1. Get independent legal advice
If you have made an application to the National Redress Scheme for child sexual abuse suffered while in an insitution and an offer of payment has been made, it is essential to get legal advice. A lawyer will advise you on your particular circumstances and whether it is worth considering other legal pathways to obtain compensation for the abuse you suffered as a child in an institution.
2. The amount of compensation
The average offer of payment made by the National Redress Scheme is around $85,000. The most you can get from National Redress is $150,000 to $155,000. Your personal circumstances will often dictate whether you accept the offer or not however it is most important to be aware that if you accept the offer and payment is made to you, you will lose the right to pursue any further compensation through an abuse action in the courts.
3. Time frames
If an offer is made to you from National Redress you will have 6 months to decide whether you should accept the offer. You can seek an extension of time from National Redress if you need more than 6 months to decide what you want to do. While you are thinking about whether to accept or not, you should seek independent legal advice. Further, the National Redress Scheme ends on 30 June 2028.
If you decide you want to explore an abuse action through the courts, you can do so at any time. There is no timeframe or limitation date to commence an abuse action.
As noted above however, if you accept a National Redress offer, you lose the right to explore an abuse action through the courts.
This article was prepared with the assistance of Keziah Holdsworth*
If you have any questions or concerns please contact our Abuse Compensation Director Jon May on 02 6188 3600