Uniting Church opts in to national redress scheme for victims of child sexual abuse

Australian Broadcasting Corporation
June 04, 2018

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-04/uniting-church-signs-up-for-national-redress-scheme/9833338

President of the Uniting Church in Australia Steve McMillan apologized to victims.

The national redress scheme for victims of child sexual abuse continues to gain momentum with the Uniting Church the latest to opt in to the scheme, however the Western Australia Synod's entry is conditional on the WA Government also signing up.

The President of the Uniting Church in Australia Stuart McMillan apologized to victims at Monday's announcement.

"We acknowledge the impact of child sexual abuse in the lives of those who have been abused in our institutions or those of our predecessor Churches," Mr McMillan said.

"To each survivor and all of their families, I am truly sorry.

"It is our sincere hope that this National Redress Scheme will allow survivors of institutional child sexual abuse to access support to help them in their lives."

All seven Uniting Church Standing Committees have resolved to opt in to the National Scheme.

The WA Synod's entry is conditional on the WA Government also opting in, something which is expected to occur within weeks.

The Uniting Church is working to establish a single legal entity to engage with the National Scheme.

"There is more work to do, and we are acting in good faith, staying true to the Church's public commitments to survivors," he said.

"I emphasise the public pledge I made to the Royal Commission in 2017 —that the Uniting Church will apply the lessons of the Royal Commission … we will keep listening to survivors."