Photographs have been identified time and time again as being of vital importance for those seeking to make sense of childhood Institutional Care experiences, yet there is still a lot of uncertainty and inconsistency around release with varying interpretations of third party provisions in privacy legislation. Photographs continue to be redacted unnecessarily and in ways that are not in the interests of those seeking access to them.

Through the Victorian Records Holders Network, this guidance has been developed by a working group of record holders, archivists, researchers and other stakeholders with experience in the legal, cultural and personal aspects of handling Institutional Care records. It aims to help organisations and institutions holding photographs relating to childhood Institutional Care experiences make better decisions about access to the photographs in their custody. It advocates for a generous and caring approach to their access and release, in accord with community expectations and rights to identity, memory and accountability. 

Working document

We are releasing this as a working document – open to use, feedback and critique.

In particular we would like to include any practice examples that would help other organisations to implement Recommendation 8.4 Principle 5 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that Individuals’ existing rights to access, amend or annotate records about themselves should be recognised to the fullest extent.

To provide feedback either complete this form or email joanne.evans@monash.edu.