South Australia's government has formally apologised to state wards who were sexually abused.
SA Premier Mike Rann told parliament on Tuesday, the findings of the Mullighan inquiry were "nothing less than shocking".
Former Supreme Court judge Ted Mullighan headed a three-year inquiry, hearing from 792 state wards who said they had been sexually abused by 1,733 alleged perpetrators from the 1930s to the present.
On Tuesday, Mr Rann read a shared apology, signed by the government and the Anglican, Catholic, Uniting and Lutheran churches.
"We, the government of South Australia and the churches recognise that some children and young people who were placed in our care suffered abuse that has impacted their lives," Mr Rann said.
"This should never have happened.
"We are sorry and we express deep regret for the pain and the hurt that they experienced through no fault of their own.
"To all those who experienced abuse in state care, we are sorry.
"To those who witnessed these abuses, we say sorry.
"To those who were not believed, when trying to report these abuses, we say sorry."