Introduction

The Order of St Augustine accepts its duty of care to provide effective redress for those who have suffered child sexual abuse by Church personnel and to receive justice. The Order of St Augustine informs you of three options of redress; Civil Claim, National Redress Scheme and the Catholic Church Response.

National Redress Scheme

The National Redress Scheme is in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and allows eligible survivors of institutional child sexual abuse to apply for redress in the form of monetary payments, counselling and support and direct personal responses from the responsible institution.

One of the key recommendations of the Royal Commission was that a National Redress Scheme be set up and this was established as at 1 July 2018. The Order of St Augustine in 2019 engaged in a National Redress registration process and was formally declared as a participating institution on 17 December 2019. For further information about the Scheme, visit www.nationalredress.gov.au

Who can apply?
You can apply to the Scheme if:

• you experienced sexual abuse when you were a child (under 18 years of age) and
• the abuse happened before 1 July 2018, and
• an institution was responsible for bringing you into contact with the person who abused you, and
• you were born before 30 June 2010, and
• you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

For further information on eligibility under this Scheme, visit www.nationalredress.gov.au/applying/who-can-apply

What does the National Redress Scheme look like?

Applications for redress under the Scheme are considered by independent assessors who decide on the appropriate levels of financial and other support and as a Church Authority participating in the Scheme, we will meet the costs of redress that the Scheme determines.

The Scheme will offer a monetary payment up to $150,000, counselling and psychological support up to $5,000 and a direct personal response from the responsible institution/s, if you want that.

What is the payment for?

A payment under the Scheme will not include any amount for loss of income or pain and suffering. Its purpose is to recognise and acknowledge the impact of institutional child sexual abuse and related abuse on you.

At the end of the process you will be asked to sign a Statutory Release. By signing this release, you will not be able to continue or to commence any civil or common law proceedings against the responsible institution.

How to Apply?

If you decide to apply to access the Scheme, you can call 1800 737 377 or visit www.nationalredress.gov.au/applying/thinking-about-applying

Catholic Church Response

The Order of St Augustine aims to be fair, reasonable and honest in its dealings with survivors of child sexual abuse. Respect and dignity will be afforded to survivors, their families and other third parties affected by the abuse. Every effort will be made to ensure survivors feel safe and secure.

Please contact the Order of St Augustine on +61 2 9938 0200 or via email at osaadmin@bigpond.com talk through how support can be provided. The support may involve conversation, counselling, spiritual guidance and prayer.

Civil Claims

If you are considering, or wish to commence, a claim for compensation in court

If you are a person who has suffered child sexual abuse by Church personnel and are considering making a claim against the Order in relation to a claim of sexual abuse, we recommend obtaining legal advice about your options for compensation. Subject to the advice you receive, your lawyer may initiate contact with us directly in relation to the nature of your claim.

Who do I contact?
Knowmore is a free service offering legal advice and information to help you consider your options about compensation, redress and other legal issues related to abuse.

Knowmore
Website: www.knowmore.org.au
Email: info@knowmore.org.au
Phone: 1800 605 762