A welcome apology but meaningful change must follow

Through our work, we support many adults living with the long-term impact of childhood abuse. We see every day how difficult it can be to access the right support, and how often survivors face barriers to being heard, believed, and properly supported.

While an apology cannot change the past, recognising these failings is a significant step in ensuring better outcomes for the future. We hope it leads to meaningful improvements in trauma-informed care, ensuring survivors receive the understanding, compassion, and long-term support they deserve.

We also, sadly, repeatedly see that there is a widescale lack of support for children who do make disclosures at a young age of their abuse or who are known to have experienced the trauma of abuse or neglect. We would also welcome a similar acknowledgement of that issue and a meaningful plan to find a solution.