Survivors of institutional child sexual abuse are now able to access the National Redress Scheme from this month.
Up to 60,000 survivors may be eligible to make their claim, which can include a monetary compensation payment, access to counselling or a personal response, such as an apology, from the responsible institution. Survivors can apply from July 1, either through a paper form or online platform.
Who can apply?
- People sexually abused as children in an institution before 1 July 2018.
- The institution or organisation responsible for the abuse must have joined the national redress scheme.
- Were born before 30 June 2010.
- Must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
- Children may apply for redress but their application won’t be determined until they turn 18.
Payments will be on a case-by-case basis, reflecting the severity and impact of the abuse. The Federal Government has committed to a cap of $150,000 payout and estimates the average payout will be $76,000.
Survivors in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia won’t have their applications assessed until legislation has been passed in those states allowing the scheme to operate there.
Applications can be made but won’t be assessed until the relevant institution has formally joined the scheme.
The establishment of the almost $4 billion dollar Scheme was recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Scheme is one way Australian governments are working to acknowledge, help and support people who experienced child sexual abuse. The scheme started on 1 July 2018, and will run for 10 years with all states and territories agreed to have joined.
Support services:
drummond st services inc, Victoria
Specialist recovery and wellness services including counselling and support for people who have experienced child sexual abuse.
Phone: (03) 9663 6733
Type of support: Counselling, Face-to-face support
Interrelate Family Centres, New South Wales
Community based, not-for-profit organisation with a network of counselling centres across metropolitan, regional and rural New South Wales.
Phone: 1300 473 528
Type of support: Counselling, Face-to-face support
Relationships Australia NSW and ACT, Australian Capital Territory New South Wales
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services.
Phone: 1300 364 277 / (02) 6122 7190
Type of support: Counselling, Face-to-face support
Relationships Australia QLD, Queensland
Support, information and referral, and counselling for people who have experienced child sexual abuse.
Phone: 1300 364 277 / 1800 552 127
Type of support: Counselling, Face-to-face support
Relationships Australia South Australia, South Australia
Support, information and referral, and counselling for people who have experienced child sexual abuse
Phone: 1800 182 325 (Free Call) / 1300 364 277
Type of support: Counselling, Face-to-face support
Relationships Australia Tasmania, Tasmania
Support, information and referral, and counselling for people who have experienced child sexual abuse
Phone: 1300 364 277
Type of support: Counselling, Face-to-face support
Relationships Australia VIC, Victoria
Support, information and referral, and counselling for people who have experienced child sexual abuse.
Phone: 1800 052 674 / 1300 364 277
Type of support: Counselling, Face-to-face support
Relationships Australia WA, Western Australia
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services.
Phone: 1300 364 277
Type of support: Counselling, Face-to-face support
Click here to view a full list of support services.
For more information visit the National Redress Scheme website or call on 1800 737 377.
