State school abuse victims included in Vic apology

Victim-survivors of child sexual abuse at Victorian public schools will be included in a formal apology to state parliament, following fresh calls since the death and funeral last week of Cardinal George Pell.

The Victorian government's apology to children abused in institutional care, slated for later this year, will recognise those who suffered harm in state schools, Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed on Sunday.

A formal apology on behalf of the government was promised late last year as part of a redress scheme for people who suffered abuse or neglect while at Victorian orphanages, children's homes and missions from 1928 to 1990.

When announced, the Andrews government said the apology would be directed at "survivors of all forms of abuse in institutional settings".

But it did not specifically reference victim-survivors from state schools, who are covered by a federal redress scheme. 

Mr Andrews denied they were originally excluded from the apology.

"If there has been any confusion or if there's been a sense by any of those victim-survivors or their carers, families, advocates that they were not included in the spirit of the apology ... then I'm very sorry about that," he told reporters.

Former premier Steve Bracks issued a formal apology to a cohort dubbed "Forgotten Australians" in 2006, while a national apology recognised institutional sex abuse victims and survivors in 2018 following a royal commission.

But Victoria remains one of the few Australians jurisdictions yet to formally apologise to sexual abuse survivors from government schools, with former Justice Party MP Stuart Grimley calling for that to change last year.

On Monday, Mr Andrews will meet with several government school abuse survivors, including former Beaumaris Primary School student Glen Fearnett who was allegedly abused by a teacher in the 1970s.

"They've told their story, they've advocated and I'm looking forward to hearing from them," he said.

"It's only through listening, and then acting and believing victim-survivors that we can hope to make sure that we don't see a repeat of this evil sort of behaviour."

A date for the apology and its exact wording will be led by consultation with victim-survivors, the premier said.

"We need to make sure that there's the best possible opportunity for as many people to be a part of that," Mr Andrews added.

"It's about recognition that so many Victorians carry the burden of that terrible, terrible experience with them every single day."

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636