WA local governments join the National Redress Scheme
Local Government Minister David Templeman has today commended all 137 Western Australian local governments for joining the National Redress Scheme to recognise the harm suffered by survivors of historical child sexual abuse.
The scheme, created in response to recommendations by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, gives survivors a simpler and more streamlined alternative to pursuing civil litigation through the courts.
Since early 2019, the State Government, through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, has consulted with the local government sector about participating in the scheme.
By joining the scheme, any payments made to survivors involving services operated by a local government will be paid for by the State Government.
People who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse can access counselling, a personal apology and a redress payment of up to $150,000 through the Scheme.