Redress WA

The State Government announced a $114 million scheme, commencing in May 2008, to acknowledge adults who, as children, were abused while in State care in Western Australia.

Redress WA will assist individuals in recognition of the harm they suffered while in State care prior to 1 March 2006.

Background

Since 1920, it is estimated that around 58 000 children in Western Australia were under State care. Of these, 2921 are known to have been child migrants and up to 3000 stolen generation Aboriginal children who were in institutions (Bringing them Home Report, 1997).

The effects of abuse in care are often profound, particularly during childhood. Those who come into State care in the first place do so for a variety of reasons and the process of removal from a family is itself traumatic.

As a result, survivors of abuse while in State care may have experienced continuing social, psychological, educational and economic challenges throughout their life.

There have been a number of Government inquiries throughout Australia in relation to the abuse of children in State care. These include:

Bringing them Home Report (1997)
Forgotten Australians (2004)
Lost Innocents (2001)

All inquiries have made specific recommendations regarding an apology, support/counselling services, and some form of monetary redress (ex gratia payment) for the survivors of abuse.

About Redress WA

What is Redress WA?

Redress WA is designed to help people move forward with their lives by providing a public acknowledgement of the abuse and an apology from the State Government, access to support services such as psychological and financial counselling, help with the redress application process and an ex gratia payment.

Redress WA provides eligible applicants with an alternative to pursuing a claim through the court process that is less traumatic, less costly and will result in a quicker settlement. It will also be an opportunity to formally acknowledge the past for many people who cannot currently access compensation because of the statute of limitations for bringing actions, or who have difficultly in proving injury and loss together with negligence.

Redress WA joins Tasmania and Queensland as the only states to introduce a 'redress scheme'. Redress WA seeks to address historical child abuse claims for those who suffered abuse in State care, either institutional or non-institutional (including Child Migrants and Stolen Generation children) prior to 1 March 2006.

The State Government acknowledges that while abuse and neglect was found to have occurred in some Western Australian institutions, foster homes and other residential care settings, this was not necessarily the case with all of these. The State Government also acknowledges that people had very different experiences and that not all were found to be negative.

The Western Australian State Government deeply regrets that past abuse has taken place. Those eligible for an ex gratia payment will receive an official apology from the State Government. Support, self-help and consumer advocacy services, as well as a public memorial, will be funded by Redress WA.

Access to independent legal advice to assist eligible applicants in making an informed decision about the conditions associated with accepting an ex gratia payment will be available.

Applications to Redress WA open for 12 months from 1 May 2008 and must be lodged by 30 April 2009.

Apology and acknowledgement

The Western Australian Government has introduced Redress WA to acknowledge the impact of harm suffered by some children while in State care.

The State Government deeply regrets that abuse and neglect has taken place.

Redress WA will provide a public acknowledgement with the creation of a prominent and permanent memorial.

On a personal level, people will be given the opportunity to formally record their own stories on their official files.

Individuals who successfully apply to Redress WA for an ex gratia payment will also receive a personal, written apology.

The State Government would also like to acknowledge individuals who suffered harm but do not wish to apply to Redress WA, and will offer a public apology in Parliament. Staff from Redress WA will consult with support groups for survivors of child abuse to develop the wording of the apology.

Justice

If applicants provide information in relation to a perpetrator of abuse of children, that information may be referred to the Child Protection Squad, Western Australian Police Service for investigation.