Patricia Stephenson (Social Democrats)

I speak in support of both of the amendments Senator Boyhan has tabled, especially about the report on the role of Sage Advocacy. I tabled an amendment that has been ruled out of order, which relates to this amendment. It called for the establishment of a survivor support and advisory office within the Department. I suspect it has been ruled out of order because of the cost implication, but it relates to the concept of having a report to assess what is happening with Sage.

As has previously been said, when survivors are accessing support, the entire process is retraumatising and dehumanising. This is the direct feedback we are hearing from survivors. We are not making this up. They are dealing with a unique set of circumstances. The standard front-line public service workers do not have the skills for the interface. Getting feedback on how Sage is working and being a helping hand, which is a phrase used by Senator Boyhan, and facilitating and supporting survivors to use the service is very important. It is not a superfluous little extra; it is core to making sure the supports work for survivors. It is fundamental that we have a good-quality service that meets their needs. This would increase the responsiveness of the Bill to the needs of survivors.

Senator Boyhan's second amendment, No. 4, is central to the question of inclusion and exclusion. It was reported in The Journal that the special advocate, Patricia Carey, stated that legislation would be introduced in the North to provide redress to people who spent one day in an institution while for us it is 180 days. The question of exclusion and inclusion is very important. More survivors will come forward and new institutions will be considered. That was in an article in The Journal today, if the Minister wants to follow it up. That is legislation that is in the pipeline in the North. It is very upsetting for survivors down here to see this very different approach on the island.

I support both of Senator Boyhan's amendments.