Last Friday’s announcement New South Wales had joined the National Redress Scheme covering about 9000 people who were abused in our state government institutions is welcome news to survivors according to Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker.
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It also paves the way for an estimated 11,000 people abused in NSW non-government institutions to access the Redress Scheme.
About 1000 people abused in institutions under the Commonwealth’s responsibility will also be covered.
The scheme will launch on July 1, 2018, and offer access to psychological counselling, a direct personal response from the responsible institution, and a monetary payment.
“For too long, child sexual abuse was covered up or ignored by institutions that were supposed to be looking after our nation’s children,” Mr Hartsuyker said. “The Redress Scheme is based on the strong belief that organisations must take responsibility for abuse that happened on their watch, and pay for the cost of providing redress.”
Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan said having NSW and Victoria join the scheme was a significant step towards delivering it nationally.
“We want all governments, churches, charities and other non-government organisations to join the Redress Scheme. If that happens, up to 60,000 people will be able to access redress,” Mr Tehan said.
People can contact support services provided as part of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Those who need immediate assistance should contact: Lifeline on 13 11 14; 1800Respect on 1800 737 732; Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380, or MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978.
Information about the scheme is available at dss.gov.au/redress. Application process information will be available before the scheme starts. People who need support now can contact the support services established by the Royal Commission available on its website at childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/
