Yesterday, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison stood in Parliament and apologised, on behalf of all Australians, to the many tens of thousands of people who were cruelly and ruthlessly abused inside the very institutions where children should have been safe.

So too did the leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten

 It’s so important for victims to have their stories believed, their pain and suffering properly acknowledged, and the offences openly and accurately recognised.

We say, at last as a nation, that we hear you, that we acknowledge the hurt and empathise with your pain, and that we are committed not to acquiesce in silence again.

We acknowledge such words are late, coming as they do decades – generations – after the event, and that so many survivors endured tremendous psychological damage while the nation and its leaders said nothing.

Read more: National apology to victims of abuse

We acknowledge the criminally laggard manner in which governments and private institutions have approached the issue.

National inquiries in 1997, 2004 and again in 2005 identified instances of abuse but failed to expose just how pervasive and systemic it was within schools, churches, orphanages, ‘‘care’’ centres, youth organisations and more.

It was only through journalists’ work and the persistence of the McClellan royal commission, which delivered its final report 11 months ago, that Australians could no longer ignore what was going on.

The commission recommended oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse, extensive community prevention strategies, education for children and parents, social awareness and risk-awareness strategies, and more.

A national apology by itself cannot heal, and it may not bring closure.

It is, though, a moment of humility to be shared by the nation, a form of giving back to the victims and their families who had so much taken away from them.

Do not let the apology go unmarked.  Take time to reflect, and fully commit to change.

Do you have something to say on an issue? Send us a letter to the editor Letters must carry the name, full address and  telephone number of the author. The writer’s name and suburb/town will be published. Letters may be edited for space, accuracy, clarity and legal reasons.  Letters which are deemed inappropriate will not be published.Send letters to Bendigo Advertiser, PO Box 61, Bendigo 3552 or at bendigoadvertiser.com.au

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.