Orphaned children in care abused, beaten

VULNERABLE children in Victorian state institutions were treated "as things, not human beings", a disturbing new report reveals.

Children were beaten, sexually abused and neglected by their carers, a study of 77 residents in state orphanages and foster homes from the 1920s to the 1970s shows.

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare report calls for a statewide reparation scheme.

In four other states, about $20 million has been paid in compensation to victims.

In the report, released yesterday, one former resident said his childhood was "brutal, violent, awful, traumatic, cruel".

Another said he was "repeatedly beaten with cane and strap, and subjected to sexual abuse".