Australia Introduces National Redress Scheme For Institutional Child Sexual Abuse

The Government of the Commonwealth of Australia has established the National Redress Scheme in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The Scheme aims to provide redress to persons who were sexually abused as a child whilst in the care of a Commonwealth run organisation. Subject to the passage of legislation, the Scheme is proposed to commence on 1 July 2018 and will operate for ten years.

The Commonwealth has encouraged State and Territory Governments and non-government organisations to 'opt in' to the Scheme. So far, all State and Territory Governments have committed to the Scheme, except Western Australia, which is expected to opt in shortly. A number of non-government organisations, including churches and charities, have also agreed to participate.