General News
26 September, 2024
New scheme to support abuse victims
The Victorian Government is establishing a redress scheme for Victorians who experienced physical, psychological or emotional abuse or neglect in orphanages, children’s homes and missions before 1990.
Before 1990, more than 90,000 children were placed in institutional care in Victoria, many of whom experienced harm and carry that trauma and grief with them as adults, at times leading to poverty and homelessness.
“Today we acknowledge the physical, psychological and emotional abuse that too many Victorians experienced in institutions before 1990 and take the next steps to redress those wrongs,” Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said.
The Redress for Historical Institutional Abuse Scheme has been allocated $165 million from the Victorian Budget 2024/25.
The scheme will include payments of $20,000, access to up to 20 counselling sessions, and a personal restorative engagement process, as well as an acknowledgment or apology from the responsible institutions.
This builds on the support already available through the National Redress Scheme set up after the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
“Forgotten Australians or Care Leavers are all ageing and have waited a long time for redress in Victoria,” Alliance for Forgotten Australians Chairperson Caroline Carroll said.
“Access to redress is another part of a lifelong journey for recognition and healing.”
“VACCA is proud to work alongside the Victorian Government in support of Redress for Historical Institutional Abuse,” Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency CEO Aunty Muriel Bamblett said.
“This scheme is an integral step towards healing and reminds us of the importance and power of truth telling and saying sorry.”
General applications are expected to open in December 2024, and applications for advance redress payments are available for eligible Victorians at www.services.dffh.vic.gov.au/advance-redress-payments.
More information about redress for historical institutional abuse can be found at www.dffh.vic.gov.au
People who need support can contact Open Place (Relationships Australia Victoria), or Care Leavers Australasia Network.
Crisis help is also available through Lifeline on 13 11 14.