In Australia’s arts sector, two recent reviews have appeared to uphold integrity while quietly protecting the institutions themselves. They tell a revealing story about how federal cultural organisations are handling controversy, and why the public should care.

The National Redress Scheme is a once-in-history opportunity to face up to the harm that happens to children in all kinds of places, to grapple with what that means for Australian society and Australian children, now and in the future. We owe it to survivors, to ourselves and to our kids. But we’ll miss the chance if it continues to be a filthy little secret that survivors have to keep.