The National Centre welcomes the apology made today to Victorians who experienced historical abuse and neglect as children in institutional care.
We are proud that the leadership of Frank Golding, one of the members of our Survivor-led Adult College, was acknowledged in the Premier’s speech. She noted the courage of those who had fought for this apology and said that they had “met silence with truth.”
In responding to the Apology, National Centre CEO Dr Leanne Beagley said:
“The stories that the Premier included in her speech from those who had experienced harms were such an important way to tell the story and underline the experience of each individual. Personally, and as a Victorian myself, I was heartened that the Premier’s Apology on behalf of the Victorian government was filled with real acknowledgement of the trauma inflicted on children, the long-term impact and the destruction of lives and families.”
“I am disappointed, however, that the Premier neglected to mention child sexual abuse as the particular and most destructive form of child maltreatment.”
“The Leader of the Opposition sought to be explicit about the scope of the apology and that it included those who had experienced child sexual abuse. To victims and survivors of child sexual abuse you are seen, heard, and believed.”
