Prime Minister Scott Morrison gave an historic national apology in Parliament to the abused survivors and victims of child sexual abuse yesterday.
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Victim advocate Whitlam MP Stephen Jones and Catholic Diocese of Wollongong Bishop Brian Mascord welcomed the apology.
But one abuse survivor from Boys Town said the apology could not “close a broken wound”.
Mr Morrison said "sorry” to all those who had been impacted by institutional abuse.
"To the children we failed, sorry," he said. “To the parents whose trust was betrayed and who have struggled to pick up the pieces, sorry. To the whistleblowers, who we did not listen to, sorry.
“To the spouses, partners, wives, husbands, children, who have dealt with the consequences of the abuse, cover-ups and obstruction, sorry. To generations past and present, sorry.”
The apology was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Darcy Toner was nine years old when he was allegedly raped by a Catholic brother.
He was left at Engadine's Boys Town in 1942 after his professional boxer father was unable to pursue his career and care for him at the same time.
Mr Toner spoke to the Mercury about the torture earlier.
He said he was locked in a linen room cupboard for 48 hours and was repeatedly sexually abused and belted black and blue.
The now 84-year-old said the apology was a “gutless idea” by the politicians in a bid to win votes.
“I don't accept the apology," Mr Toner said. “It is not worth a cent to me.
"The memories are always there. The apology can't take away my memories. I am still a victim.”
Mr Jones spoke to the Mercury in 2016 about Edmund Rice College being a "dumping ground” for sexual predators in the 1980s.
The former school captain said the paedophiles’ crimes were overlooked by those who could have ended the abuse.
"The apology has been a long time coming for me and I welcome it," Mr Jones said. “The Prime Minister did a good job.
"The apology was heartfelt. To the victims, the Prime Minister said 'I believe you, it happened, I am sorry and we will do what we can to help you on your journey of recovery'.
“The Prime Minister said changes would be made so there could not be another generation of child sex abuse victims.”
Mr Jones said the overwhelming feeling of the 800 people who travelled to Canberra to hear the apology was one of thanks and they thought it was a good step forward.
“The apology can not be a last step in the process," he said.
Catholic Diocese of Wollongong Bishop Brian Mascord said he was pleased the apology took place because it "recognised the immense courage of survivors who told their story".
"There can’t be any ‘buts’," he said. “The apology had to be an honest recognition that the voices of victims have been heard and believed.”
Bishop Mascord said "sorry” on behalf of the Diocese.
“The Wollongong Diocese has said sorry on a number of occasions and we regret the things that happened," he said.
"Today (Monday) is a sad day.”
Anna Tydd worked on the royal commission for five years and now works for the Wollongong Diocese.
"The first step was when the victims and survivors came forward with their stories, then there was the royal commission and the national apology,” she said.
“We acknowledge the struggle and strength victims have endured for a long time.”