Legislation introduced for National Redress Scheme

The Australian Government today introduced legislation to create the National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

The scheme will begin on 1 July 2018, subject to passage of legislation, providing:

• access to psychological counselling
• a direct personal response from the responsible institution for people who want it
• a monetary payment.

If all states and institutions across Australia opt in, the scheme could provide redress to around 60,000 people estimated by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse to have been abused in institutions.

Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan said the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Bill 2018 would establish the legal framework for a nationally consistent scheme.

“The establishment of the scheme is an acknowledgement by the Australian Government and participating governments that sexual abuse suffered by children in institutional settings was wrong. It was a betrayal of trust. It should never have happened,” Mr Tehan said.

“The establishment of a National Redress Scheme acknowledges this is the most significant step in addressing past wrongs and providing a just response to survivors.

“The Government continues to work with the states, churches and charities that are yet to join the Redress Scheme.”

Support services are available to help people who are considering applying for redress.