Politicians reduced to tears over MP’s sister’s horrific foster care abuse

Politicians were reduced to tears in parliament on Thursday as they discussed the bravery of sexual abuse survivors coming forward to tell their stories, before an MP got an emotional response as he shared a horrific story of his sister being abused in foster care.

Labor leader Bill Shorten at one point comforted colleague Jenny Macklin by taking her hand as she broke down in tears while praising the brave survivors who shared their stories with the royal commission.

But it was Liberal MP Steve Irons’ devastating story that touched everyone in the room, as he shared personal memories with all sides of politics.

According to multiple news outlets, Irons only recently discovered the unmarked grave of his sister Jennifer, after she died at the age of 12 while under the care of an institution. Both siblings were put into care as kids, before Jennifer went on to fall victim to horrific sexual and physical abuse.

“She was systematically put through foster care homes and sexually and physically abused during her time in foster care homes,” he reportedly told parliament, according to AAP.

JMac. Superstar. https://t.co/rsgxw03JI2

— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) May 24, 2018

Read more: Child sex abuse case leaves emotional Ray Hadley struggling to speak

She sadly died in a hit and run, but while their mother never paid for a gravestone at the time, Irons has since marked it with the headstone.

“There are so many stories like that around Australia, it affects all of us,” he reportedly added. 

https://twitter.com/ellinghausen/status/999474563950919680

He, as well as Jenny, were speaking as part of a debate to establish a national redress scheme for victims of institutional child sexual abuse. After hearing his words, Jenny is said to have got up to hug him across the room.

That came shortly after she herself broke down while speaking about the horrific crimes. She is said to have told parliament: “I want to say loud and clear that I believe you … and I say this so sharply but also so sadly because for years these survivors were not believed.”

Shorten also praised the survivors who had chosen to speak out. The scheme is due to be rolled out on July 1, with South Australia and Western Australia reportedly the only states yet to sign up.

Read more: Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson guilty of concealing child sex abuse

According to the government’s official website, the Redress Scheme “will provide support to people who were sexually abused as children while in the care of an institution.

“The plan to have a Redress Scheme came from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. It is one way the government is working to acknowledge and help people who experienced child sexual abuse.”

Have you been following the national redress scheme discussions?