An Apology and National Redress Program for Abuse?

[RememberSchiff]

CANBERRA, Australia --

The organisation has admitted they did not listen when some victims came forward.

"We failed you, and we apologise for the pain that this has caused," Scouts chief commissioner Phil Harrison said.

"Scouting sincerely hopes that the apology will help those who suffered through their time in Scouting, as well as their families who have also been affected," ... "The apology is a genuine and heartfelt admission that, for some young people, their time in Scouting was a negative experience. For this, we are truly sorry,"  Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner Phil Harrison said in a statement.

Scouts Australia joined a national redress program that was recommended by the royal commission and began on July 1. The plan covers people who were sexually abused as children by institutional figures over decades. Payments are capped at 150,000 Australian dollars ($106,000), with previously received compensation being deducted from any new amount.

Scouts, Young Men's Christian Association, better known as YMCA, Catholic Church, Anglican Church and Salvation Army were among the first organizations to sign up to the government's redress program.

Harrison said Scouts Australia had listened to the royal commission, survivors' groups and individual survivors who have said an apology might help with victims' healing.

Scouts Australia national general manager Cathy Morcom said while scouting organizations in some other countries participated in similar redress programs, she was not aware of any other national organization making a formal apology.

Volunteer Scout leaders must now update their child safety training every three years and the organisation has adopted a National Child Protection Policy.

Scouts also has a "two deep" policy which means leaders are never to be alone with a youth member.

The organisation said they must look to sell some of their scout halls and camps to compensate abuse victims through the redress scheme.

"In some instances, we do need to look at selling our assets," said national coordinator of redress and NSW Scouts chief commissioner Neville Tomkins.

Source with apology: video 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-05/scouts-apology-for-child-sexual-abuse/10341546

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scouts-australia-formally-apologizes-to-sexual-abuse-victims/

Edited October 5, 2018 by RememberSchiff