‘I believe you’: Australia to apologise to child sex abuse victims

SYDNEY: Australia will issue a national apology to victims of child sexual abuse in public or religious institutions by the end of the year, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Thursday. after a five-year inquiry detailed harrowing stories from victims.

The Prime Minister noted that the victims would be consulted so that they felt comfortable with the process, which would be finalised during the current parliamentary session, reports Efe news.

A royal commission established in 2012 to investigate abuse was contacted by more than 15,000 survivors with claims — some decades-old — involving churches, orphanages, sporting clubs, youth groups and schools.

“As a nation, we must mark this occasion in a form that reflects the wishes of survivors and affords them the dignity to which they were entitled as children, but which was denied to them by the very people who were tasked with their care,” he said.

“Reading some of the witness statements, it’s clear that being heard and being believed means so much to the survivors ... Three words: ‘I believe you,’ coming after years, often decades, of authorities’ denial of responsibility.”

The royal commission released its final report in December and said more than 4,000 institutions were accused of abuse, with many of them Catholic-managed facilities.

It made 409 recommendations, which Turnbull said his government was working through, including a national redress scheme that would support survivors with counselling, psychological care and financial payments.

Canberra has budgeted Aus$33.4 million (Dh 96.39 million, US$26.1 million) for the scheme, with survivors eligible for payments of up to Aus$150,000.

Turnbull urged state governments and institutions to commit to the scheme, which is due to start in July, in remarks supported by Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten who was part of the previous government when it ordered the inquiry.

“The money does matter. Compensation does help get people, at least, get back on their feet a bit,” he told parliament.

“But it’s also a tangible admission that the institution was at fault and they should pay for their wrongs.”

Survivor advocate Leonie Sheedy of the Care Leavers Network welcomed the proposed apology but said taxpayer-funded organisations that committed or did not investigate abuse, such as orphanages and the police, should also say sorry.

“They need to be on their knees begging for forgiveness of us, the victims, and also apologising to the nation,” she told AFP.