Today, the Premier of Victoria will formally apologise to Victorians who experienced historical abuse and neglect as children in institutional care.
Before 1990, more than 90,000 children were placed in institutional care in Victoria. Many children experienced harm at the hands of those trusted to protect them. Some now carry trauma and grief with them as adults, at times leading to poverty or homelessness.
The new Victorian Care Leavers Redress Scheme is under development and will be co-designed with Victorians who grew up in institutional care.
The scheme will build on support available through the National Redress Scheme set up after the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Until the scheme begins, the Victorian Government is providing Advanced Redress payments of $10,000 to people who were physically, psychologically or emotionally abused or neglected as children in institutional care in Victoria before 1990, and who are now critically or terminally ill.
Applications for Advanced Redress payments can be made at services.dffh.vic.gov.au/advance-redress-payments.
People who need support can contact Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) or Open Place (Relationships Australia Victoria). Crisis help is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14.
The full text of the Premier's Parliamentary Apology to Victorians who experienced historical abuse and neglect as children in institutional care will be published at premier.vic.gov.au.
The Apology will be livestreamed on the Parliament of Victoria website at parliament.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"To each and every child who was abused, neglected or mistreated - and on behalf of this Parliament, and every Parliament before it - we say sorry."
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
"This apology would not have been possible without the tireless advocacy of survivors and their supporters. Today is a tribute to their strength and courage."
