The Truth Justice and Healing
Council has welcomed the Commonwealth Government's announcement that it
will establish and run a national redress scheme for the survivors of
institutional child sexual abuse.“The Commonwealth and Prime Minister Turnbull should be applauded for taking a principled decision on this very important and difficult issue,” Mr Sullivan said.
“For more than three years the Catholic Church, survivors and others have been calling for an independent, Commonwealth-run redress scheme that has the potential to respond to the claims of survivors consistently.
“Today’s announcement, which is consistent with the Royal Commission recommendations and submissions by the Catholic Church, is the first step in delivery of such a scheme.
“This scheme will deliver a fair, simple, consistent and generous process for redress for survivors regardless of where abuse occurred, be it a church, a charity, a school, an orphanage or anywhere else."
The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher OP, echoed Mr Sullivan's comments. “I very much welcome this development as a major step forward in the recognition and compensation of victims of child sexual abuse,” he said.
The Commonwealth will lead the scheme while states, territories and institutions, including churches, will be able to opt in.
Compensation will be capped at $150,000 per victim and the Commonwealth will foot the bill as a last resort for institutions such as charities and churches which no longer exist or have no capacity to pay.
Social Services Minister Christian Porter told reporters in Perth that the scheme would run for 10 years with an option to extend. He said an advisory council would be established to help oversee its delivery.
RELEASES
TJHC welcomes redress announcement
Statement from Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP
TJH Council meets with community groups in Victoria
TJH Council Royal Commission Child research