About the National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme (the Scheme) provides support to people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.
If you or someone you know experienced sexual abuse as a child in a Queensland institution, including:
- children’s homes
- schools
- foster care
- youth detention centres
- missions
- dormitories
you may be eligible for redress under the Scheme.
Background
In response to recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the Australian Government developed a National Redress Scheme for people who were sexually abused as children in institutional settings before 1 July 2018.
We (the Queensland Government) are participating in the Scheme because it will contribute to the dignity and recognition of people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse. Redress is about making amends for wrongs that have happened in the past. This is why the National Redress Scheme has been established for people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse before 1 July 2018, when the Scheme started.
People who experience child sexual abuse after the Scheme’s commencement on 1 July 2018 will not be able to access redress through the Scheme. Other legal options may be available, such as civil litigation.
For more information, read the:
- Information Sheet: National Redress Scheme in Queensland
- Information Sheet: National Redress Scheme in Queensland
What does the Scheme offer?
The Scheme will provide access to:
- a Redress payment,
- up to 20 hours of counselling and psychological care (and more if required), and
- the option to receive a Direct Personal Response, for example an apology, from the responsible institution.
Which institutions have joined the Scheme so far?
Many institutions have already joined the Scheme, including the Australian Government, all state and territory governments, and many of the major churches and charities.
To search for institutions that have joined the Scheme visit the National Redress Scheme website.
What if the responsible institution is not listed?
You can make an application for redress at any time, but applications can’t be considered until the responsible institution—or institutions—have completed all the necessary steps to participate in the Scheme.
Visit the National Redress Scheme website to search for institutions that are already participating in the Scheme. If the institution isn’t listed, contact the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377.
The Queensland Government is encouraging all institutions to join the Scheme. Institutions will have until 30 June 2020 to join.
Information about missions and dormitories
Which institutions are covered by the Queensland Government under the Scheme?
Institutions run by the Queensland Government, including residential care, missions and dormitories, will be covered by the Queensland Government under the Scheme. The Queensland Government will also share responsibility with non-government organisations in relevant cases. Institutions run by non-government organisations may be covered if those organisations participate in the Scheme.
Why isn’t the Queensland Government covering all missions and dormitories?
Some missions and dormitories in Queensland were run by non-government institutions. Those institutions need to join the Scheme themselves.
The Queensland Government is working with the Scheme to encourage all organisations that ran missions and dormitories to participate. There will be cases where the State may take financial responsibility for a redress payment for a non-government organisation that no longer exists. This can only be done where the Scheme finds that the State shares responsibility for the abuse with that organisation.
Read the:
- Information Sheet: Missions and dormitories (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
- Information Sheet: Missions and dormitories (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)