Institutional abuse in Australian youth detention centres is a devastating reality for too many. Over many decades, vulnerable children in state care have been abused and neglected, with life-altering consequences.
Here we dive into the consequences of historic abuse at Magill youth detention centre, and how abuse lawyers and sexual assault lawyers can help you.
State institution for children in Magill, South Australia
Established in 1869, the Magill Industrial School was the first government institution in South Australia for neglected, destitute or orphaned children.
Over the years, the facility changed in name and function until its final iteration as the Magill Training Centre in 1993. From 1993, the Magill Training Centre operated as state care for:
Boys aged 10-18 who were on remand
Boys aged 10-14 who were on detention orders
Girls aged 10-18 who were on detention orders
Throughout its years of operation as a state care institution for children, Magill Youth Detention Centre failed in its duty of care to those it should have protected. It became notorious for abuse and neglect.
Over the years as an institution for the rehabilitation or care of children, it has been known or referred to as:
Magill Industrial School
Boys Reformatory, Magill
McNally Training Centre
South Australian Youth Training Centre (SAYTC)
Adelaide Youth Training Centre
Magill Training Centre
Magill Youth Training Centre
Magill Youth Detention Centre
Child sexual abuse at Magill Youth Training Centre
The Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry (the Mullighan Inquiry) ran between 2004 and 2008. Its purpose was to investigate allegations of child sexual abuse in state-run institutions. The Mullighan Inquiry examined 3 state-run institutions, which included the Magill Youth Detention Centre.
809 hearings were held, many of which included adults disclosing their childhood sexual abuse for the first time
792 people made 1592 allegations of child sexual abuse against 1733 alleged perpetrators (which occurred from the 1930s to the time of the Inquiry)
242 of those allegations were confirmed to have occurred in state care
The deaths of 924 children were investigated, 391 of whom died in state care
The final report was handed down in 2008 and detailed the decades-long systemic failures that allowed abuse and neglect of these children in state care.
The Magill Youth Detention Centre was closed in 2012 and demolished in 2014.
Impacts on adults abused in Magill Youth Detention Centre and Australian youth detention centres
The Mullighan Inquiry found that childhood abuse in Magill Youth Detention Centre (and other institutions) altered the course of their lives. When people wonder ‘what are the problems with youth detention centres,’ simply stated:
Children in state care had often already experienced trauma and needed protection and care
The state (in its role as parent) should have protected and cared for those children but instead exposed them to further abuse and neglect
Adult survivors who disclosed their childhood sexual abuse to the Mullighan Inquiry shared similar complex and long-term challenges including:
Mental health impacts
Difficulty disclosing child sexual abuse due to feelings of guilt, shame, fear, and a sense they wouldn’t be believed
Difficulties with gaining and maintaining employment
Ability to establish and sustain healthy personal relationships
Ability to enjoy life without self-medicating
Involvement in criminal law, including time in detention or prison
Seeking justice as an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse
Seeking justice for your childhood sexual abuse can be traumatic and uncertain, but an important part of your story. Reasons for seeking justice are deeply personal and can vary, but might include:
Putting what happened to you on record
Telling your story and being believed
Holding someone to account (this might be a public apology or acknowledgement of what happened to you)
Finding a sense of closure
Preventing what happened to you, happening to anyone else
Why Shine Lawyers is best suited to help you
If you are (or your loved one is) a survivor of Magill youth detention centre abuse (or have suffered mental, physical or sexual abuse from any other institution, including a prison, juvenile detention centre, school or church), get in touch with Shine Lawyers Adelaide.
Our Adelaide abuse lawyers and sexual assault lawyers are ready to listen to what happened to you and support your choice not to be silenced. Our Abuse Law team is trained with a trauma-informed approach and has a proven record of assisting abuse survivors with compassion, understanding and legal expertise.
How Shine Lawyers can help
Our experienced and compassionate Abuse Law team provides an obligation-free initial consultation. We can confidentially discuss your situation and advise you on the best course of action, including making a claim for compensation. Our abuse lawyers and sexual assault lawyers offer their services on a No Win, No Fee* basis and are ready to help you right wrong. Get in touch today.
*Conditions apply
