Media Release by Senator the Hon Anne Ruston

National Redress Scheme feedback study open as more institutions sign up

A feedback study giving survivors of child sexual abuse a chance to have a say on their experience with the National Redress Scheme is now open.

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the Government has funded the University of New South Wales to conduct the study as part of the second year review.

“We want to hear from survivors to understand what is working and how we can address the challenges and barriers that remain,” Minister Ruston said.

“I encourage survivors, their families and carers, support services and advocacy groups to engage in the process. We want to improve the Scheme and we want to do that together.”

The feedback will assist independent reviewer Ms Robyn Kruk AO to understand people’s experience through the application process as well as understand why people have not applied. The feedback study will close at 11.00pm AEST on 23 October 2020.

It comes as a further 31 institutions have now signed up to the National Redress Scheme including 16 institutions that submitted an intent to join the Scheme prior to the 1 July 2020 deadline.

“I would like to acknowledge the significant number of institutions which committed to join the Scheme and have finalised the on-boarding process, including those not named in the Royal Commission or in an application,” Minister Ruston said.

“I urge other institutions that have submitted their intent to join the Scheme to finalise the process to join the Scheme as soon as possible.”

This announcement means more than 42 applications can now be progressed.

Further information about the second anniversary review and feedback study is available on the website: https://www.nationalredress.gov.au/about/second-anniversary-review

Attachment A – Institutions joining the Scheme

The new non-government institutions that joined the Scheme recently are:

  • Aruma Services (NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC)
  • Anglican Deaconess Ministries (NSW)
  • Central Coast Emergency Accommodation Services (NSW)
  • Churches of Christ in NSW and ACT (NSW, ACT)
  • Eastgate Bible Church (QLD)
  • Eltham College (VIC)
  • Emmanuel Anglican College (NSW)
  • Evangelical Chinese Church (VIC)
  • Faithlife Church (VIC)
  • Heathdale Christian College (VIC)
  • IAM House of Worship (VIC)
  • Legacy Club of Inverell (NSW)
  • Lighthouse Christian Church (NSW)
  • Melbourne Grammar School (VIC)
  • Merrylands Samoan Assemblies of God (NSW)
  • Mission Australia (National)
  • Missionary Society of St Paul (VIC)
  • Norbertine Canons (WA)
  • Perth Revival Church (WA)
  • Queensland Country Women’s Association (QLD)
  • Save the Children Australia (National)
  • Scripture Union NSW (NSW)
  • Scripture Union WA (WA)
  • Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions (VIC)
  • Southern Life Church (NSW)
  • The Ipswich Grammar School (QLD)
  • The Infants’ Home Ashfield (NSW)
  • Tyndale Christian School (NSW)
  • Wanslea (WA)
  • Warrnambool Presbyterian School (VIC)
  • YWCA Australia (National except ACT)

Addition to the A2A Churches participating group include:

  • Momentum Church (QLD)

Additions to the Australian Christian Churches participating group include:

  • Abundant Life Christian Church (NSW)
  • Arise Church (VIC)
  • Bestow Christian Church (VIC)
  • Biloela Assembly of God (QLD)
  • Calvary Christian Church (VIC)
  • Central Hurstville Samoan Assembly of God (NSW)
  • Church of Hope (NSW)
  • Clifton Community Care (QLD)
  • Darling Downs Christian Life Centre (QLD)
  • Destiny Church Caboolture (QLD)
  • Faith Christian Centre (NSW)
  • Gateway to Glory Church VIC)
  • Goulburn Christian Life Centre (NSW)
  • Grace Connect Church (VIC)
  • Granville All Nations Christian Fellowship (NSW)
  • Heart Focus Community Church (VIC)
  • His Mighty Hand Extended International (VIC)
  • Hope City Church (WA)
  • House of Prayer & Evangelical Ministries (NSW)
  • Immanuel Community Christian Church (NSW)
  • Inspire Church Wollongong (NSW)
  • Kujungurrtu Church Assembly of God (WA)
  • Lifesource Church Echuca (VIC)
  • Lifestream Church (QLD)
  • Living Waters Community Church (SA)
  • Loch Alive Christian Centre (VIC)
  • New Covenant Worship Centre (NSW)
  • Normanton Christian Fellowship (QLD)
  • Northern Beaches Community Church (QLD)
  • Northside Family Church (QLD)
  • Oasis Community Services (QLD)
  • Polish Christian Church (SA)
  • Slade Point Christian Life Centre (QLD)
  • Son Rise Church Sydney (NSW)
  • Sonrise Christian Life Centre (WA)
  • Sound City Church, Assembly of God Rockingham (WA)
  • The Freedom Initiative (VIC)
  • The Good Shepherd Christian Church (VIC)
  • The Greek Church of God (NSW)
  • Victory Family Centre (VIC)
  • Vision Pentecostal Church of Community (VIC)

Additions to the C3 Churches participating group include:

  • Christian City Church Port City (NSW)
  • Local Community Church (WA)

Addition to the Churches of Christ participating group include:

  • Thornton Church of Christ (NSW)

Addition to the CRC Churches participating group include:

  • Cairns Family Church (QLD)
  • Centre Life Church (NSW)
  • The Overflow (SA)

Additions to the Ministers Fellowship International participating group include:

  • CityLight Church (TAS)
  • Southern Christian College (TAS)

Addition to the Youth With A Mission participating group include:

  • Youth With A Mission Newcastle (NSW)

Additions to the Anglican Church in Australia participating group include:

  • All Souls St Gabriel School (QLD)
  • Caulfield Grammar School (VIC)
  • Mission to Seafarers Eden (NSW)
  • Society of St Francis Association (VIC)
  • The Australian Council of the Mission to Seafarers (NSW)
  • Peninsula Grammar School (VIC)
  • Trinity Anglican School (QLD)

Additions to the Baptist Churches of Victoria participating group include:

  • East Camberwell Baptist Church (VIC)
  • Melbourne Chinese Baptist Church (VIC)
  • Point Cook Community Baptist Church (VIC)

Additions to the Christian Brothers participating group include:

  • Edmund Rice Education Australia (VIC)
  • Trustees of Edmund Rice Education Australia (VIC)

Additions to the Sisters of Mercy Australia and Papua New Guinea participating group include:

  • Fraynework Ltd
  • McAuley Community Services for Women Ltd
  • McAuley Ministries Ltd
  • Mercy Aged and Community Care Ltd
  • Mercy Connect Limited
  • Mercy Education Ltd
  • Mercy Palliative Care Ltd
  • Mercy Services Ltd
  • Mercy Works Ltd
  • Rice Village Ltd
  • St Brigids Convent of Mercy Perth Ltd
  • Mercy Private Hospital
  • Mt Alvernia Mercy Hospital
  • Diamond Valley Mercy Hospital
  • Eventide Mercy Hostel
  • St Ann’s College
  • Mercy Community Care Service – Toronto
  • Mercy Community Care Service – Tighes Hill

Additions to the Uniting Church in Australia participating group include:

  • The Frederick Marsden Youth Centre