The Work We Do
Litigation
We run common law claims in the Supreme and County Courts for compensation against schools, churches, religious authorities, hospitals, medical clinics, child care facilities or other institutions in which abuse occurred.
Out of Court Settlements (or Alternative Dispute Resolution)
We also help people settle their claims out of court. We’ve resolved lots of cases out of court against the Salvation Army, and taken cases against the Scouts and the YMCA. We have resolved hundreds of cases for clients who have been sexually abused by Catholic Clergy, particularly Christian Brothers and Catholic priests.
Sentencing Act Applications
Where there has been a criminal conviction against the offender we can make an application against the offender for compensation under the Sentencing Act. This becomes part of the criminal process following the conviction.
“Towards Healing” and “Melbourne Response”
We also represent clients who wish to progress a claim through the church established schemes such as the Melbourne Response (for complaints about offenders falling within the responsibility of Archdiocese of Melbourne) and Towards Healing (for complaints about offenders falling within the responsibility of the rest of the Catholic Church in Australia). Often though, much better outcomes can be achieved by avoiding “in house” church designed processes. We will advise you about the best option in your case. We recommend that you understand the options available to you and don’t just follow any church based or “Professional Standards” recommendation to use their own “Towards Healing” or the “Melbourne Response” processes.
State Wards
We look after former state wards who were abused while in residential institutions, children’s homes and orphanages. Dr Vivian Waller has been running state ward cases since the mid 1990’s, when she ran claims on behalf of clients abused as children at the Ballarat Orphanage. Our work with care leavers has continued to be a very important part of our practice.
British Child Migrants
We have acted for hundreds of British Child Migrants and others abused in Christian Brothers homes in Western Australia including Bindoon, Clontarf, Castledare and Tardun.
Indigenous Australians
We act for Indigenous Australians in relation to abuse in missions, schools and orphanages. We are happy to travel to remote communities.
Superannuation and Insurance
Often those who have experienced abuse in their childhood have had disjointed or unstable adult working lives. There may have been periods of time where they have been unable to work due to psychological or physical illness or disability. We help clients assess any entitlements they may have under their superannuation or insurance. Sometimes clients have entitlements that they didn’t even know existed.
VOCAT Tribunal
We help people with applications to the Victims of Crimes Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT).
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
We have represented 20 survivor and related witnesses in five different Royal Commission hearings (Case Study 16, Case Study 22, Case Study 28, Case Study 30 and Case Study 38).
We have also written submissions for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2016).
The Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry and Law Reform
We have written submissions to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Organisations (2013).
We have consulted with the Law Institute of Victoria and the Department of Justice about law reform in the sexual assault area.
We continue to agitate for law reform and access to justice for all sexual assault survivors.
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TESTIMONIALS
Read some words of praise from previous clients.