The National Redress Scheme is providing support to people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse by providing access to counselling, a direct personal response and a redress payment.
Non-government institutions are encouraged to join the scheme quickly so that people who have experienced institutional child abuse can have access to the scheme.
Launched on 1 July 2018, the scheme is voluntary and will run for 10 years.
The Federal Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher told the ABC, ‘At the moment about 50 per cent of the applications that have been received from survivors relate to institutions that are not yet within the scheme.’
‘I encourage the other churches, sporting clubs and organisations to finalise the process and join the National Redress Scheme as quickly as possible,’ says Fletcher.
‘A number, quite a number, have said they intend to join but we need to turn words into action because until an institution joins somebody who suffered child sexual abuse at the hands of that institution cannot have their claim finalised.’
Participants are eligible for up to $150,000 in compensation and payments of up to $5000 for counselling and psychological services.
If an eligible person accepts an offer of redress, the responsible institution(s), its officials (other than an official who is an abuser of the person) and its associates will be released from all civil liability for abuse of the person that is within the scope of the scheme.
Contact redressinstitutions@dss.gov.au for further details, including information about and support to join the Scheme.
For more information visit nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377.
