Conducting a National Inquiry into Systemic Patterns of Human Rights Violation If there is to be more than one report, then they could be released simultaneously or progressively over a period. The production of several reports that are released at different times can build and maintain momentum for implementation over a longer period than simply focusing on a single release. On the other hand, this may dissipate public attention and so reduce the impact of the report. There is a strategic choice to be made about what is likely to be most effective in promoting implementation. 13.5. THE CONTENTS OF THE REPORT Whether the inquiry decides to issue one report or several, the contents as a whole will need to include certain common elements: • the voices of victims • an accurate and fair summary of the evidence received • an explanation of the relevant provisions of human rights law • the inquiry’s own findings or conclusions, based on the evidence and the law • a strong analytical context for the findings, so that readers understand not only what happened but why it happened • a response to each of the terms of reference • recommendations. Ensuring that the voices of victims are heard clearly and explicitly throughout the report is a particular priority. The report should not be merely an intellectual or academic document, though it must be comparable in analytical rigour. It should also be a vehicle through which victims become real persons to the readers and their stories and experiences are told in their own words. The inquiry will have collected a great deal of information from victims, in their own words, during the course of the public hearings and through their written submissions. This information should not only be analysed but passed on to others. The power of the inquiry approach lies in bringing the experiences of victims to life. This needs to be accomplished through the report as much as through any other part of the inquiry. One of the reasons that the national inquiries on transgender people, on family violence and on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children were so effective was that they highlighted key points in the evidence by including compelling direct quotations and photos from victims and other witnesses.18 13.6. THE STRUCTURE OF REPORT A draft table of contents for the report or reports should be developed as early as possible to provide an early understanding of the structure of the report or reports. Early development of the structure enables evidence to be collected and organised in ways that assist report writing. It enables the inquiry’s work to be organised to collect the data that is required for the report. It also permits allocation of writing tasks among members of the inquiry team with writing responsibilities and the early drafting of background chapters. There is no single suitable structure. Some things are found in all reports. Reports typically begin with an introduction and discussion of the background to the inquiry, its methodology, its work programme and its members. They typically end with a conclusion that seeks to draw together the main themes, followed by a summary of the findings and recommendations. Their substantive chapters deal with the evidence and the law and present findings (or conclusions) and recommendations. These chapters can be organised in any number of ways, for example, according to issue or geographic region or population group or political and social sector. 18 66 See www.hrc.co.nz/files/5714/2378/7661/15-Jan-2008_14-56-48_HRC_Transgender_FINAL.pdf, https://ombudsman.gov. ws/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2018_-SHRR-2018-National-Public-Inquiry-into-Family-Violence_-English.pdf and www. humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/content/pdf/social_justice/bringing_them_home_report.pdf respectively.