Victim-survivors, advocates and community members gathered in Burnie on 28 August 2026 and Launceston on 4 September 2026 for Laurel House’s annual Ribbons of Reflection events.
Attendees at the Ribbons of Reflection event in Burnie, 28 August 2026.
The events marked three years since the release of the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings final report. They provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made and consider the work that remains to keep children and young people safe.
As part of the events, attendees tied ribbons to a memorial ladder sculpture created by the late Daisy Ford, a victim-survivor advocate and whistleblower whose courage and determination helped drive change in Tasmania.
Implementation Monitor, Robert Benjamin AM KC
The Implementation Monitor, Robert Benjamin AM KC, was invited to speak at both events. Mr Benjamin reflected on the scale of the reform effort underway across Tasmania and the importance of ensuring that commitments made in response to the Commission of Inquiry result in meaningful and lasting change.
He also spoke about the progress he is seeing through his monitoring work, while emphasising that significant work remains.
“We have an obligation to those who have been abused, and a duty to protect children from harm, to act when concerns arise, and to support victim-survivors in their healing and recovery. Our work should be Daisy’s legacy.”
Implementation Monitor, Robert Benjamin AM KC
Mr Benjamin’s speech also outlined the focus of his monitoring work over the coming year, including assessing progress against each recommendation, listening to victim-survivors and community organisations, and undertaking deeper analysis of areas where further attention may be needed.
Read the Implementation Monitor’s full speech from the Ribbons of Reflection events: Ribbons of Reflection 2026 – Implementation Monitor’s Speech (PDF, 340.4 KB).