Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697633858335.pdf (Australia)
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I was born in 1967.

At a very young age, I was placed in an My name is orphanage in Sydney called Scarba Welfare House for Children (The Benevolent Society), by my father.

He placed myself and my twin sister there as he was on his own and had no help to look after us whilst he was at work.

Although only a small child, I had little contact with my father and he was even advised that it would not be a good idea to visit me too often.
In that time as a child I was completely vulnerable to any abuse suffered to me.

I have had many confusing times in my childhood, as a teenager and as an adult.

I have experienced anger problems and learning difficulties and it is only in the last four years that I have been diagnosed with depression and more recently discovered I was in fact dyslexic.

Four years ago I attempted suicide and spent 6 weeks in psychiatric hospitals.
I have sought professional counseling and continue to see my psychiatrist today.

I take anti-depressant drugs and will probably do so for the remainder of my life.

I, more fortunately than others, have come through the other side I believe.

I have fought and fought hard so that today I am able to run a successful roof tiling company and employ 4 staff.

I am a family man with 2 beautiful children aged 7 and 9 and wife and partner of 23 years.
I blame most of my mental health on the emotional abuse, physical and sexual abuse I experienced as a child whilst at Scarba House!

I have read many extracts of the condition of care at Scarba House; most importantly the severe lack of care given to the children staying at Scarba House at the time I was there.

My enquiries as to the goings on at Scarba House have helped to explain a lot of the emotional scars I carry.

I feel betrayed and isolated and feelings of anxiety.
I feel disgusted, angry, resentful and violated for the injustice done to myself and many others.

I feel the need to express my disgust and abhorrence for the inadequate care I received as a child at Scarba House, for the abuse, mistreatment and harm suffered to me!

I strongly know that I did not receive the consistent, loving care that I needed and deserved as a child in the care of Scarba House.

I request a response to my complaints and I also request access to a redress scheme.
I believe that the Victorian and NSW Governments want to deafen those that were affected by making it next to impossible by making us go through the court process; fobbing us off with a few basic services instead of paying for what we really need.

I would like to acknowledgement that I am telling the truth about my abuse in ‘care’ and I want the authorities to follow up in pursuing the abusers.
I feel a need to be compensated for the neglect, abuse, educational, emotional and psychological damage I suffered as a child whilst in ‘care’.

This year we received an apology from the Federal Government of Australia towards the Forgotten Australians.

I believe the word “sorry” to mean “distressed or full of regret or shame, especially over something that one has done or said” (definition taken from the “The Chambers 21st Century Dictionary 1996”).
A Federal apology should be backed up by all the States of Australia.

We are all Australians and we should all be treated equally and it should not depend on what State we grew up in.

We need the Australian Government to show leadership and make all States contribute to a National scheme.

If the Federal Government is “distressed or full of regret….over something that one has done” then that includes holding those governing bodies responsible for the care of the children involved.
The many churches and charities need to be made accountable for the mistakes and horrors suffered to the children in their care and be made to contribute to a National scheme.

They were part of the problem and should be part of the solution!

I would also like to express my many thanks to the Federal Government for the recent National Apology on 16 November 2009 for Forgotten Australians.

This has contributed towards the healing of my life.
I was indeed proud to be an Australian when attending Parliament on this momentous day.

Please make it possible to complete what has been started and Australian history will show these decisions to be full of courage, hope and compassion.

Regards