Project Purpose

Coota Girls, the Children of Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home, and Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation know all too well the painful truth: Stolen Generations Survivors and their Descendants are overwhelmingly represented in today’s child protection and justice systems. The deep and lasting impacts of the Stolen Generations - the trauma, the disconnection, the loss - continue to ripple across generations, showing up in mental health challenges, poor health outcomes, education gaps, housing insecurity, and barriers to employment.

This is the ‘invisible gap’ - a devastating reality that the Closing the Gap policy fails to see, let alone address. Despite this being known within our communities, government systems and departments do not even ask the question: Are you a Survivor, Partner or Descendant of the Stolen Generations? No data is collected. No space is made for truth. This project seeks to change that. By gathering data directly from Survivors, Partners and Descendants within our three organisations, we will make visible what has too long been ignored. We will build the evidence needed to tell the stories that live in our bodies, in our memories, and in our families—stories that demand to be seen, heard, and acted upon.

Project aims:

Gather Evidence: Collect data from the three Survivor-led organisations to document the ongoing impacts and over- representation of Stolen Generations Survivors, Partners and Descendants in the child protection and justice systems.
Support Healing: Increase resources for Survivor, Partner and Descendant-led programs that focus on healing, cultural restoration, and breaking the cycle of child removal and justice system involvement.
Drive Systemic Change: Use this evidence to strengthen advocacy efforts and push for reforms across child protection, justice, and related systems.

An infomational video on the project is available here

WARNING!

Questions in this survey could bring up uncomfortable feelings and memories.

Talking about it to someone you trust can help.

Support is available 24/7 from a range of services including 13 YARN.

Call 13 92 76. Or call KBHAC on (02) 9051 1690 and ask for our Justice Reinvestment team members who can support.

Participant Consent Form

This Justice Reinvestment project aims to understand the experiences of Survivors and Descendants of the Stolen Generations. Data collected as part of this process will help the Truth Telling process, as well as identify what justice looks like. Your participation in this project is voluntary and based on the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Your interviewer should have explained the project in more detail, as well as provided additional resources on the Aboriginal Data Sovereignty and Governance model in place for this project.

By signing this consent form you acknowledge that you have been provided access to the project resources, and had the opportunity to ask your interviewer additional questions. The project team will ensure that all information provided is stored securely in Australia and only accessible in the format and to the persons that you select below, in addition to the Seer Data & Analytics team who are providing technical support to the project and will require access to all records in order to help facilitate your decisions below.

You have the option to withdraw your consent at any time, and request that your data be removed from the project’s data collection. Once the data collection is complete, you will have access to your data in the Stolen Generations Data Platform [for confirmation with SGOs]. You are also entitled to a copy of your data if you would like these for your own records. The security of data provided back to you will become your responsibility.

Consent

I consent to my data being included in the combined data collection held by the SGO

YesNo

I consent to my data being included in the combined data collection shared with the other SGOs

YesNo

I consent to my individual data being accessible to the specified persons (for example descendants, other family members, other members of the SGO).

YesNo

In the space below, please provide the name and relationship of the person(s) you consent to have access to your data.

Are you happy to be contacted about future projects?

YesNo

I consent to my data being used after I pass.

YesNo

I nominate the following individual to be the contact for other projects should I pass away:

Date:

Signed:

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Introduction

Please answer all of the questions below.

What is your connection to Kinchela Boys Home? *

SurvivorSibling of a SurvivorDescendent of a SurvivorPartner of a Survivor or Descendent

Please select *

Child GrandchildGreat grandchildSubsequent generations

Do you have a connection to other homes?

Coota GirlsCBACHOther

If 'Other', please specify

Please provide the name of the Survivor/s you are connected to. If you are the Survivor please provide your name.Note: This will be de-identified and is only being used for understanding and mapping the links within and between families.

What does feeling heard, respected, and treated fairly look like for you or your community?

What needs to happen for healing and change to feel real or possible in your life?

About you

Name

Date or Year of Birth if known

How would you describe your gender?

Do you remember what age you were when you were kidnapped?

Which home did you go to?

Were any family members / siblings also kidnapped?

Did they go to the same home?

Do you remember approximately what age you were when you left the home?

Which family member(s) were kidnapped?

Which house(s) did they go to

Do you remember approximately what ages they were when they were kidnapped?

Do you remember approximately what ages they were when they left the home?

Do you have children of your own?

YesNo

If yes, how many and what age?

What are their name/s? (Optional)

Who do I live with?

Please enter the ages of your children

Please provide additional information about the relationship to the extended family living with you

Where do I live?

I own my own homeI rent privatelyI rent from a Government department e.g. AHO/Homes NSWI rent from a community housing agency e.g. Hume Housing, Southern Cross, Thress Bridges, Many RiversI don't have a homeI live in a supported accomodationOther temporary accomodation

If you live in supported accomodation please provide the type

I'm waiting for a social housing?

YesNo

I have been waiting for:

1-3 years3-6 years6-9 years10+ years

Your Experience in the Home

During your time in the home, did you experience any of the following (tick all that apply):

Reprogramming and brainwashing to be and act as a white person / be fearful of other First Nations PeopleVerbal abuse Physical abuse Emotional abuse Sexual abuse Neglect, including insufficient nutrition or lack of medical attention Forced labour Forced isolation Severe or excessive punishments

Were you in the home with any family members?

YesNo

If yes, please list names and relation

During your time in the home, did you experience and of the following (tick all that apply):

Positive relationships with family members in the home Sisterhood/Brotherhood with other children in the home Friendship

Would you like to tell me about any of those experiences?

Experiences with Child Protection Department and Systems

Have you been placed in kinship or other care?

YesNo

Is yes please select which type

KinshipOther care

When placed in kinship or other care, were you placed in First Nations homes or non-First nations homes?

First Nations HomeNon-First Nations Home

What type of care did you live in?

How many times have you been placed in care?

How long were you in care each time?

While in care, how many homes did you live in?

Were you adopted?

YesNo

Were you restored to your family?

YesNo

If yes, when were you restored to your family?

Did your family accept you back?

YesNo

Would you like to tell me more about this?

Were there challenges in reconnecting with family?

YesNo

Can you tell us about this?

Where did you live when you turned 18?

Were there challenges in being released from care?

YesNo

Can you tell us about this?

Have you had experiences with child protection (Docs) for your own children?

YesNo

Were your children placed in care?

YesNo

If yes, for how long?

How often do you see or speak with the child/ren?

Tell us about your experience

Have you had experiences with child protection (Docs) for your grandchildren?

YesNo

Were your grandchildren placed in care?

YesNo

If yes, for how long?

How often do you see or speak with the grandchild/ren?

Tell us about your experience

Have you had experiences with child protection (Docs) for other family members’ children?

YesNo

What was your relationship to the child?

Were you an approved carer?

Were you able to provide care in other ways? Can you tell us about this?

Have you experienced racism when interacting with child protection?

YesNo

Can you tell us more about this?

Experience with the Juvenile Justice System

Have you had experience with the juvenile justice system?

YesNo

How many times have you interacted with the juvenile justice system? (e.g arrested, charged, faced court, had community service or detention sentence)

How long was each experience?

What was the offence / offences for?

Were you ever the victim of violence?

YesNo

Would you like to tell me more about this?

Have you felt unsafe and / or experienced racism when interacting with the juvenile justice system?

YesNo

If you chose Other, please explain

Did you feel you had adequate support when exiting the juvenile justice system?

YesNo

Would you like to tell me more about this?

Experience with the Prison System

Have you had experience with the prison system?

YesNo

How many times have you interacted with the prison system? (e.g arrested, charged, faced court, had community service or detention sentence)

How long was each experience?

What was the offence / offences for?

Have you felt unsafe and / or experienced racism when interacting with the prison system?

YesNo

If you selected Other, please explain

Were you ever the victim of violence?

YesNo

Would you like to tell me more about this?

In any of those experiences did the facilities include:

Adequate recreational space and activities Opportunities to engage in structured programs to assist with your education or rehabilitation Cultural Support

Did you feel you had adequate support when exiting the system?

YesNo

Would you like to tell me more about this?

Health & Wellbeing

Did you have any health conditions as a child?

YesNo

If yes, what were they?

Were you aware of them while in the home?

YesNo

Did you get looked after with your health condition?

YesNo

Would you like to tell me more about this?

How often did you get seen by a doctor?

I only knew about health issues once I left the home?

YesNo

Did you want to share anything about these experiences?

Do you have any long-term health conditions?

YesNo

Have you ever been diagnosed with Cancer?

YesNo

If yes, when and what type of cancer?

Did you want to share anything about this experience?

Do you find any of the following stressful now?

How often have you found that you could not cope with all the things that you had to do?

Never Sometimes Regularly Always

How often have you felt that you were on top of things?

Never Sometimes Regularly Always

Have you ever sought help for a mental health related problem (e.g depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, psychosis)?

Yes No

If so, from whom?

Professional Friend Family member Other

Do you know anyone who has died by suicide?

Yes No

If 'Other', please specify

In the last 12 months, how often did you have an alcohol drink of any kind?

Never Daily WeeklyMonthly

Average number of times per week

Average number of times per month

On a day that you have an alcoholic drink, how many standard drinks do you usually have:

Have you ever drunk an alcoholic drink while pregnant?

Have you ever used yarndi or other drugs while pregnant?

Have you ever smoked or vaped while pregnant?

In the last 12 months, which of the best describes your smoking status (yarndi, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes)

In the last 12 months, how often did you gamble?

NeverDaily WeeklyMonthly

Average number of times per week

Average number of times per month

Has gambling interfered with your work or relationships? 

YesNo

Connection to mob, community, country and culture

Do you have meaningful connections to your mob?

YesNo

Do you know the communities and countries you are connected to?

YesNo

Have you had the opportunity to return to country?

YesNo

Do you know your or any other Aboriginal language?

YesNo

If yes, which one/s?

Other Community Experiences

Have you experienced rejection by:

Family Community, organisations Aboriginal organisations Other

Would you like to tell me more about this?

Have you had positive experiences of acceptance from:

Family Community, organisations Aboriginal organisations Other

Would you like to tell me more about this?

Have you ever felt unsafe or experienced racism when interacting with the health system?

YesNo

If yes, can you share that experience?

Have you experienced racism by any individual or service not already discussed, for example the general community, other organisations or service providers (Indigenous or non-Indigenous)?

YesNo

Would you like to tell me more about this?

How do you believe colonisation has impacted on your experiences within your community?

YesNo

Would you like to tell me more about this?

Life Skills

In general, would you say your life skills (household skills, cooking, cleaning, caring for yourself and others, reading and writing, managing money) are:

PoorFair GoodVery goodExcellent

When did you learn these skills?

Were you programmed to undertake some household chores like cleaning, bed making, laundry that you passed down to your children with fear trying to protect them?

YesNo

If yes, can you tell us about this?

Do you believe any of your experiences in or out of the home have been barriers to your ability to learn these life skills?

YesNo

Would you like to tell me more about this?

What were the drivers to any changes you made?

In the last 12 months, were there any times that you were short on money?

YesNo

In the last 12 months, were there any times that you were unable to purchase prescribed medications?

YesNo

Education

Were you given the opportunity to participate in education during your time at the home?

YesNo

Were you given the opportunity to participate in education after leaving the home?

YesNo

Did you go to preschool / kindy?

YesNo

Is yes, for how long?

SometimesRegularlyAlways

How old were you when you started preschool/kindy?

What is your highest level of education?

Please describe

How many schools have you been to?

Have you experienced barriers to your ability to complete an education?

YesNo

If yes, can you tell us about this?

Do you believe your level of education has been a barrier in your life?

YesNo

Would you like to tell me more about this?

Have you felt unsafe and / or experienced racism when interacting with the education system?

YesNo

Employment

Since leaving the home, have you experienced forced labour?

YesNo

Would you like to tell me more about this?

What are some of the paid and unpaid jobs you have done since leaving the home?

What was your shortest and longest time in each?

Which job did you enjoy the most?

Have you ever felt unsafe or experienced racism during a recruitment process or while employed?

YesNo

If so was it

Recruiting staff Supervisors/managers Other staff members Other

If you selected Other, please explain

Do you believe that you have been excluded from employment for any other reasons?

YesNo

Can you share more about this?

The questions we asked were sensitive. If you feel uncomfortable or upset, it’s important that you tell someone. You can talk to someone you trust at Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation.

You can talk to a member of our Justice Reinvestment team on (02) 9051 1690 or to your partner, parent, a friend or someone you trust.

You can also contact a support service if you need social or emotional support or information for you or someone else.

You can call Lifeline (13 11 14), 13 Yarn (13 92 76)

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