Victorian Government Parliamentary Apology for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse in Government Schools

Jul 29

3 min read

On 30 July 2026, the Victorian Government will deliver a formal Parliamentary Apology to people who experienced child sexual abuse while attending Victorian government schools.

For many survivors, this apology represents an important public acknowledgement of experiences that were ignored, minimised or denied for decades. While an apology cannot undo the harm that occurred, recognition from government can be a meaningful step towards accountability, validation and healing.

Why is this apology taking place?

The apology follows years of advocacy by survivors and recommendations arising from independent inquiries into historical child sexual abuse within Victorian government schools.

It acknowledges that:

Children were sexually abused while attending Victorian government schools.
Government systems failed to protect children.
Many survivors were not believed when they disclosed abuse.
The impacts of childhood sexual abuse have often continued throughout adulthood, affecting physical health, mental health, relationships, education, employment and wellbeing.

The apology also recognises the profound impact experienced by families, loved ones and entire school communities.

The legacy of the Royal Commission

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse heard from more than 8,000 survivors during private sessions between 2013 and 2017.

Its Final Report found that institutional child sexual abuse occurred across many sectors including:

Schools
Religious organisations
Sporting organisations
Residential care
Youth justice
Out-of-home care

The Royal Commission made 409 recommendations designed to improve child safety, increase institutional accountability and better support survivors.

Importantly, the Royal Commission recognised that recovery from childhood trauma is often a lifelong process requiring ongoing access to specialised counselling and support.

Why acknowledgements matter

Many survivors describe never receiving an apology from the institutions responsible for their abuse.

Research consistently shows that genuine acknowledgement can:

validate survivors' experiences
reduce feelings of shame and self-blame
recognise institutional responsibility
help restore trust in public institutions
support healing alongside therapeutic care.

However, every survivor responds differently.

Some people may experience relief or validation.

Others may experience grief, anger, sadness, numbness or unexpected trauma responses.

There is no "right" way to respond.

Watching the Parliamentary Apology

The Parliamentary Apology will be delivered on:

Thursday 30 July 202611:30 am (AEST)

A live stream will be available through the Victorian Parliament website, and a recording will be available afterwards for those who prefer to watch at another time.

Public viewing events have also been organised in several Victorian locations, although registrations have now closed.

Looking after yourself

Events like this can bring up painful memories, even for people who have been in therapy for many years.

If you choose to watch the apology, consider planning some additional support around the day.

This might include:

watching with someone you trust
speaking with your counsellor beforehand
allowing yourself permission to stop watching if it becomes overwhelming
using grounding strategies before and afterwards
planning a quiet afternoon following the apology
reaching out to a support service if needed.

You are under no obligation to watch the apology. Some survivors find it meaningful, while others choose not to engage with it at all.

Both responses are completely valid.

Counselling for survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Healing from complex childhood trauma is rarely about a single event. While public acknowledgement can be significant, recovery often occurs through safe, consistent therapeutic relationships over time.

At Mend Melbourne, I provide specialised counselling for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, including people accessing support through:

National Redress Scheme
Victims of Crime programs
Historical institutional abuse counselling
Private counselling

My approach is guided by the Blue Knot Foundation Practice Guidelines and follows a phased trauma model, focusing first on safety and stabilisation before processing traumatic experiences at a pace that feels manageable for each individual.

Whether you have recently been affected by the Parliamentary Apology or have been carrying these experiences for many years, support is available.

You do not have to navigate this alone.

Need support?

If you have been affected by childhood sexual abuse and would like specialised trauma counselling, you're welcome to contact Mend Melbourne to discuss whether therapy is the right next step for you.

If you require immediate emotional support, contact lifeline, the Blueknot Foundation or call 000.

This article was last updated in July 2026 to reflect the Victorian Government Parliamentary Apology for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools.