Five groups share funding to promote healing and reconciliation

Five Queensland organisations will share in more than $53,000 in funding to help raise awareness about institutional child abuse and promote truth, healing and reconciliation.

Minister for Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard today congratulated the successful recipients of the 2020-21 Truth, Healing and Reconciliation grants program.

The five successful grant recipients are:

• SANDBAG Community Centre to develop resources for a story telling project
• Bravehearts Foundation Limited to stage a community event to promote healing for women on Palm Island who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse
• Link-Up (QLD) to engage with past and present clients to create art which promotes truth, healing and reconciliation
• The Centre for Women & Co in partnership with Redlands City Council to compile a digital story about male survivors of institutional child sexual abuse
• Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation for a local health campaign for adults who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

“This grants program is helping to reveal the truth of what happened to Queenslanders who experienced institutional child abuse, encourage healing and work towards reconciliation,” Ms Linard said.

“The organisations running these five diverse projects will actively listen to and acknowledge the stories of the many Queenslanders who live with this pain every day.

“We know how important it is to raise awareness of the impacts of child abuse, to drive real change and to provide the right support, justice and healing for people living with these experiences throughout Queensland.”

The Truth, Healing and Reconciliation Taskforce, chaired by Mr Bob Atkinson AO APM, is currently travelling throughout the state hosting a series of forums to provide information on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the National Redress Scheme.

The forums are another opportunity for Queenslanders to share their opinions, thoughts and feedback on the implementation of the Royal Commission recommendations in Queensland.

“It is always important that we hear the voices of those with lived experiences of institutional child abuse, their supporters and the organisations working in this field, and I thank the Taskforce for their work in this area,” Ms Linard said.

More information on the Truth, Healing and Reconciliation Taskforce and grants program can be found at: https://www.cyjma.qld.gov.au/thr-taskforce

ENDS

Media Contact:  Tony Reeves  0439 648 315