National apology for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse on Monday
SHE spent more than a decade of her childhood institutionalised in NSW, where she and others suffered terrible abuse. On Monday, Josephine Littlehawk will finally receive an apology.
SURVIVORS of institutional child sexual abuse will on Monday receive recognition of their suffering in a national apology from Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Josephine Littlehawk, from Adelaide’s southern suburbs, spent more than a decade of her childhood institutionalised in NSW.
“Some terrible things happened in the orphanage to myself and many others,” Ms Littlehawk said.
She will be in Canberra for the apology which she hopes will bring some healing to victims so they too can realise “it wasn’t their fault”.
“I’m extremely grateful for the acknowledgment of the wrongs that have been done,” she said. “There are so many survivors out there and hopefully the Government will also address the need to help these people.”
Ms Littlehawk, 56, said the abuse left “an everlasting mark” on her life. But it has not stopped her advocating for victims.
Despite the Wentworth by-election, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was focused on the Australians affected by institutional sexual abuse.
“Some won’t be able to talk to another living soul (today),” he said.
“It is my job, as Prime Minister … to convey the sorry that they have wanted to hear for so long.”
State Child Protection Minister Rachel Sanderson will also deliver a state apology on Monday at the Adelaide Convention Centre, which she hopes will honour the bravery of everyone who gave evidence to the Royal Commission.
She will tell survivors that: “We acknowledge the failure by those adults who didn’t listen, didn’t act on reports of sexual abuse and who placed and returned children back to dangerous situations.”