Turnbull to apologise to child sex abuse victims 

Malcolm Turnbull has announced he would apologise on behalf of Australia to victims of child sex abuse by the end of the year.

The prime minister made the promise during a speech to Federal Parliament on Thursday in response to the child sex abuse royal commission, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.   

‘It’s clear that being heard and being believed means so much to the survivors, so much more than many of us would imagine,’ Mr Turnbull said. 

‘Three words, I believe you, coming after years, often decades, of authorities denial of responsibility.’ 

He announced the Government would appoint a ‘survivor-focused reference group’ to help in the delivery of an apology to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

‘As a nation we must mark this occasion in a form that reflects the wishes of survivors and affords them the dignity to which they were entitled as children but which was denied to them by the very people tasked with their care.’ 

The prime minister made the promise during a speech to Federal Parliament on Thursday in response to the child sex abuse royal commission (pictured)  

The announcement followed Mr Turnbull’s update to a redress scheme for survivors, which included an offer of up to $150,000 for victims and a personalised apology from offending institutions.

The scheme was set to be rolled out by July 1, with Mr Turnbull encouraging states, territories and non-government organisations to sign up.   

‘I am committed, my government is committed to doing everything possible to make sure this national tragedy is never repeated and I urge all Australian governments and the non-government sector – the churches, charities and other institutions – to respond to the report by June as was recommended by the royal commission,’ he said.   

Members of the Care Leavers Australasia Network held up signs thanking the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse