Australia ‘sorry’ for sex abuse
SYDNEY — Prime Minister Scott Morrison delivered a formal apology Monday to Australia’s victims of child sex abuse, saying the nation must acknowledge their long, painful journey and its failure to protect them.
Morrison’s emotional speech given in Parliament before hundreds of survivors followed the conclusion of a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the nations’ highest level of inquiry.
“Today as a nation we confront our failure to listen, to believe, and to provide justice,” he said, adding: “We say sorry.”
Abuse survivors gathered in Parliament’s Great Hall cried, yelled and applauded as Morrison read the apology.
“I believe you, we believe you, your country believes you,” he said.
The four-year inquest that delivered its final report in December revealed shocking evidence from more than 17,000 survivors and heard allegations against government, church and private institutions, as well as prominent individuals.
It also heard evidence from such leaders as Vatican Cardinal George Pell, who’s charged with committing sex abuse himself and was accused of failing to protect children.
The PM said in his speech Monday that it was time for Australia to confront key questions.
“Why weren’t the children of our nation loved, nurtured and protected? Why was their trust betrayed?” he said.