Childhood sexual abuse survivor advocate groups and the Catholic Church are mounting pressure on the federal government to adopt a national redress scheme.
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Adults Surviving Child Abuse (ASCA) Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN), the Catholic Church’s Truth, Justice and Healing Council, Australian Council of Social Service and People with Disability Australia Incorporated released a joint statement on Tuesday calling on the Turnball government to expedite a commitment to a National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional childhood sexual abuse.
Survivors have criticised a state-run scheme fearing they will receive different levels of compensation dependant on the state where the offence occurred. Ballarat survivor Andrew Collins said victims suffered chronic mental and physical health issues with many left unable to work most of their lives and in desperate need of support.
“The federal government need to make a decision because survivors are getting old, they are dying and others are living in complete poverty,” Mr Collins said.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse last year recommended the federal government establish a single national redress scheme funded largely by the institutions where the abuse occurred, including schools, religious groups and government organisations.
It was proposed the scheme be run by an independent board under the auspices of the federal government to ensure equity for all sexual abuse victims. Under the proposal, up to 60,000 people who suffered childhood sexual abuse in institutions could have access to a $4 billion redress scheme as early as 2017.
The report proposed a minimum individual payment of $10,000 and a maximum of $200,000 for the most “severe” cases of abuse. Labor has pledged its support for the national redress scheme but the Turnbull government has so far not committed to contribute any shortfall funding.
But Mr Collins raised concerns about elements of the proposed scheme, including payouts being measured by the severity of abuse. The redress should be determined on impact alone and not severity, he said.
“It flies in the face of every piece of evidence we have seen from expert witnesses at the Royal Commission,” Mr Collins said. “How you were abused does not determine the effects the sexual abuse will have on you for the rest of your life.
He said the scheme should mirror similar existing models like Workcover and the Traffic Accident Commission which encompassed lifelong pain and suffering.
“We want a whole of life supportive system which will stop suicides and premature deaths rather than just a single payment,” he said.“It’s not about what’s affordable to the institutions, it should be about what’s fair for victims.”
Social Services minister Christian Porter told parliament earlier this month the government was working on a national approach. He said for it to be implemented it needed agreement from all states and territories, however South Australia has indicated it did not support it.