Surge in Victorian ­institutions signing up to national redress scheme for child sexual abuse survivors

Dozens of Victorian institutions have signed up to the redress scheme for institutional child sexual abuse survivors. Here’s the reason why.

More than 120 Victorian ­institutions have signed up to the national redress scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

The program now entering its third year has received more than 9000 applications and $377m has been paid out.

More than 130 organisations have signed up nationally over the past six months.

By the start of 2021, more than 4500 payments had been made nationally, with a further 540 offers awaiting applicants’ decisions.

Since July, organisations such as Swimming Australia, St Vincent de Paul Society and Surf Life Saving Australia have signed on, joining Victorian groups such as Cottage by the Sea and the Children’s Protection Society.

Families Minister Anne Ruston said the threat of being named and shamed, as well as the risk of losing charitable ­status, had impelled many groups to sign up within six months of being named in a royal commission.

“It is encouraging to see the measures the Morrison government has put in place have proven to be effective for ­assisting survivors to access ­redress,” Senator Ruston said.

“The significant increase in the number of institutions ­participating in the scheme means more applications can be progressed and survivors will not face unnecessary ­delays as they seek the redress they have already waited so long to ­receive.”

Families Minister Anne Ruston said the threat of being named and shamed had impelled many groups to sign up Picture by Sean Davey

The scheme was set up in 2018 to enable survivors of ­institutional sexual assault to claim compensation.

At the time, 47 institutions joined, with a further 176 the following year.

By mid-December, more than 1500 applications had been received from Victorians.

More than 750 people have received money, totalling more than $62m.

About 450 organisations have now signed up, covering more than 60,000 churches, children’s homes, schools, sports clubs and other facilities.

Organisations named in the report of the Royal Commission into Institutional ­Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in July were given until December 31 to join before being named publicly.

Just three organisations named in the middle of last year are still yet to join, affecting 77 applications — the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Kenja Communications and Fairbridge Restored Limited.

They are now ineligible for federal government funding.