Child Abuse Advocate Kathy Kezelman Calls on Government to Adopt Recommendation for a National Scheme

By Joanne Mccarthy
Newcastle Herald
January 14, 2016

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3663943/federal-response-to-child-abuse-redress-scheme-due-by-end-of-january/

THE Federal Government will announce whether it supports a national compensation and support scheme for survivors of historic child sexual abuse before the end of January.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter’s office has confirmed the government’s response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommendation for a national redress scheme is due in two weeks.

The commission proposed a $4.3 billion national scheme funded by institutions, including churches, responsible for the sexual abuse of children, and state and federal governments, with the scheme administered and underwritten by the federal government.

The scheme would treat all survivors equally, with compensation between $10,000 and $200,000, along with long term counselling and psychological care.

Advocacy group Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) spokeswoman Leonie Sheedy was pleased with the imminent announcement, saying the oldest member of her group, at 100, was still struggling with the consequences of a childhood in an institution.

Adults Surviving Child Abuse (ASCA) president Dr Kathy Kezelman said the royal commission had provided a considered, evidence-based set of recommendations for a sustainable redress scheme, and the federal government “must not back out now”.

"One of the bottom line priorities of the Royal Commission is justice and support for survivors,” Dr Kezelman said.

“The recommended redress scheme allows for the option of a direct response from institutions if desired, monetary payment, and most importantly access to counselling and psychological care for survivors provided by appropriately skilled and trained counsellors.

"The National redress scheme is the most equitable first step to facilitate uniformity. The commitment of the New South Wales government, Victorian government and The Catholic Church to this scheme provides an excellent indication of the collaborative response needed.

"Survivors have waited decades for redress - they are not getting any younger and their expectations are primed. Having been traumatised as children and re-traumatised by institutions, to not support this national scheme would be a further betrayal, and further re-traumatisation with what could well be devastating consequences for some survivors.”