CHILD sex abuse survivors have finally received an apology from the nation’s leaders, Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten.
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But emotions were mixed as survivors watched the apology in Tamworth and Armidale on Monday.
“My abuser was a teacher; he had been moved from four schools before he got to mine, because of complaints,” survivor Robyn Knight said.
“It was clear they had failed, there was no question.”
Her abuser was former Ben Venue Public School teacher John Ferris, who was jailed in 2016 for the abuse of eight girls in the 1960s and ’70s.
Australia has failed victims, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in his apology.
“We forsook them. That will always be our shame,” he said.
Ms Knight said she felt Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s words were more comforting.
“When Bill Shorten said, ‘It wasn’t your fault, it was never your fault’ that was probably the most profound statement out of the whole day for me, because I felt it was my fault all my life,” she said.
In Tamworth, child abuse survivor Helen Mary Jones joined others to watch the national apology.
For her, the recognition allows healing. For others, it was too tough to watch.
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“To say ‘we believe you’ means a lot, because a lot of us weren’t believed or listened to,” she said.
“We’re starting to get the respect we never got when the events were happening.
“The actual apology itself, I think, was delivered with a lot of compassion and humility.”
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
