in reference to the Chairperson, Leneen Forde. The Committee reported on incidents of unsafe, improper and illegal treatment of children in Queensland institutions, including cases of sexual, physical, emotional and systems abuse. The Queensland Government in collaboration with religious authorities issued a joint formal statement of apology in 1999.
Sources used to compile this entry: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions, Queensland Government, 1999, http://www.qld.gov.au/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/support-for-forgotten-australians/.
Prepared by: Cate O'Neill
Created: 21 August 2009, Last modified: 28 October 2011