A new report has found only six per cent of recommendations made to support Stolen Generations survivors and their families almost 28 years ago have been fully implemented, recommending a package of urgent changes to enable remaining elderly survivors to live out their days with dignity.
The report by The Healing Foundation, 'Are you waiting for us to die?' The unfinished business of Bringing Them Home, includes commissioned analysis by researchers at the University of Canberra and modernisation of the Bringing them home report recommendations. It also draws on insights from many years of consultation with survivors and Stolen Generations organisations on their needs and priorities.
On the eve of 17th anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations - February 13 - The Healing Foundation's chief executive Shannan Dodson said with survivor numbers declining every year, an urgent response was required from all sides of politics, all levels of government, police, churches and others with responsibilities to support the Stolen Generations.
"We have already lost too many survivors, even in the last few weeks. Immediate and prioritised action is needed to provide equitable redress for all survivors, rectify issues preventing survivors from accessing their own family records, offer ongoing support for Stolen Generations organisations and ensure there are culturally safe, trauma informed aged care and health services for survivors," Ms Dodson said.
The Healing Foundation's chair Professor Steve Larkin said the new report offers practical policy solutions to some of the big challenges facing survivors and their families.
"Stolen Generations survivors have specific and complex ageing needs resulting from their forced removal and are more likely to fare worse than other older Indigenous people on a range of outcomes. They are the gap within the gap. Yet we know survivors are often not accessing necessary services due to fear of re-traumatisation," he said.
The Healing Foundation report makes 19 recommendations as part of National Healing Package for Stolen Generations survivors across six areas – on reparations, rehabilitation and research, records, family tracing and reunions, acknowledgements and apologies, education and training, and monitoring and accountability.
The report reveals: only five out of 83 Bringing them home report recommendations have been clearly implemented (six per cent); 45 have failed to be implemented (54 per cent); 11 recommendations are categorised as a qualified pass; 10 are classified as a partial failure; the status for 10 of the recommendations is unclear; and one is no longer applicable.
Ms Dodson said the new report sent a clear message about the need for an urgent and coordinated response that all political parties, all governments, organisations and anyone in contact with Stolen Generations survivors can progress to achieve real change and practical solutions for survivors.
"There must also be ongoing support to the many Stolen Generations organisations across the country that have the expertise and knowledge to provide holistic, culturally safe, and trauma-informed responses to the needs of survivors," she said.
Professor Larkin said the failure to act on the Bringing them home recommendations over almost 30 years created further trauma and distress for the Stolen Generations, their families and wider communities.
"Now is the time for a comprehensive and systemic response to address survivors' pressing and complex needs," Professor Larkin said.
"We must act before it is too late."
The 1997 Bringing them home report documented the impact of forced removal on individuals, families and communities and the complex needs of survivors.
The Healing Foundation's new report can be found online.
