As reported by
The Telegraph, Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison today delivered a speech in Parliament (
full text of remarks) apologizing for the government's lack of response to child sex abuse in the Catholic Church and other religious and secular institutions. The emotional apology on behalf of the nation to victims and their families came after a five-year investigation by a government commission. (See
prior posting). The Prime Minister said in part:
Today, we confront a question too horrible to ask, let alone answer. Why weren’t the children of our nation loved, nurtured and protected? Why was their trust betrayed? Why did those who know cover it up? Why were the cries of children and parents ignored? Why was our system of justice blind to injustice? Why has it taken so long to act? Why were other things more important than this, the care of innocent children? Why didn’t we believe? Today we dare to ask these questions, and finally acknowledge and confront the lost screams of our children. While we can’t be so vain to pretend to answers, we must be so humble to fall before those who were forsaken and beg to them our apology.
The Prime Minister also announced that a National Redress Scheme has begun:
The scheme will provide survivors with access to counselling and psychological services, monetary payments, and, for those who want one – and I stress for those who want one – a direct personal response from an institution where the abuse occurred.
[Updated to clarify that the Royal Commission's investigation covered other institutions as well as the Catholic Church.]
