Victorian government to apologise to victims of sexual abuse at state schools later this year

Glen Fearnett, who has been calling for recognition of victim-survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, says he is ‘thrilled’ a state government apology will be made. Photograph: Ellen Smith/The Guardian

The Andrews government has committed to formally apologising to victim-survivors of child sexual abuse in Victorian public schools.

After the death of cardinal George Pell, former students who suffered abuse at the hands of paedophile teachers in state schools in the 1970s renewed their push for formal recognition by the Victorian government.