Eight Years On: Remembering the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

Eight years after the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, the Uniting Church in Australia joins communities across the nation in remembering the courage of survivors and renewing its commitment to truth-telling, justice, healing and reform.

To mark the anniversary, the Assembly has released a liturgy for congregations and communities, alongside a statement from President Rev Charissa Suli, inviting the Church to reflect on the lasting significance of the Apology and the ongoing responsibility to listen, learn and act.

To mark the Anniversary, the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly has released a worship liturgy and a statement. Find these resources below.

Statement on the Seventh Anniversary of the National Apology to Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse

22 October 2025

As we approach the anniversary of the National Apology to Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse on 22 October, my heart turns to the voices of survivors. Their courage continues to shape us. Their pain and truth remind us that while important steps have been taken, there is still such a long way to go.

As a Church we remain we remain committed to righting the wrongs of the past and to learning from every survivor who comes forward. Ten years have passed since the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse reported on Redress and Civil Litigation. Its call still resounds.  We continue to participate proactively in the National Redress Scheme. Each application is a sacred moment of truth-telling and learning, and we thank every person who chooses to come forward and share their story.

I remind our communities that the National Redress Scheme will close on 30 June 2027. If you believe you may be eligible, I urge you to contact the Scheme so that you do not miss this deadline. For those who have already received a redress payment, know that we stand ready to offer an apology when you are ready to meet with us. You will be received with compassion, dignity and respect. You are in control of the process, and you can take the time you need.

Safeguarding children is not a task that is ever “finished”. It is a lifelong journey of vigilance, learning and improvement as we embed a culture of safeguarding. Across the Church, in our schools, agencies and congregations, we are working to strengthen training for staff and volunteers, to ensure safe recruitment, to make clear and accessible pathways for children and community members to raise their voices when something is wrong, and to respond with care and justice when harm occurs. Those who raise concerns in good faith will always be supported, and we will always act to protect children.

This year, the Assembly has made a Liturgy of Lament available for all congregations to mark the anniversary. It has been prepared through a trauma-informed lens. To pray these words may be confronting and painful, yet we must face the discomfort. For in that place we hear the echo of survivor voices that cry out with clarity: never again.

While we may never be able to remove every risk, we can commit ourselves each day to doing all that we can to make our communities places of safety, care and trust for children and young people.

This is our sacred responsibility, our unshakeable commitment, and part of the “Threads of Love” we are called to weave across our Church.

Rev Charissa Suli
President, Uniting Church in Australia

View and download the President's Prayer

Download the Liturgy