The Commonwealth Government National Redress Scheme
The Salvation Army is committed to supporting and providing redress for all people who were abused as children while in our care, in a way that is fair, consistent and compassionate.
We understand that survivors who suffered abuse within The Salvation Army may not want to engage with us in any way. With this in mind, The Salvation Army was the first major faith-based organisation to join the National Redress Scheme when it was formed in 2018.
Every Salvation Army entity within Australia is included within the National Redress Scheme, without exception. The Salvation Army remains committed to participating in the National Redress Scheme, alongside its commitment to also offering its own internal redress scheme, to ensure that all survivors are treated with fairness and equity, including those who are not eligible to apply to the National Redress Scheme.
The National Redress Scheme considers applications made by survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Applications can be made any time before 30 June 2027.
The National Redress Scheme:
- Acknowledges that many children were sexually abused in Australian institutions.
- Holds institutions accountable for this abuse.
- Helps people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse gain access to counselling, a direct personal response and a financial redress payment.
- Payments range from $5000 through to a maximum of $150,000. If an applicant accepts an offer of redress through the National Redress Scheme, they must sign a document releasing the relevant institution from further claims.
Direct personal response
A direct personal response can be a very helpful experience in bringing closure from the pain of the past and allowing healing to occur. A direct personal response includes:
- An opportunity for a survivor to have their story of abuse heard.
- An acknowledgement of the impact of the abuse on the person.
- An apology or a statement of acknowledgement or regret.
- An assurance that the institution has taken steps, or will take steps, to prevent abuse occurring again.
Under the guidelines of the National Redress Scheme, an institution must wait until the survivor contacts them before they can provide a direct personal response. If you would like a direct personal response from The Salvation Army, you can contact us by:
Email: centreforrestoration@salvationarmy.org.au
Phone: 02 9466 3063
We would be very willing to arrange this by way of a Letter of Apology, and in meeting with you in person, at a time and location of your choice. Or, you may prefer your contact person at the National Redress Scheme arranges this with us on your behalf.
For more information about the National Redress Scheme, you can visit the National Redress website or call 1800 737 377.