National Redress Scheme
In July 2018, the National Redress Scheme was established to provide support and payment to people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse. The National Redress Scheme was developed based on the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
SASS can help you to access the National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme can help you get access to three things:
- counselling
- assistance in applying for a Redress payment, and
- assistance in applying for direct personal response from an institution (e.g an apology).
If you receive an offer of redress, you can accept any or all of these things. This is your choice.
Who can apply to the National Redress Scheme?
You can apply to the National Redress Scheme if:
- you experienced sexual abuse when you were a child (under 18 years of age) and you were born before 30 June 2010
- the abuse happened before 1 July 2018
- an institution was responsible for bringing you into contact with the person who abused you*
- at the time you apply, you are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident
Please seek further information from us if you:
- were abused in an institution that hasn’t joined the National Redress Scheme
- are currently under 18 years of age
- have ever been sentenced to more than 5 years in jail
- have already received a payment related to the abuse
* When is an organisation responsible?
For you to access redress, the institution responsible for the abuse must have joined the National Redress Scheme.
The National Redress Scheme holds institutions accountable for child sexual abuse. For example, while in the care of an institution, child sexual abuse occurred:
- on the premises of an institution, such as a school, a church, a club, an orphanage or children’s home
- where activities of an institution take place, such as a camp or a sporting facility
- or by an official of an institution, such as a teacher, a religious figure like a priest or nun, a coach or camp leader
What are the next steps?
We offer free confidential services across all regions of Tasmania including to help people engage with the National Redress Scheme. This includes:
- information about the National Redress Scheme
- explanation on what to expect through the application process
- assistance to complete the Scheme’s application form and support through the application process
- assistance to access other appropriate services such as legal and financial counselling or other community services
- trauma-informed support delivered face-to-face and over the phone assistance to understand a redress outcome
- support to request a direct personal response from the institution
How is this service delivered?
The Redress Support Service is offered face to face, with telephone and outreach options also available.
Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS), Relationships Australia, and SETAC all deliver redress support in Tasmania and work together to support people engaging in the Scheme.
SASS service areas include:
- Southern Tasmania
- North West Tasmania
- West Coast of Tasmania
- East Coast of Tasmania
- Central Highlands and Southern Midlands
- King Island
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