The Hon Peter McClellan AM QC and Chrissie Foster
Justice McClellan led the five-year Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
About this winner
- Year: 2018
- Level: Winner
- Award category: Human rights medal
About the 2018 nomination
Justice McClellan led the five-year Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. It was unprecedented in Australian history in terms of length, size or complexity and led to the Prime Minister's National Apology to Victims and Survivors in October 2018. Justice McClellan demonstrated remarkable compassion and leadership in the conduct of these hearings.
Chrissie Foster has long campaigned for justice for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Two of Mrs Foster's daughters were sexually abused by a Catholic priest - one has since passed away. With dignity, grace and strength, Mrs Foster and her family have publicly held institutions to account in the hope that history will not repeat itself.
About the Human Rights Awards
The Australian Human Rights Awards is an inspirational showcase of the best in all of us. The Awards honour and celebrate diverse human rights heroes and significant achievements in protecting and promoting human rights in Australia.