A Warilla man will be among thousands to receive a formal apology from the Federal Government for abuse and neglect suffered as a child while in institutional and foster care.Families Minister Jenny Macklin said a statement acknowledging and apologising to "forgotten Australians" and child migrants, many of whom suffered sexual, psychological and physical abuse while in the care of government institutions, church organisations and foster care, would be issued by the Government by the end of the year.
Kevin Rudd says sorry to the Forgotten Australians Geoff Meyers, 73, was made a ward of the state when he was 18 months old after being abandoned by his mother. Over the next 17 years he was shuffled from one institution and foster home to another.During this time he was sexually and emotionally abused, bashed, told he was "garbage" and locked in a cupboard for days without food.Ms Macklin said the level of abuse and neglect had been "unacceptable" and it was time to issue a formal apology.The apology, which may be delivered jointly by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull, follows two Senate inquiries, both of which recorded horrific abuse and neglect of children.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 from 1920 to 1980 - 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.It recommended state governments, churches and other agencies say sorry for the harm caused and called for a national fund for victims of abuse.Mr Meyers said the Government's announcement of an apology would help the healing process."It's a wonderful thing, not just for me; but for the thousands of others who have been holding this within themselves," he said. "When Rudd says sorry, I think it's going to be a big, big relief for a lot of people. It will take some of the burden out of their body."
