The Aftercare Resource Centre

The 1999 Forde Inquiry into the Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions found that many children who were placed in church and government institutions experienced various forms of abuse.

The Forde Inquiry Report recommended the establishment of a service to support the needs people who experienced abuse in institutions, foster care and detention centres. Relationships Australia (Qld) Inc. provides a range of services at its Aftercare Resource Centre (ARC) with funding from the Queensland Department of Communities.

Relationships Australia has never been involved in providing institutional care or foster care and the Aftercare Resource Centre has been operating since October 1999.

The Aftercare Resource Centre offers the following services to people who were former residents of Queensland institutions or who were in foster care in Queensland:-

• Counselling and support for people who experienced abuse in institutions, foster care and detention centres
• Assistance with educational opportunities, including literacy and numeracy programs
• Help with searches for official records
• Assistance with family re-unions
• Opportunities for being involved with support groups and other community resources