National Redress Scheme opens for victims of institutional child sexual abuse

The National Redress Scheme was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

What remedies are available?

The National Redress Scheme may assist in providing various remedies, including:

• Counselling;
• a Redress payment; and
• a direct personal response from an institution (eg. an apology).

A payment through the National Redress Scheme is not ‘common law’ damages or compensation. The redress payment will not include any amount for loss of income or pain and suffering. It is a payment to acknowledge the impact of institutional child sexual abuse on you.

Who can apply?

Generally, a person can apply if they:

• experienced institutional child sexual abuse before 1 July 2018; and
• are aged over 18 or will turn 18 before 30 June 2028; and
• are an Australian citizen or permanent resident; and
• are applying about an institution that has joined the National Redress Scheme; and
• apply between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2027.

Are there any restrictions?

Restrictions may apply if the institution where the abuse occurred has not ‘signed up’ to the Redress Scheme. Further preclusions may also apply if a person has previously received a payment for abuse, or if they are in gaol (although you can apply once you are released) or have been sentenced to a period of more than 5 years imprisonment.

Applications can be lodged by the affected person, or their nominee, including their lawyer.

At Hall Payne Lawyers, we have a team who understand the difficulties you are facing and who are here to help you access compensation for your harm. Our lawyers will work with you in a supportive and compassionate manner to make sure the compensation process is as simple as possible, and will strive to obtain the outcomes that truly matter to you.

Get help from an abuse lawyer 

If you’d like assistance or more information about the National Redress Scheme, please feel free to contact today’s blog writer, Senior Associate, Megan Stanley.