This summary describes the abuse and neglect in State and faith-based care experienced by women and girls during the Inquiry period (1950 to 1999).
Chapter 2 is an executive summary.
Chapter 3 provides the context for this summary, including the number of female survivors who registered with the Inquiry, and the historical and social context most relevant to women and girls during the Inquiry period.
Chapter 4 describes the circumstances that led women and girls into care during the Inquiry period. This chapter explains how sexism and gender-based discrimination played a particular role that led to many women and girls entering psychiatric care, unmarried mothers’ homes and social welfare care.
Chapter 5 discusses the nature and extent of abuse and neglect experienced by women and girls in State and faith-based care. It focuses on the types of abuse and neglect that were differently experienced by women and girls – psychological and emotional abuse and neglect, medical abuse and neglect and physical neglect. It also describes the abuse and neglect in a care setting that was unique for female survivors – unmarried mothers’ homes.
Chapter 6 describes the impacts on women and girls of the abuse and neglect they suffered in care, particularly due to forced vaginal examinations and coerced adoption of their babies.
Chapter 7 explains the factors that contributed to women and girls being abused and neglected in care. It focuses on the factors that had specific effects on girls and women. These were the societal factor of sexism and gendered discrimination against women and girls, and faith-specific factors including gendered roles and sexism in positions of authority, negative attitudes about sex and female sexuality, and religious beliefs that were used to justify abuse and neglect in unmarried mothers’ homes. It also summarises the lessons learned and the changes made to prevent and respond to abuse and neglect by State and faith-based institutions that provided care.
