Australian Sports Commission offers financial support to athletes who were abused at Australian Institute of Sport

Athletes who suffered harm or abuse at Australia’s peak sporting training centre will be eligible for thousands in compensation under a new program.

The AIS in Canberra. Picture: Newswire/Gary Ramage

First there was the apology and now the Australian Sports Commission is offering financial compensation to athletes who suffered harm or abuse during their time at the Australian Institute of Sport.

Compensation ranging from $5000 to $50,000 will be offered for abuse survivors — from all sports — that were at the AIS from 1982 through to 2013 as part of a “restorative program” launched on Wednesday.

In all, about 9000 athletes held scholarships between 1981 and 2013 and Wednesday’s announcement follow’s the ASC’s historic apology in May to athletes who suffered abuse while at the AIS.

The AIS. Picture: Newswire/Gary Ramage.

From 1981 to 2013, the AIS was responsible for High Performance Scholarships on behalf of the National Sporting Organisations.

After 2013, the AIS no longer offered athlete scholarships, with funding going directly to the NSOs who managed their own scholarships.

The apology followed the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) calling on Australian sporting institutions to admit to their failings and apologise to victims in the wake of the scathing review into gymnastics abuse.

The review found that young Australian gymnasts, mostly girls, were molested, abused and bullied by the same people who were supposed to protect them, dating back over decades.

A number of women spoke about negative experiences during their time as gymnasts at the AIS, with some detailing allegations of sexual, physical and psychological abuse.

They also said their complaints were not acted upon by administrators at the AIS.

Gymnastics Australia offered an immediate apology when the review was released, but the ASC was the first government body to officially say sorry for the abuse.

The restorative program will also provide an opportunity for athletes to share their story and their experiences with senior representatives of the ASC.

ASC Chair Josephine Sukkar AM said it was crucial for the ASC to acknowledge its past and commit to positively impacting the culture of sport now and in the future.

“Almost 9000 athletes held AIS scholarships between 1981 and 2013 and while we know many people had a positive experience, unfortunately some athletes were treated inappropriately,” she said.

A damning review uncovered the treatment of young Australian gymnasts.

“The Program has been established to help our former athletes report and raise concerns directly with the ASC about practices at the AIS that were detrimental to their wellbeing.”

ASC CEO, Kieren Perkins OAM has encouraged any former AIS scholarship athletes to contact the Program if they suffered harm from their time at the AIS.

“Abuse of any nature has no place in Australian sport,” he said.

“Learnings from athletes who have already come forward to share their stories has also been considered in developing the Program.

“We encourage you to contact (us) … which includes access to counselling and support

services, the opportunity to engage with senior representatives from the ASC and AIS and a restoration payment for eligible individuals.

“Your engagement with the Program will be confidential and play a critical role in informing the practices of the sports sector in the future.”

Individuals can apply for the program via www.sportaus.gov.au/about/asc-restorative-program

Sexual assault support services:

1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732