Formal sorry to child abuse victims
Posted
There will be a formal apology to child abuse victims by the South Australian Parliament. (ABC News: Gary Rivett)
Hundreds of people who were abused as children while in state care will get a formal apology from the South Australian Parliament today.
The Mullighan Inquiry recently exposed hundreds of cases of abuse, some dating back to the 1960s.
Commissioner Ted Mullighan called it a foul undercurrent of abuse in SA institutions.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann will move an apology to the victims in Parliament.
Ki Meekins, who gave evidence to the inquiry, says the apology will mean a great deal to him.
"My first thoughts are major, monumental task for the State Government to actually finally once and for all admit what's going on and actually apologise to the victims," he said.
"At least we've got the Government apologising. At least we've got them now admitting something that for years and years and years has been innuendo."
Mr Meekins says compensation payments capped at $50,000 can never make up for the years of harm.
Victims will attend a ceremony at Old Parliament House in Adelaide after the apology.
