Forde Inquiry

The Forde Inquiry (1998–1999), or formally the Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions, was a special inquiry into child abuse in the state of Queensland, Australia, presided over by Leneen Forde AC, a former Governor of Queensland. Assisting Ms Forde were Dr Jane Thomason and Mr Hans Heilperm.

The Inquiry covered 159 institutions from 1911 to 1999 and found abuse had occurred and made 42 recommendations relating to contemporary child protection practices, youth justice and redress of past abuse. The Inquiry resulted in reconciliation initiatives including apologies, commemorative memorials and events, establishment and delivery of the Queensland Government Redress Scheme, establishment of the Forde Foundation Trust Fund, and establishment of community-based support services.

The Commission of Inquiry was established on 13 August 1998 by the Queensland Government's Minister for Families, Youth and Community Care, Anna Bligh, pursuant to the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1950 (QLD) to examine whether there had been any abuse, mistreatment or neglect of children in Queensland institutions. The Commission inquired into and reported in relation to any government or non-government institutions or detention centres established or licensed under the State Children Act 1911 (QLD), Children’s Services Act 1965 (QLD), or the Juvenile Justice Act 1992 (QLD). The Inquiry specifically investigated whether any unsafe, improper or unlawful care or treatment of children occurred and whether any breach of any relevant statutory obligation under the above Acts has occurred during the course of the care, protection and detention of children.

During the period from August 1998 through May 1999, the Commission conducted intensive inquiries into the current and past administration of various orphanages, reformatories, and detention centres for wayward children maintained in Queensland. A sizeable number of witnesses were deposed under oath to testify before the Commission. Most of these deponents had spent part of their childhood or adolescence in one or more of Queensland's youth institutions. Some of these witnesses chose to be identified by name in the final Inquiry, but many requested anonymity. The Commission solicited testimony from indigenous Australian individuals as well as from those of non–indigenous descent. As most of the deponents were testifying in regard to events which they had experienced or witnessed during their childhood or adolescence, in some cases they were testifying about events that had occurred as much as fifty years prior to the Inquiry.

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