The scheme provides acknowledgement and support to people who experienced institutional child abuse.
The Government of South Australia has today joined the National Redress Scheme, which provides acknowledgement and support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.
This significant step allows people who were abused in South Australian government institutions, including a range of out-of-home care settings, to apply for redress under the scheme.
Find out more about the department's role in the scheme.
People who experienced abuse in South Australian non-government institutions (such as church bodies, charities and community organisations) that have declared their participation in the scheme may also apply to access redress.
Free and confidential Redress Support Services are available throughout the process and can help people who are considering applying.
For more information visit www.nationalredress.gov.au or call the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 777.
About the scheme
The scheme was created in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, which estimated that 60,000 people experienced institutional child sexual abuse in Australia.
Redress is an alternative to seeking compensation through the courts. The scheme can provide three things:
- access to counselling
- a payment
- a direct personal response from the institution (eg an apology) for people who want it.
The scheme started on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years.