We've been talking this week about stolen childhoods... Particularly those half million Australians who suffered abuse in institutional care, and lost the innocence and joy of childhood. The federal government is considering an official apology to that generation of people, similar to the apology to the Stolen Generation in 2008.

We also talked this week about Michael Jackson - many say his childhood was stolen from him, after he was thrust into the spotlight at such a young age, with pressures on him that only an adult should have to deal with.

Now let's hear from you on this topic.

• If you were a ward of the state or were raised in an orphanage or foster care type setting, I'd really love to hear from you. Tell us about your experiences - Was it a good experience, or did you suffer?

• Even if you were treated well, did the experience of being separated from parents and siblings, have a detrimental affect alone?

• If you suffered abuse, what do you think of this call for an apology. What would an official apology from the Government, mean to you?

• Would it help you to have this issue out in the open and in the public awareness?
 
• Perhaps you know someone who was raised in some sort of care outside their own family, or who lost their childhood to some extent.

• What have you observed in that person? Do they have some of those struggles that Leonie Sheedy talked about?
 
• What sort of an impact has a stolen childhood had on you or someone you love?