The National Redress Scheme
Since 1874 The Infants’ Home has been providing services to children and families including residential care, childcare, family day care, foster care, domestic violence shelter and other emergency care provisions.
The Infants’ Home has a strong commitment to child protection and providing support to children and families in need. It is because of that commitment that we want to demonstrate our willingness to acknowledge and address any instances in which we failed to provide care and protection for children placed with us.
As such The Infants’ Home Child and Family Services is now participating in the National Redress Scheme.
The National Redress Scheme provides acknowledgement and support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse. It was created in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which estimated that 60,000 people experienced institutional child sexual abuse in Australia.
Redress is an alternative to seeking compensation through the courts. The National Redress Scheme can provide:
– access to counselling
– a payment
– a direct personal response from the institution (e.g. an apology)
The scheme started on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years.
The Infants’ Home has joined the Scheme. This means people who were abused in the care of The Infants’ Home can apply to the Scheme for redress.
People can apply now using an online or paper form.
Free and confidential Redress Support Services are available throughout the process. This information can help explain the Scheme and who can apply.
For more information, visit the National Redress Scheme website or call the National Redress Scheme line on 1800 737 377.
Who can apply?
You can apply to the National Redress Scheme if:
– you experienced sexual abuse when you were a child (under 18 years of age), and
– the abuse happened before 1 July 2018, and
– an institution was responsible for bringing you into contact with the person who abused you, and
– you were born before 30 June 2010, and
– you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
How to apply
To apply for redress through the scheme, visit the National Redress Scheme website or call the National Redress Scheme line on 1800 737 377.
We extend an apology to children who experienced institutional care. Download our apology statement here.