Australia apologizes for decades of child abuse

Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd has apologised to thousands of people, some British migrants, who were abused or neglected in state care as children.



Some 500,000 Australians were reportedly abused or neglected in orphanages and children\'s homes from 1930-1970.



In his apology, Mr. Rudd said he was deeply sorry for the pain caused to the children and their extended families.



Mr. Rudd\'s speech comes after his formal apology last year to Australia\'s Aboriginal community.



He also offered an apology to child migrants taken from the UK to Australia after the war, often without their parents\' consent.



Meanwhile, the UK government said the British Prime Minister will apologize for the forced migration policy next year.



Under the Child Migrants Programme, which ended just 40 years ago, the UK sent poor children to Australia, Canada and elsewhere.



In many cases the children were educated only for farm work, and suffered cruelty and hardship including physical, psychological and sexual abuse.