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  • Catholic Clergy Abuse - General
    Catholic Clergy Abuse - General
    Dr Viv Waller has acted in claims against Catholic Clergy since 1995. Waller Legal has recovered compensation for the victims of Catholic Priests such as Frs Baker, Ridsdale, Kevin O'Donnell, D'Cruz, Gannon, Glennon, Gubbels, Frank Klep, Bernard Day & Pidoto.
  • Catholic Clergy Abuse - Melbourne Response
    Catholic Clergy Abuse - Melbourne Response
    Melbourne Response is an alternative dispute resolution process designed to provide redress to victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by priests, religious and lay persons who fall within the jurisdiction of the Melbourne Archdiocese.
  • Civil Litigation
    Civil Litigation
    Civil Litigation in the County And Supreme Courts of Victoria. In our pursuit of justice for sexual assault survivors Waller Legal has run common law cases for compensation against; Individual offenders such as family members, teachers, doctors, psychologists and religious figures;
  • Claims for Indigenous & Travel to Remote Communities
    Claims for Indigenous & Travel to Remote Communities
    If you have been the victim of a crime of violence or sexual assault then please contact our office so we may assess your application and obtain financial assistance, counselling, medical or other expenses that may help with your recovery.
  • Royal Commission & Redress Schemes
    Royal Commission & Redress Schemes
    Established in January 2013, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is investigating how institutions like schools, churches and sporting groups responded to allegations of child sexual abuse.
  • Sentencing Act Applications
    Sentencing Act Applications
    If you have been the victim of a crime for which the offender was convicted please contact our office urgently. Any Sentencing Act Application for compensation must be made within 12 months of the date of the conviction.
  • State Ward Claims
    State Ward Claims
    Dr Viv Waller has acted for former wards of the state of Victoria since 1997 when she commenced group litigation on behalf of many former residents of the Ballarat Orphanage who were abused in care.
  • Victim of Crimes Assistance Tribunal
    Victim of Crimes Assistance Tribunal
    If you have been the victim of a crime of violence or sexual assault then please contact our office so we may assess your application and obtain financial assistance, counselling, medical or other expenses that may help with your recovery.

Catholic Clergy Abuse - Melbourne Response

Melbourne Response is an alternative dispute resolution process designed to provide redress to victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by priests, religious and lay persons who fall within the jurisdiction of the Melbourne Archdiocese.

Catholic Clergy Abuse - Melbourne Response

OVERVIEW

In 1996 the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne established an internal complaints and compensation scheme called the Melbourne Response.

The Melbourne Response is an alternative dispute resolution process designed to provide redress to victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by priests, religious and lay persons who fall within the jurisdiction of the Melbourne Archdiocese.

WALLER LEGAL HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN ASSISTING VICTIMS THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND ADVOCATING ON THEIR BEHALF.

We have recovered compensation for many people in claims progressed through the Melbourne Response.  We help clients prepare their case to maximise their entitlements. We accompany them to meetings with the Independent Commissioner and appear on their behalf before the Assessment Panel (formerly the Compensation Panel)

We do not always recommend that clients progress a claim through the Melbourne Response.  It’s important to get independent legal advice before deciding to participate.  Clients may have a viable common law claim that could be worth much more than the current Melbourne Response cap which, as of 1 January 2017, is $150,000.00.

We strongly recommend that you do not sign away your legal rights without first obtaining independent and experienced legal advice.

Historically, civil claims against the Catholic Church have been notoriously difficult, with strict limitation periods and the existence of technical legal arguments, such as the “Ellis” defence. However, the legal landscape is transforming and claims in negligence are increasingly becoming a realistic option.

Further Compensation Payments

On 4 April 2014, the Melbourne Archdiocese announced that it would conduct an internal review into the Melbourne Response process.

On 18 November 2016, the Melbourne Archdiocese announced that that the cap of $75,000.00 will be increased to $150,000.00, with effect from 1 January 2017.

The Melbourne Archdiocese further confirmed that it would revisit matters that have previously settled through the Melbourne Response process with a view to providing a further compensation payment.

If you have previously settled a claim through the Melbourne Response, you are eligible for a further compensation payment.

If you are eligible for a further compensation payment, your additional payment will be calculated, as follows:

  1. If your matter proceeded through the Melbourne Response process after April 2014, the additional monetary payment will be the difference between what you would have received if a cap of $150,000.00 was in place at the relevant time less payments already received.
  2. If your matter proceeded through the Melbourne Response process before April 2014, the additional monetary payment will be the difference between what you would have received if a cap of $150,000.00 was in place at the relevant time less payments already received, adjusted for inflation.

Waller Legal can assist you with your application for your further compensation payment.

You will not need to have any direct communication with the Melbourne Archdiocese. You will not be required to attend any meetings with the Independent Commissioner or appear at any hearing before the Assessment Panel (formerly the Compensation Panel).

Waller Legal can monitor the progress of your application and ensure that you are paid the correct sum.

 

IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A COMPLAINT THROUGH MELBOURNE RESPONSE OR INVESTIGATE A POTENTIAL CIVIL CLAIM AGAINST THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE, PLEASE CALL US ON 03 9415 9999 TO HAVE A CONFIDENTIAL DISCUSSION ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS.
In pursuit of justice
In The News
Testimonials

  • Dear Viv and Staff, thank you so much. You are all wonderful.

    E, L & J

  • As a mother, I write to express my gratitude to you and your team for the support of my daughter following her sexual assault three years ago.  Although the bloke who assaulted her was not charged the dollars being awarded to her following your intervention certainly acknowledges the wrong that was done – and will I hope, help her to move on.  Thank you for the work you do.  With much gratitude and appreciation.

    PS

  • It is with both great relief and admiration that I write this letter to you. A consummate professional and an amazingly beautiful human being you are. Thank you for doing such an exemplary job in resolving these issues for me, and supporting me with both compassion and instruction as my representative throughout this ordeal. I am painfully aware that no amount of retribution / compensation can replace what was taken, but I am hoping it can propel myself forward to achieve some sort of normality in my life. With respect and gratitude.

    JZ

  • Thank you so much from me personally.  This decision has actually turned my life back around.  I didn’t realise how much my heart was hurting from anger and disbelief in the system.

    My heart is lighter and more at peace thanks to you all.  As a family we are unable to find suitable words on how much your efforts, consideration and concern means to us.  At last someone fought and believed in us.  Truly you have given us all so much peace.

    WK

  • You are a wonderful warrior for truth and justice.

    Mary

  • Yes indeed, thank you Vivian for your perseverance and dedication in doing whatever you can to bring about some justice in the absence of a full ecclesiastical council/court to judge publicly those who have violated not only the natural law, but the law of God in whose name these violations have taken place.

    Kathleen

  • Everything is different now.  My journey is over now.

    KF

  • Dear Vivian,

    I wish to thank you for everything you have done to enable me to feel some justice has been achieved with the hope that the Catholic Church recognises it’s failings and addresses them.  In doing so, the Catholic Church can continue in the future, without public cynicism and to keep alive the central message of all religion, “to love thy neighbour as you would love yourself”.

    Essentially, this is asking us to step into another’s shoes before we judge them.  I feel that you did this for me during my conversations with me, and this made it easier for me to go through the whole process.  I also won’t forget the thoroughness and delightful manner of your staff.

    JA

  • Thank you for what you did, what you said and who you are, your thoughtfulness will always be remembered with more gratitude that you could ever know.

    Cheryl

  • I would like to thank you for all you have done for me. The steps taken thus far have helped me greatly. Without your help I am not sure where I would be today, on behalf of myself and my family THANKYOU SO MUCH.

    Garry
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