Reflections on an Institutional Upbringing - Voices of ‘Care’ Leavers, Tuart Place:

During my visit to Tuart Place, I had the privilege of speaking to a number of 'care' leavers, who shared their experiences of growing up in children’s homes and their journeys after leaving institutional ‘care’. I am deeply grateful to these individuals for their honesty and willingness to reflect on painful histories, to help improve support for future generations of ‘care’ leavers.  To protect identities, I have grouped their insights into broad themes:

Experiences of Abuse and Neglect:

Several individuals recounted harrowing experiences of emotional, physical and sexual abuse by the Christian brotherhoods and sisterhoods entrusted with their care.  Stories included violence, forced labour and starvation, with some recalling the terror of nights spent fearing they would be taken from their beds. 

Not Being Heard:

One individual poignantly described repeated attempts to run away and report abuse to the police, only to be ignored and returned to the institution they tried to escape.  Their sadness was palpable as they reflected on the pain of not being believed.   

Anger at Injustice:

Anger was a recurring emotion.  Many expressed indignation that perpetrators of abuse were rarely held accountable, receiving minor sentences or no punishment at all.  “There wasn’t justice for us" one person exclaimed, noting how some 'care' leavers had attempted to exact their own justice by dismantling the statues of those who had harmed them. 

Impact on Mental Health:

The long-term mental health impact was profound.  Many described moments of suicidal despair, particularly in the months subsequent to leaving the institutions.  All were thankful they hadn’t acted on these thoughts, but many spoke of friends who had taken their own lives. 

Some people felt that their past had made them more compassionate, driving them to help others.  However seeking help for themselves, remained a struggle for many.  Questions of trust and difficulty articulating their experiences were common barriers.  Others worried about burdening their families or stirring up painful emotions.  Literacy challenges compounded the difficulty of sharing experiences.   

Literacy Challenges:

A significant number of people struggled with literacy, a result of little to no education while in the institutions.  Individuals discussed how the institutions generally prioritised labour over schooling.  Many were consequently left unable to read or write and this remained a challenge for some throughout their lives. 

Leaving Institutions:

Most individuals left institutions between the ages of 15 and 16.  "My whole childhood was in a brown paper bag" one person remarked. All felt overwhelmed by the sudden transition from institutional life to independence and ill-equipped for the ‘outside world’.  Many faced isolation, inadequate living conditions and daunting challenges like finding work, particularly for those with limited literacy.  The absence of support was stark: 

"They just put you out there with nothing….no support….we didn’t have anybody" 

The Role of Tuart Place:

Tuart Place played a vital role in providing a sense of community and practical support.  Many valued connecting with others who had shared similar experiences, often reuniting with individuals from their childhood institutions.  Practical support such as help with paperwork and computer skills was also deeply appreciated. 

Language Around ‘Care’ Experiences:

The term ‘care leaver’, sparked predominantly negative feelings.  Many felt it failed to reflect their experiences: "You’re not a care leaver; you’re an abuse leaver", one person said.  For child migrants, terms such as ‘lost children of the empire’ resonated more deeply.  Others felt ‘orphan’ was an appropriate term.  There was consensus that public understanding of what it meant to be a ‘Forgotten Australian’ was limited. 

Hopes for Young People Leaving ‘Care’ Today:

Individuals expressed their want for young people leaving ‘care’ today to have adequate support and guidance; something they felt to have been completely lacking in their own experience. They emphasized the importance of having someone to turn to and something to fall back on. Several 'care' leavers spoke of their own struggles with low self-esteem and self-confidence and their wish that there had been someone to tell them that they were of value.

The isolation of leaving an institution to live alone was reported to be one of the hardest challenges, coupled with a lack of trust in others.  Practical support such as assistance in finding a home or job, was also seen as critical. 

Resilience and The Present:

Despite these challenges, many shared stories of resilience and hope.  They spoke of meaningful careers, volunteering and hobbies such as crafting, travel and sports.  One individual found joy in handcrafting model windmills for charity. 

Family connections – whether with children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews – were also deeply valued.  "We’ve done pretty well considering everything" one person remarked.  And they really have!!

(With my heartfelt thanks to all the individuals I spoke with during my visit to Tuart Place.)