Supporting Stolen Generations, their families and communities through a holistic reparations package

The State of Victoria has introduced a reparation package with compensation for thousands of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) persons – that were removed by a government or non-government agency before 31 December 1976, while under the age of 18 years. Applicable criteria include showing that the ATSI person separated from their family for a period of time that resulted in the experience of loss of family, community, culture, identity and language. The reparation package also recognises intergenerational trauma as the ‘…effects of traumatic experiences endured during childhood and adulthood being transmitted to subsequent generations” which is significant in identity loss. Reparations are defined as rendering  “justice by removing or redressing the consequences of the wrongful acts and by preventing and deterring violations” which moves towards re-establishment of missing identities of ATSI persons in accordance with Art 8(2) CRC. Child Identity Protection (CHIP) welcomes this reparation scheme and others that endeavour to completing stolen/missing identities such the New South Wales Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme and Funeral Assistance Fund (Aboriginal Affairs NSW Government website) and Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme (National Indigenous Australians Agency).

Source : https://www.vic.gov.au/stolen-generations-reparations-package