Participating institutions grow under the National Redress Scheme

Several organisations, including Gymnastics Australia, have been declared participating institutions under the National Redress Scheme.

Survivors who have experienced child sexual abuse at participating declared organisations, including sporting and education institutions, can receive a payment of up to $150,000, access to counselling and psychological care and a direct personal response for historic child sexual abuse where an institution is found responsible or negligent in its duty of care.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth, as the responsible Minister for the Scheme, declared six new non-government institutions and six new participating groups to the scheme this month – including five sporting organisations.

Little Athletics Australia was also among the declared institutions.

It follows recent additions to the Scheme of the St Kilda Football Club, Learn to Swim and Softball Australia.

The institutions participating in the Scheme comprise of religious orders and affiliated bodies, schools and education providers, sporting bodies, community clubs, rehabilitation and support services, among others.

An institution must be declared to be a ‘participating institution’ under the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (the Scheme) before redress can be made to survivors who have experienced child sexual abuse at an institution.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the latest Amendment Declaration would ensure Australians who experienced abuse as a result of interacting with the institutions could receive redress.

“However nothing will take away the trauma and suffering experienced by those who were abused. Declarations will make the path easier for those who experienced abuse at these institutions to have their applications considered and finalised,” Minister Rishworth said.

“The Government’s main concern is the wellbeing of survivors, and ensuring the Redress process is as smooth as possible.”

Minister for Sport Anika Wells said this was another important step in the redress process.

“Abuse haunts and stays with athletes for life so this is welcome news for survivors and their wellbeing,” Minister Wells said.

“The addition of six new non-government institutions to the scheme will hopefully improve the redress path of those who have suffered.”

The Scheme was established in 2018 following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

More than $1 billion dollars in redress payments has been paid to survivors since its establishment.

Earlier this year the Government released its response to the Second Year Review into the Redress Scheme.

There are almost 500 non-government organisations now participating in the Scheme, covering more than 69,000 sites such as churches, schools, homes, charities, and community groups, across Australia.

None of the institutions included in this month’s Declaration were named in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.