Victoria’s new Premier Ben Carroll issues apology to victim-survivors of sex abuse in government schools

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Children left unprotected and vulnerable to sexual abuse have received a landmark apology for decades of mistreatment at government schools.

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll delivered the apology in parliament on behalf of the state government on Thursday, as promised in response to an inquiry into historical abuse.

Mr Carroll, who also serves as education minister, reflected on decades of abuse and neglect under the government’s watch.

“Today, we offer our formal and sincere apology to every person who was sexually abused as a student of a Victorian government school,” he told the house.

“We failed to protect you. We failed to listen when you tried to disclose or explain what was done to you. We failed to act with urgency, responsibility, and care that you deserved.”

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said Victorian schools had betrayed the trust placed in them by families to keep their children safe.

“It was betrayed in the most profound and life-altering of ways,” she said.

She cited recent allegations of sexual abuse at Victorian childcare centres as proof child safety failures continue to this day.

“The details differ from the historical child sexual abuse for which we apologise today,” she said.

“But the pattern does not.”

Victim-survivors were in the chamber to hear the apology, including those whose advocacy led to the establishment of a board of inquiry into historical abuse at government schools.

Chaired by Kathleen Foley SC, it heard from about 120 victims and affected community members.

Its 2024 final report found perpetrators took advantage of weak regulations and a cover-up culture.

The state government accepted all nine of its recommendations, including the parliamentary apology and a truth-telling and accountability process.

Opposition education spokesperson Brad Rowswell said offences committed at government schools were as great, if not greater, than those at other institutions.

Mr Rowswell, who has played a leading role in seeking recognition for school abuse victim-survivors, said the apology was only a starting point.

“From this point, every one of us must be judged solely on our actions,” he said.

Thursday’s apology coincided with an announcement from law firm Arnold Thomas and Becker that it was investigating abuse allegations on behalf of more than 600 former students from 350 Victorian schools.

It claimed hundreds of additional survivors had come forward since it first published a list of schools linked to its investigations in September 2023.

While the claims stretch back to the 1950s, some concern abuse alleged to have occurred as recently as 2024.

“We’ve been shocked to find that we are not only hearing historical allegations,” said Kim Price, head of the firm’s institutional abuse practice.

Some 483 civil claims were made over alleged historical child sexual abuse in Victorian public schools prior to 2000, according to a systemic review published in March.

A total of 195 government school employees had been named in those claims, across all levels of seniority, and were rarely dismissed for those offences, instead often being allowed to transfer to other schools.

The review affirmed the key findings of the earlier board of inquiry, again identifying a culture that prioritised the education system’s reputation over the safety of children.

The Victorian government has implemented a raft of reforms to improve student safety at public schools in recent decades.

These include supports for survivors, stricter vetting and checks for school staff, stronger reporting pathways and mandatory school safety standards.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.