Police charges after child abuse inquiry referrals

The commission referred more than 100 people to Tasmania's police and child protection authorities. (Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS)

Police have charged 10 people as a result of referrals from a commission of inquiry examining child sexual abuse in Tasmania.

The final 3500-page report of the commission, which held closing addresses on Wednesday, will be made public by the government on September 26.

The inquiry was given harrowing accounts of abuse in state-run institutions, particularly the Ashley Youth Detention Centre and Launceston General Hospital, during hearings last year.

Commission president Marcia Neave AO said more than 100 people had been referred to police and child protection authorities as a result of the inquiry's investigations spanning 29 months.

Tasmania Police says 10 people have been charged to date.

"For legal and privacy reasons we are not able to release any further details at this stage," a spokeswoman said in a statement on Friday.

The inquiry's final report will include 75 findings and 191 recommendations for reform, which the state government has already pledged to adopt. 

During her closing address, Ms Neave said that since 2000 the government had too often responded inadequately to allegations or instances of child sexual abuse.

Sometimes this was due to ignorance, inertia or a desire to protect reputations, she said.

The inquiry has examined state government responses to abuse allegations in the health, justice, out-of-home care and education systems. 

Ms Neave and other commissioners called on the government to shut Ashley Youth Detention Centre as a matter of urgency.

They said urgent short-term reforms were needed to address "serious deficits" in the care of children at the centre.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has said the facility will be shut "as soon as possible" as part of a shift to a more therapeutic approach.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

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