National Redress Scheme
For people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL REDRESS SCHEME?
The National Redress Scheme has been set up for people who have experienced child sexual abuse in, or because of, an institution.
The National Redress Scheme offers:
- Access to counselling
- Acknowledgement and apology from the institution
- Redress Payment
- The National Redress Scheme funds FREE support services to assist applicants through the process. The Women’s Cottage is a support service. A full list of services can be found on The National Redress Scheme website.
MORE INFORMATION, LINKS & PHONE NUMBERS
- Link to the Australian Government’s National Redress Scheme
- Women’s Cottage flyer
- Information for Aboriginal women
- Meet our Workers video
- Application video
- National Redress Scheme Free Call Line: 1800 737 377
Team Contact Details;
Sarah Dillane 0448 054 931 redressproject@womenscottage.org.au
Kelly Haines 0492 432 954 redressadmin@womenscottage.org.au
Simone Cooper 0409 074139 redress1@womenscottage.org.au
Kate Houlahan 0408 938 042 redress2@womenscottage.org.au
Jolin Nguyen 0428 990 097 redress3@womenscottage.org.au
Catherine Bessant 0486 001 207 redress4@womenscottage.org.au
Women’s Cottage 02 4578 4190
WHAT OUR REDRESS SUPPORT OFFERS
Our National Redress Support Service offers FREE support to all women interested in the National Redress Scheme.
Our National Redress Support Service offers FREE support to all women interested in the National Redress Scheme.
Our Redress Support workers, our team have over 50 years’ collective experience working with people, working with women and children who have experienced abuse.
We are here to support women through their application journey.
We warmly welcome women who would like to know if they can apply for Redress.
We support women who are looking at their options and deciding whether to apply.
We offer whatever kind of support needed to make the application, including literacy and emotional support.
We connect you to free specialist legal and financial advice that may be needed to complete your application.
We can continue to support you through the application process.
We support women from Parramatta to Lithgow and we are also able to assist women outside of this area.
FAQ'S & WHAT TO EXPECT
HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE?
Once an application is submitted it may take up to 2 years.
Once an offer has been received the applicant will have up to 6 months to consider it.
As the end of scheme approaches applicants will have less time in which to complete their application. This may influence your thinking and decision making. We can talk these issues through with you if needed.
Please note that as the scheme draws to an end processes and timelines may change.
HOW CONFIDENTIAL IS IT?
You choose what you want to tell us, and your information is kept completely confidential within our small Redress Team.
Once your application has been submitted to the Scheme, they are under strict confidentiality rules- For more information see the National Redress Scheme website
WHO CAN APPLY?
You may be eligible if:
You experienced institutional sexual abuse under 18
Are over 18 or will be 18 before 2028
Institutional sexual abuse happened before 01/07/2018
An Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident
Applying about an institution that has joined the scheme
For more information see the National Redress Scheme website
HOW MUCH WILL I GET?
This depends on what happened and in what circumstances. The maximum amount possible is $150,000.
DO I HAVE TO GO TO COURT?
No, you do not. You just have to fill in an application form.