In the New Year Honours, over a dozen individuals have been acknowledged for their significant contributions to unveiling and supporting survivors of abuse in care. This follows the final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in state and faith-based care, which uncovered that at least 200,000 individuals were abused and even more were neglected since 1950. The investigation highlighted systemic failures in addressing widespread abuse within these institutions.
Among those honoured, nine individuals were awarded the title of Companions of the King’s Service Order, and seven received the King’s Service Medal for their committed support to survivors. Darryl Smith, one of the honourees, who endured abuse from age seven in both state and faith-based care, expressed that this recognition serves as vindication for all who have suffered abuse under such institutions.
Smith emphasized the need for more definitive actions from both the government and religious institutions, urging them to back their words with tangible support for survivors and their families. He pointed out that although the recognition validates their efforts, considerable work remains to be done, especially in implementing recommendations from the report.
The honoured individuals were acknowledged for their relentless pursuit of justice and amplifying the voices of abuse survivors, an effort that has now been formally recognized with these honours.
