The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry acknowledges the report from the UN regarding Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit recently released.

Inquiry Chair Coral Shaw said that “we particularly acknowledge the complainant who took his case to the United Nations. Along with other witnesses, Mr Richards provided valuable evidence at our Lake Alice public hearing last year.”

The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry is conducting a full, independent and impartial investigation into abuse at the Child and Adolescent Unit at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital.

“We have extensive powers to ensure a thorough examination of what occurred at Lake Alice, the Government’s response and the adequacy of the subsequent Police investigations.”

“Commissioners in their private sessions, and members of the investigative team, have engaged with a number of survivors of abuse at Lake Alice, and many contributed to the case-study public hearing in June 2021” said Shaw.

“Our findings and recommendations resulting from our investigation will be provided to the Governor General in the second half of this year,” she said.

The Royal Commission can make findings of fault and recommendations for further steps to determine liability.

In accordance with the Inquiries Act 2013, the Royal Commission will not make findings of civil, criminal or disciplinary liability.