Prime Minister officially apologizes to Australian victims of sexual abuse of children

SYDNEY – Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday issued an official apology to victims of child sexual exploitation in Australia, saying the country must acknowledge their long and painful journey and apologize.

His moving speech to Parliament in front of hundreds of survivors followed the findings of a royal commission on institutional responses to sexual abuse of children, the highest level of investigation in the country.

"Today, as a country, we are faced with our inability to listen, believe and deliver justice," he said, adding, "We are sorry."

The four-year investigation, which culminated in the release of its final report in December, revealed shocking evidence from more than 17,000 survivors and heard charges against government, religious and private institutions, as well as only against important personalities. He also heard testimony from leaders such as Vatican Cardinal George Pell, who is himself accused of having committed sexual abuse in the past and who has been accused of failing to protect the children.

Morrison said that it was time for Australia to tackle key questions.

"Why were the children of our country not loved, fed and protected? Why was their trust betrayed? He said.

"Why do those who know cover him? Why were the cries of children and parents ignored? Why was our justice system blind to injustice? Why did it take so long to act? Why are other things more important than this one, the guard of innocent children? Why did not we believe? "

Morrison said nothing could be done to repair the harm done to children.

"Even after a full royal commission of inquiry, which finally made it possible to make our voices heard and to break the silence, we will all continue to struggle," he said.

"So, today, we come together in this hall with humility, not only as representatives of the people of this country, but also as fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, friends, coworkers and, in in some cases, as victims and survivors. "

Lawmakers observed a minute of silence following an apology at the announcement of the government's plan to establish a museum and research center to raise awareness and understanding of the consequences of child sexual abuse, and to ensure that the country does not forget the horrors suffered by the victims. have suffered.

The research center will also assist applicants and guide best practices in training and other services.

The government will also commit to report annually for the next five years on the progress of the recommendations of the royal commission.

It has already accepted 104 of the Commission's 122 recommendations, including a repair program, the remaining 18 are still under review.

The government has also created a new child safety office, reporting to the Prime Minister.

Opposition leader, Bill Shorten, joined the excuses, saying that Australia had dropped tens of thousands of children, from generation to generation.

"Our nation has let you down. Today, we present the excuses of our country with humility, honesty, hope of healing now and with the fire in the stomach to ensure the safety of our children in the future, "said Shorten.

While many survivors and activists have gone to Canberra to hear their excuses, many are still asking for more work to fix the situation.

Care Leavers Australia Network Manager Leonie Sheedy has called on the government to remove charity tax relief from institutions that are still deciding whether or not to join the national mechanism. repair for the victims.

She says she has never healed from being a victim of violence.

"You can learn to live with it, but it never goes away. It will be with me and all the caring outsiders until the day they put the lid on the coffin, "Sheedy told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Hetty Johnson, founder of the Bravehearts Victim Support Group, said the survivors had made it clear that they wanted all of the Royal Commission's recommendations to be fully implemented.

"There is a lot of anger in the community," she told Sky News.

"They have made it clear that they want these recommendations to be implemented as planned and it remains to be seen whether the government will actually do it."

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