Resources for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse
1. Free legal advice
Know More is an independent service giving free legal advice to assist survivors of institutional child sexual abuse by providing information and advice about the justice or redress options which may be available. Free advice life: 1800 605 762 Mon-Fri, 9am – 5pm. Website: http://knowmore.org.au/.
2. National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme will provide support to people who were sexually abused as children while in the care of an institution.
The establishment of a National Redress Scheme was recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Scheme is one way Australian governments are working to acknowledge and help people who experienced child sexual abuse.
The Scheme will start on 1 July 2018, and will run for 10 years.
It is designed so that relevant organisations take responsibility to make amends for sexual abuse that happened to children they were looking after.
For information about the National Redress Scheme call the National Redress Information Line – 1800 146 713.
The National Redress Scheme website provides information about the scheme which you can find here: https://www.dss.gov.au/national-redress-scheme-for-people-who-have-experienced-institutional-child-sexual-abuse.
3. Support and Counselling
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has a detailed list of National and State support services for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.
You can find a list of support services here: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/contact.
For 24-hour support services please contact:
1800 Respect – Call 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au
24/7 telephone and online crisis support, information and immediate referral to specialist counselling for anyone in Australia who has experienced or been impacted by sexual assault, or domestic or family violence.
Lifeline – Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention
4. State Specific National Redress Scheme Information
ACT
https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_releases/barr/2018/act-to-join-national-redress-scheme-for-abuse-survivors
NSW
http://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/representing/lawassist_avo/lawassist_gettingavo_home/lawassist_victims_compensation.aspx
NT
https://dcm.nt.gov.au/news/2018/june-2018/response-recommendations-rc-institutional-child-sexual-abuse
QLD
https://www.qld.gov.au/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/national-redress-scheme
SA
https://www.agd.sa.gov.au/projects-and-consultations/national-redress-scheme
TAS
https://www.justice.tas.gov.au/national-redress-scheme
VIC
WA
https://www.legalaid.wa.gov.au/find-legal-answers/managing-your-affairs/injuries/national-redress-scheme