Remembrance ceremony honours survivors during Child Protection Week

• A Remembrance Day ceremony has been held in Brisbane, to honour survivors during Child Protection Week
• This year’s Child Protection Week (1–7 September) theme is ‘Every conversation matters’
• 2024 marks 15 years since the National Apology to Forgotten Australians

Adult survivors of childhood abuse in institutional settings, including out-of-home-care, have been honoured at a special ceremony in Brisbane.

Child Safety Minister Charis Mullen attended the annual Remembrance Ceremony, at the Gallery of Modern Art, to light a candle on behalf of Forgotten Australians and to say ‘never again’.

Remembrance Day has been held as part of Child Protection Week in Queensland for more than 20 years.

It honours the strength and advocacy of Queenslanders who experienced abuse and neglect while in the care of the church or state child protection system.

This year marks 15 years since the National Apology to Forgotten Australians and former child migrants subject to appalling deprivations and abuse.

The Miles Government continues to implement changes and reforms to improve the child protection system to better protect children and young people who cannot safely remain at home.

Quotes attributable to Child Safety Minister Charis Mullen:

“Remembrance Day is an important time to reflect on past failings, acknowledge the pain caused by institutional abuse and to say ‘never again’.

“I honour the courage and compassion of adult survivors of childhood abuse who share their stories in order to make the world a better place for children and young people in care.

“It is up to us to heed their stories, learn from them and advocate for change.

“The Miles Government is committed to reforming our child protection system and is actively working with our partners to make Queensland a safe place to raise a child.

“This year’s theme for Child Protection Week is ‘Every conversation matters’, reminding Queenslanders that we all have a role to play in keeping children safe from harm.”

ENDS

Media contact: 0417 296 116