Monday, August 30, 2004

Apologise to children abused in care: report

A Senate report on children placed in institutional care has called for the Federal Government to apologise to those who were harmed by their experience.

The report has also recommended a fund be set up, with contributions from the states and the churches, so children who suffered abuse can claim compensation outside the court system.

Committee chair, Labor's Jan McLucas, says the report calls for an independent review body to investigate complaints.

She has told the Senate that in the meantime groups involved in providing institutional care should be more transparent.

"We have called on the churches and other care providing organisations to open their books and to allow care leavers all the information which has been collected about them," she said.

"We have said if this does not occur then the only course of action is for the Federal Government to implement a royal commission."

By Just Us 30 August 04

Related:

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A Cure For Violence and Domestic Violence simple as ABC.

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Children in refugee detention links:

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Australian Govt human rights record 'worsening'
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Here is a new project
1. Do you believe it is right to imprison innocent children?
2. Do you believe it is right to imprison innocent women?
3. Do you believe it is right to imprison innocent people?