What is Redress WA?

On 17 December 2007, the former Western Australian Government announced the $114 million Redress WA Scheme for those adults who, as children, were abused and/or neglected in WA State care in Western Australia.

Redress WA was designed to help people move forward with their lives and includes:

• an ex gratia payment
• an acknowledgement of the abuse and/or neglect
• an apology
• support to fill in the application form
• counselling services
• an opportunity to record their personal story.

Since 1920, an estimated 55 000 children in Western Australia were under State care. Of these, 2921 are known to have been child migrants (Lost Innocents: Righting the Record, 2001) and up to 3000 were stolen generations Aboriginal children who were in institutions (Bringing them Home Report, 1997).

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

Redress WA joined Tasmania and Queensland as the only states to introduce a 'redress scheme'. Redress schemes were also been developed in Canada and Ireland.

Redress WA provided 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.