What criteria do I have to meet to claim under the National Redress Scheme?
You can claim under the National Redress Scheme if you were:
- Sexually abused while under the age of 18 years, and
- The abuse took place while you were in the care of an institution that is a participant in the Redress Scheme, and
- You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
What can I claim under the National Redress Scheme?
Under the Redress Scheme you may be entitled to the following:
- A redress payment (up to $150,000, and
- Psychological counselling
- A direct response from institution responsible for the abuse
Can I bring a claim under the Redress Scheme and also claim separate compensation under Common Law?
No – if you bring a claim under the Redress Scheme and receive payment under that Scheme, this prevents you from bringing a Common Law claim.
Even if you meet the criteria to claim under the Redress Scheme, it may be better, in your particular circumstances, to claim under Common Law.
At MTM Legal we can advise you if you are better pursuing a common law claim or a claim under the Redress Scheme, including advising you of the legal cost and implications of bringing a claim under Common Law as opposed to under the Redress Scheme.
