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By now, child sex abuse in the Catholic Church is well known for being a common problem.
Only in the past decade has the extent of Church authorities’ efforts to protect clergymen from lawsuits been fully understood.
At GMP Law, we want to do everything we can to bring sexual predators and the institutions that illegally protected them to justice.
If you, or somebody you know, has suffered harm within the church, speak with our team of expert claim lawyers. These are sensitive and complex matters, but our team can work with you to inform you of your legal options and, if you choose to pursue a claim, work to ensure you receive redress for the harm you’ve suffered.
Click here to book a free, non-obligation consultation with one of our compensation lawyers, or give us a call at 1800 004 878.
Winning Church Abuse Compensation
That translates to billions of dollars for our clients.
The National Museum in Australia (NMA) states that sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy and monks has a long history that goes back 2,000 years.
Yet, it’s only recently that many allegations of childhood sexual abuse within the church have come out into the open. The Royal Commission on Child Sex Abuse was established in 2013 by the Australian government. Its purpose is to investigate and report on instances of child sexual abuse in various institutions, including the Catholic Church. This initiative, paired with increasing legal action and media reporting, has led to greater public awareness and a wave of disclosures and testimonies from survivors.
Now, more and more survivors of child abuse from within the Catholic Church — and similar institutions — are coming forward to receive redress for the harm they’ve experienced. If you’ve experienced such abuse, know that you’re not alone and that help is available if you’re considering filing a compensation claim.
There are two main legal avenues for survivors of childhood sexual abuse who are considering seeking redress: A National Redress Scheme claim and a civil claim.
The National Redress Scheme offers survivors of institutional childhood sexual abuse compensation in the form of a personal response from the liable institute, coverage of therapeutic costs and a lump sum payment. Applications are generally made online, although the National Redress Scheme can send paper applications if requested, and the process itself generally takes 12 months.
Civil claims, on the other hand, are legal actions taken directly against the alleged perpetrators and/or institutions through Australia’s legal system. While claims filed through the National Redress Scheme offer advantages, such as a streamlined, relatively hands-off process, we generally advise survivors to pursue a civil claim — here’s why:
In our experience, most civil claims result in a payout of over $150,000. For example, in a recent case we handled, we secured a $450,000 settlement for a client who suffered prolonged physical and sexual abuse — an amount notably higher than the Scheme’s maximum of $150,000. This compensation more accurately reflected the severe impact of the abuse on the client’s psychiatric health and their ability to maintain relationships and employment.
During your free consultation, our team can help you to make an informed decision on what the best course of action for you is — the course that will most likely result in you receiving the redress you deserve.
Compensation through the National Redress Scheme is capped at $150,000, alongside a personal apology from the liable institute and instalments covering the cost of therapy.
Civil claims offer a broader scope, enabling claimants to receive both economic and non-economic damages:
In rare cases, claimants may receive exemplary damages. This is a form of compensation that is intended to punish the defendant for particularly egregious or malicious conduct and to serve as a deterrent to other individuals and institutions.
While the amount you may receive through a civil claim largely depends on your state and individual circumstances, we’ve found the majority of civil claims result in a compensation payout higher than Scheme claims.
In the case of the Western Sydney Catholic School, we achieved a settlement of $420,000. This case particularly highlighted the extensive and lasting effects of abuse on a person’s life. Our client, who endured sexual abuse by a school authority figure, faced challenges in both their personal and professional life due to the trauma experienced. The compensation acknowledged not only the past suffering but also provided a means to support the client’s future, including their desire to seek psychological help and pursue higher education.
Download your guide today for free and make sure that you are aware of the facts and information you need to maximise your damages claim.
GMP Law has an established track record of getting people in need the justice they deserve.
For decades, our team has been leading the way and fighting for people just like you. While we commonly represent sexual abuse survivors, we also specialise in motor accident, public liability, medical negligence, workers’ compensation claims, among others.
Our solicitors and barristers have a winning history you can rely on.
Contact us for no-obligation legal advice about your claim.
Download your guide today for free and make sure that you are aware of the facts and information you need to maximise your damages claim.
Meet some of the diverse and dynamic compensation lawyers that support our clients with their sexual abuse claims.
Call us now on 1800 004 878 to book a free appointment with one of our compensation experts, or make an enquiry online now.
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