Overview

The National Redress Scheme has been established by the Federal Government in response to recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The Scheme acknowledges that many children were sexually abused in Australian institutions, recognises the suffering endured because of this abuse, and holds institutions accountable for this abuse.

The Scheme will run for 10 years and provides eligible people with access to three elements:

• a redress payment (ranging from less than $10,000 to a maximum of $150,000)
• counselling, and
• a direct personal response from the responsible institution/s.

The Scheme’s Independent Decision Makers assess and decide redress claims, not the Queensland Government or other participating institutions, such as local governments.

Further information about the Scheme is available at www.nationalredress.gov.au

When is an institution responsible

Under the Scheme, an institution is considered responsible for child sexual abuse if it was responsible for the person who abused the child (the abuser) having contact with the child.

Independent Decision Makers will determine responsibility under the Scheme considering factors such as whether:

• the institution was responsible for the day-to-day care or custody of the person
• the institution was the legal guardian of the person
• the institution was responsible for placing the person in the institution
• the abuser was an official of the institution
• the abuse occurred on the institution’s premises or in connection with its activities.

Responsibility will be determined on a case by case basis. An institution may not be found responsible even if one or more of these factors exist, depending on the circumstances. For example, if the only connection to the institution is that the abuse occurred on the premises, the institution that owns the premises is unlikely to be found responsible.

Information for those considering redress

People can choose to apply if they:

- experienced institutional child sexual abuse before 1 July 2018

- are aged over 18 or will turn 18 before 30 June 2028

- are an Australian citizen or permanent resident

- are applying about an institution that has joined the National Redress Scheme, and

- apply between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2027.

People can apply online or in paper form. Paper application forms can be obtained by calling the National Redress Scheme or downloading from their website www.nationalredress.gov.au

Available supports

Free, confidential support services have been set up to help people understand the Scheme and to provide support before, during and after the application process.  A comprehensive list of these support services can be found at https://www.nationalredress.gov.au/support/explore

Queensland Supports include

National Redress Scheme Process

If after reading this information you are experiencing distress you can call 

• Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732
• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
• MensLine on 1300 78 99 78

Or if you would like to talk to someone at Somerset Regional Council about the process, you can request to meet with either our Community Development Coordinator or Youth Engagement Officer.  All discussions will be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality.

Council understands that many children were sexually abused in Australian Institutions and recognises the suffering endured because of this abuse.  Council supports the rights of residents to seek redress and sincerely hopes this never happens in the future, as all children deserve to grow up happy, healthy and safe.