Families & children

National Redress Scheme

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The National Redress Scheme provides acknowledgment and support to people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse

It was created in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. 

The Scheme:

  • Acknowledges that many children were sexually abused in Australian institutions
  • Holds institutions accountable for this abuse, and
  • Helps people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse gain access to counselling and psychological services, a direct personal response, and a monetary payment.

The Scheme started on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years.

What the Scheme can provide

The Scheme can provide:

  • A monetary payment
  • Access to counselling and psychological care
  • A direct personal response (DPR) which provides a meaningful apology and  acknowledgment from the responsible institution.

Applicants may request one, two or all three components of the Scheme. 

The Scheme is available to people who experienced sexual abuse as a child (under 18 years of age and prior to 1 July 2018) and where an institution was responsible for bringing the person into contact with the abuser.

For more information, see the National Redress Scheme website or contact the National Redress Scheme information line - Ph: 1800 737 377.

Participating institutions

Institutions that have a history of child sexual abuse are expected to join the Scheme. Participating in the Scheme helps people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse receive the recognition, respect and support they deserve.

The Victorian Government has joined the Scheme, which means redress can be provided to people who were abused in relation to a Victorian Government institution. 

The full list of institutions that have joined the Scheme can be found on the National Redress Scheme website.

Restore – Victorian Redress Counselling Service

Restore is the counselling service for people who have accepted an offer of counselling from the Scheme, and lived in Victoria when they applied to the Scheme. 

Restore is made up of 17 specialist counselling organisations with 120 locations across Victoria.

The organisations in Restore are:

People may choose which organisation they go to. Each organisation:

  • Offers a survivor-focussed, trauma-informed approach to counselling and support services
  • Offers face-to-face, individual or group counselling
  • Will listen to people about the kind of support they need
  • Is independent and confidential.

Restore also has some capacity to provide financial support for people to continue to see an existing private counsellor. 

For more information, see Restore - Victorian Redress Counselling Service website or call 1800 RESTORE (1800 737 8673).

Restore – Victorian Redress Counselling Service questions and answers.

2021 Redress Consultation Survey

In June and July 2021, the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing surveyed people who had experience of institutional child sexual abuse about their views on counselling and psychological counselling services. 

Current Victorian services are provided through the state-wide Victorian Redress Counselling service (Restore), and include individual, family and group counselling, along with Aboriginal Cultural Healing programs.

The department would like to thank and acknowledge the time taken and courage of all the people who filled in the survey, as well as those who wrote submissions to various government enquiries about their experiences. 

The information provided will be used to inform any changes made to the Victorian CPC service, and improve services for future participants.

A summary of the 2021 Redress Consultation Survey is now available. 

Support services

Free and confidential redress support services are available to help people before, during and after they apply for redress. These services can provide practical and emotional support, legal advice, and financial counselling.

For more information, see the National Redress Scheme website.

Find and Connect Support Services

This service can assist with:

  • Personalised support and counselling
  • Obtaining personal records and individual histories of institutional care
  • Connecting with other services and support networks
  • Reconnecting with family where possible.

Call 1800 16 11 09 (free call) from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm in all states and territories, or see the Find and Connect website.

Lifeline

Lifeline is a 24 hour confidential telephone crisis support: call 13 11 14 or see the Lifeline website.

Report to Victoria Police

To report a sexual offence, contact your local police station to be connected with a Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation team.

Remember, in an emergency dial triple zero (000).