Redress WA

In December 2007, the Western Australian Government having expressed its regrets that abuse has taken place and recognized that many people continue to suffer as a result of the abuse they experienced as children in State care announced a $AD 114 million Redress WA Scheme for those adults who, as children, were abused and/or neglected in WA State care. Redress WA is designed to help people move forward with their lives and includes:

• an ex gratia payment
• an acknowledgement of the abuse and/or neglect
• an apology
• support to fill in the application form
• counselling services
• an opportunity to record their personal story.

The scheme is such that victims do not need to be a State ward to be eligible for Redress WA.It is recognised that money cannot make up for the abuse some people suffered in State care. An ex gratia payment is not intended to fully compensate but to assist with healing process and can only go to the applicant.Applicants may be eligible for an interim payment before 30 April 2009 if they have a terminal or life-threatening illness.A permanent memorial is being developed for people who were in care and its wording will include the experiences of children abused while in State care.On a personal level, applicants will be given the opportunity to formally record their own stories on their official files.

Further details of the scheme can be found at its website: www.redress.wa.gov.au

This is a model that is to be applauded. It is an enlightended way of addressing the needs of abuse victims and society at large.

Litigation is often for victms yet another insult, and so a redress scheme that avoids this is welcome.

 I hope that other governments take note and act.

Alan Collins

Tel.: 02392380112