FED: Govt apology for those abused in institutions
Sun Aug 30 03:49:16 EST 2009
Sat Aug 29 17:49:16 UTC 2009
Subject: [Fwd: FED: Govt apology for those abused in institutions] name="FED: Govt apology for those abused in institutions.eml" filename*0="FED: Govt apology for those abused in institutions.eml" Subject: FED: Govt apology for those abused in institutions FED: Govt apology for those abused in institutions
SYDNEY, Aug 30 AAP - The federal government is to formally apologise to the hundreds of thousands of people who were abused and neglected as children after being placed in institutions or foster care.
Families Minister Jenny Macklin says a statement acknowledging and apologising to so-called "forgotten Australians" and child migrants, many of whom suffered physical, emotional and sexual abuse while in the care of government institutions, church organisations or foster care, will be issued by the government by the end of the year, Fairfax newspapers report.
Ms Macklin says the level of abuse and neglect was "unacceptable" and it's time to issue a formal apology.
The apology, which may be delivered jointly by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull, follows several Senate inquiries, all of which recorded horrific abuse and neglect of children, Fairfax says.
The 2004 Forgotten Australians Senate report estimated that at least 500,000 children had been placed in more than 500 orphanages, homes or other forms of care during the last century - many because they were born to single mothers or were the victims of family break-ups or poverty.
The inquiry found a "litany of emotional, physical and sexual abuse, and often criminal physical and sexual assault" and widespread deprivation of food, education and health care.
AAP ao =0A
FED: Govt apology for those abused in institutions