Australia’s national apology to victims of child sex abuse – what happens from here?
A HISTORIC apology to the survivors of child sex abuse in Australian institutions was a day of hope and healing. But more still needs to be done.
SIX years ago, sex abuse survivors wept as then-prime minister Julia Gillard announced the wide-ranging Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse.
That seems like a long time ago; but even back then it was a long time coming.
Horrendous stories of abuse and cover-ups had been leeching out of the Catholic Church, particularly, and the pressure for a national inquiry with the full powers of the Royal Commission had been building.
Although the church had consistently been front and centre of the scandals, political expediency meant that the sweeping inquiry had to be broadened even further, to avoid looking like a “witch hunt” within the powerful organisation.
In the end, schools, sports clubs and out-of-home care providers were also included in the remit. Ms Gillard left the inquiry open-ended because of its enormous scope.
The commission itself lists the numbers involved.
There were 42,041 phone calls taken; 25,964 letters and emails; 8031 private sessions held; 2575 referrals to police. There were issues papers, public hearings, round tables and story after story of horror.
In December last year, the commissioners handed over their final report, declaring “our work is complete”.
Other work has just begun, starting with Monday’s historic apology.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten both gave heartfelt, unreserved apologies; echoed here in South Australia by our own state apology.
Premier Steven Marshall is overseas and sent a video message to mark the day, while Child Protection Minister Rachel Sanderson said there was nothing that could excuse “the horrific sexual abuse that children experienced in institutions that were meant to protect them”.
Her Opposition counterpart Jayne Stinson made the point that the former Labor government had apologised to children abused in state care a decade ago.
“We are deeply sorry for the horrible injustices wrought upon our most vulnerable little children and the lasting trauma they and their families have endured,” she said.
Mr Morrison said Australians apologised for a “gross betrayal of trust”.
“As children, you deserved care and protection. Instead, the very people and institutions entrusted with your care failed you,” he said.
“You suffered appalling physical and mental abuse, and endured horrific sexual crimes.
“As we say sorry, we also say we believe you.”
Mr Shorten said the nation’s apology was offered “with humility, with honesty, with hope for healing now”, adding it was no time to haggle over compensation or delaying justice.
“People have already died waiting for the justice they are due, people are dying,” he said.
Adelaide survivor Annette said the day was about survivors uniting together to have a voice
“The individual stories may be different but we are united together as one voice by the impact this had, and continues to have on us all,” she said. “As a child I was made a victim, as an adult I chose to be a survivor.”
But the apology, while symbolically powerful, is not enough.
The commission made a raft of recommendations – and there is the public pressure and political will that should see them carried out.
A museum (including a memorial) will be set up as a place of reflection and remembrance. Mr Morrison said the Government “will work with survivor groups to ensure their stories are recorded and the history is displayed”.
A centre of research will be established to focus on child sex abuse.
Advocate Craig Hughes-Cashmore yesterday said he hoped it would have “the public recognition of Beyond Blue or Lifeline and the reputation of the Royal Flying Doctors”.
An annual report on progress on the commission’s recommendations will be created to make sure there is proper monitoring.
But that’s not all that the commission called for. Its final report was tens of thousands of pages long and made 409 recommendations.
Among the most controversial is that priests should have to report child sex abuse revealed to them in confession – a recommendation SA has become the first state to adopt.
But the Catholic Church has already said it will refuse to obey the law. Then there’s the idea of the introduction of voluntary celibacy; again, not something the Church is enthusiastic about.
There are hundreds more things the commission found needed to be done in institutions, and by the federal and state governments. The apology was an important first step, but it was just a step.
Ms Gillard yesterday received a standing ovation when she entered the Great Hall in Canberra.
She sat with Chrissie Foster, who had two daughters abused by a Catholic priest.
“The apology being delivered today to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse is an overdue acknowledgment,” Ms Gillard said.
“Finally the nation is saying we see you, hear you, believe you, value you and we are sorry.”
She said more needed to be done than just saying sorry. And once again she was surrounded by weeping survivors.
If you or anyone you know needs help, phone Lifeline on 131 114, BeyondBlue 1300 224 636, or the Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380.