The National Redress Scheme welcomes the formal announcement that the Western Australian Government will participate in the Scheme.
This significant announcement means that the Scheme will be truly national, now that every state and territory government has agreed to participate. This achieves one of the Royal Commission’s central recommendations to establish a single national redress scheme to deliver justice for people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.
This commitment means people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse in Western Australian Government institutions will also be able to access redress. It will also allow non-government organisations to provide redress for abuse which occurred in Western Australia.
Six major churches and charities have also agreed to join the Scheme– the Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Uniting Church, The Salvation Army, YMCA and Scouts Australia.
Western Australia will need to pass legislation in order to participate, which may happen early next year, but people can still apply from 1 July 2018.
The National Redress Scheme will commence on 1 July 2018. Applications can be submitted online, or in paper form.
Where do I get support?
Support services made available as part of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse are available to assist people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse. Contact details for these support services can be found on the Department of Social Services’ website.
For more information about the National Redress Scheme, see www.dss.gov.au/redress, or contact the National Redress Scheme Information Line on 1800 146 713.
Those who need immediate assistance can contact:
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• In an emergency call Triple Zero (000)
