Released 31/10/2017 - Joint media release
The ACT Government is committed to supporting victims of institutional child sexual abuse and will continue to work with the Commonwealth to ensure the scheme best meets their needs.
Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said a national Redress Scheme was an important step in acknowledging the ongoing harm that affects survivors.
“Survivors of child sexual abuse can suffer long-lasting and severe injuries, both physical and psychological, that can affect them for the rest of their lives,” Minister Ramsay said.
“A national Redress Scheme will help survivors move forward.
“The ACT will review the Commonwealth legislation and all information on costings very carefully to ensure that the Scheme is survivor-focused and would achieve its purpose in the ACT.”
The Scheme will commence on 1 July 2018 and will include:
- psychological counselling
- direct personal responses or apologies from responsible institutions and
- payments of up to $150,000.
“Some details about the operation of the Scheme and the costs involved are still under development by the Commonwealth and the ACT Government looks forward to hearing more detail,” Minister Ramsay said.
“The ACT Government has been very engaged in the development of the Scheme to ensure that it is survivor-focused.
Currently, victims of sexual abuse in the ACT are entitled to apply for assistance under the Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance) Act 2016 and the Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance) Act 1983.
“In August 2016, the ACT Government also passed amendments to remove limitation periods for civil actions on child sexual abuse in an institutional context,” Minister Ramsay said.
“The removal of these limitation periods acknowledges that it may take survivors of child sex abuse years to disclose their experience of abuse as a child, or commence civil litigation proceedings.
“The ACT Government acknowledges that although the primary responsibility for the sexual abuse of an individual lies with the abuser and the institution they were part of, the problems faced by many people who have been abused are the responsibility of our entire society.”
- Statement ends -
Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases
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