A Hunter advocate for tougher abuse concealment laws is hopeful today's National Apology will lead to real change.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has delivered the emotional speech at Parliament House today, apologising to the survivors of institutionalised sexual abuse unearthed by the Royal Commission.
Mr Morrison addressed his speech to those who have, and those who haven't spoken up about what happened to them, acknowledging that generations of children have been failed by schools, churches, youth groups, scout troops, orphanages, sporting clubs and foster homes.
"...Not just as a father, but as Prime Minister, I am angry at the calculating destruction of lives and the abuse of trust, including those who have abused the shield of faith and religion to hide their crimes, a shield that is supposed to protect the innocent not the guilty - and they stand condemned."
He apologised on behalf of the Australian Government for its "shame" in not uncovering the truth earlier, recognising the work of Former Prime Ministers Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, who were present in Canberra today, in setting up the Royal Commission.
"To the children we failed; sorry. To the parents whose trust was betrayed and who've struggled to pick up the pieces; sorry. To the whistleblowers who we did not listen to; sorry..."
The National Apology has been long-anticipated, with a series of Newcastle roundtables run by Federal MP Sharon Claydon among those hearing from survivors and contributing to the final substance of Mr Morrison's speech.
However, there's concern among some Hunter survivors the public and politicians may view today's speech as a 'chapter closed.'
Maitland Pastor Bob Cotton has been pushing to increase penalties for child sexual abuse concealment, with a 13,000 signature petition waiting to be debated in NSW Parliament before Christmas.
"Sorry is just a word," Pastor Cotton said, "words are very cheap and they're meaningless unless they're accompanied by meaningful action.
"So if they don't back this sorry with legislative change, which brings people who've concealed child sex abuse justice and puts a proper deterrent in place for paedophiles not to be protected in future, sorry is just a word."
Pastor Cotton is cautiously welcoming the NSW Government's $127 million commitment to address Royal Commission recommendations, which is a package including therapeutic services for children and adult survivors, strengthened out-of-home-care checks and greater resources for NGO workers to respond to children with complex needs.
"It just depends how far things go," he said, "I look at the $170,000 redress offered to survivors and that's a maximum figure with $60,000 to $70,000 being average - that's a pitiful amount of money for the amount of suffering that survivors have had to go through..."
Pastor Cotton said some victims, like prisoners and ex-prisoners, are falling through the cracks of the National Redress Scheme.
However, NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman has promised we're making strides.
"The NSW Government has responded with comprehensive reforms to the civil and criminal law, helping victims and survivors obtain access to justice and improving child safety.."
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| Image: Fairfax SMH. |
