National Memorial for Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse
Project Type
Design and Construction
Completion Date
To Be Confirmed
Temporary Road or Lake Closures
No
National Memorial for Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse
Purpose
For victims, survivors, their families and friends, the National Memorial for Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (the Memorial) can provide a place of reflection and recognition of the truth and offer a symbol of hope.
For the broader community, the Memorial will acknowledge the experiences of victims and survivors. It will recognise the courage of those who have fought for justice. It will honour lives lost and those whose voices were not heard.
Establishment of the Memorial
A new Memorial Design will be selected through an open Approach to Market process.
In May 2024, the National Capital Authority (NCA) sought responses from suitably qualified and experienced design consultants to provide Design Consultant Services to support the establishment of the Memorial.
The National Memorial Advisory Group (Advisory Group) was consulted on the design brief for the Memorial. The brief considered feedback from a public online consultation process reported in the Consultation Summary Report.
Construction of the Memorial is expected to commence in 2025.
The Memorial is expected to be completed in 2026.
Background
The Memorial was a recommendation (17.6) of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Royal Commission).
The Australian Government has committed funding towards the establishment of the Memorial in Canberra. Following the funding commitment, an Advisory Group was established to perform a key advisory role to assist the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the NCA with the development and delivery of this important project.
The Advisory Group membership includes people with lived experience of institutional child sexual abuse alongside sector experts to advise on key aspects of the Memorial's design, including the purpose, location, and key attributes.
The NCA is overseeing the design and construction of the Memorial on behalf of the DSS, which is responsible for the delivery of the Government’s commitment in response to the recommendation of the Royal Commission.
Previous Memorial design
The NCA ran a national design competition in 2021 to select a suitable design for the Memorial.
Following extensive consultations involving the DSS, the NCA and the Advisory Group, the Government decided to set aside the original design and commence a new design selection process.
Public Interest Certificate
A Public Interest Certificate has been issued. Click here to view the Public Interest Certificate or see Attachment below.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region.
We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
