Parliamentary Apology to victims and survivors of historical child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools

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This page contains information relating to historical child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools.

The Victorian Government will formally apologise in Parliament to victims and survivors who experienced historical child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools.

The Parliamentary apology will acknowledge the harm experienced by victims and survivors, their families, loved ones, supporters and affected school communities. It will recognise the failures that allowed abuse to occur, and the lasting impacts this has had on many people, families, loved ones and communities.

The apology will take place on Thursday 30 July 2026 at 11.30am.

Attending an apology event

Victim-survivors, families, loved ones, supporters, advocates and affected community are invited to attend a public apology event.

Public apology events will be held in:

  • Melbourne CBD
  • Wodonga
  • Horsham
  • Morwell
  • Ballarat

Public events will include a livestream of the apology from Parliament House and refreshments.

We recognise that the apology may bring up strong feelings or difficult memories for victim-survivors, families, loved ones, supporters and impacted communities. Wellbeing support will be available for people attending apology events.

The Department of Education is working to make all apology events safe, accessible and respectful for people who wish to attend. Travel and accommodation assistance may be available for people with accessibility needs.

Registration to attend an apology event will open shortly. A link to an online registration form will be published on this webpage once available.

Watching the apology

A link to the livestream of the Parliamentary apology will be available on the Parliament House website on the day of the apology: Parliamentary activity - Parliament of Victoria.

More information

For enquiries about the apology, contact:

Department of Education Restorative Engagement and Support team

Email: Apology@education.vic.gov.au
Phone: 03 9057 4500
Text: 0473 847 503 for a call back

For information and support for victim-survivors of historical child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools, visit Victim-survivor support for former students.

For information about the Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools and progress updates on the Victorian government’s implementation of the recommendations made, see Victorian Government response to the Board of Inquiry.

Support now

If this information raises concerns for you, support is available through the community support services listed below.

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