The recent allegations of children abused in state care in the past two weeks has shocked and saddened the community.
At Relationships Australia (SA), we understand that this news can be particularly difficult for adult survivors of childhood abuse. Our Elm Place services provide support to adults whose lives have been affected by out-of-home care as children and we urge survivors to contact us if they feel they would benefit from our services.
Elm Place offers two core services, Post Care and Find & Connect Support Services. Post Care provides information, advocacy and referral for adults who were in State or out-of-home care as children. This includes access to counselling, therapy, education and employment services, help locating records, developing life and parenting skills, strengthening or reconnecting with family and community. Find & Connect Support Services help Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants uncover their history, trace and reclaim their identities, access counselling services, and reconnect and rebuild relationships with their families where possible.
Additionally, the Royal Commission Support Services works closely with Elm Place to provide assistance and support for people who are engaging with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Free and confidential support services are available to survivors and their families, as well as employees of institutions or organisations where abuse has occurred. Support services include counselling, advocacy, referrals to the Royal Commission and other agencies, and support through the legal process.
Elm Place services are available for any adult whose personal history includes experiences: as a ‘Ward of the State’ or under the ‘Guardianship of the Minister’, under a care and protection or secure custody order, in foster care, in institutional care in children’s homes or in an orphanage. If you are seeking support services for a child or teenager under the age of 18, please contact Child Abuse Report Line 24 hour number on 131 478.
Elm Place is located at 191 Flinders Street, Adelaide. Please contact Find & Connect Support Services on 1800 161 109, Post Care Support Services on 1800 188 118 and Royal Commission Support Services on 1800 998 187. Additional information and resources can be found on the Elm Place website.
