Greens spokesperson for Child Protection Hon Alison Xamon MLC has today called for justice for the Western Australian survivors of institutional child abuse who do not qualify for compensation under the National Redress Scheme because they did not suffer sexual abuse.
Backing the Make Redress Right Campaign, initiated by Tuart Place, Ms Xamon said applicants were significantly re-traumatised during the WA Redress Scheme when compensation levels were halved after people had applied.
She said about half of the 5,500 WA care leavers who applied for the WA Redress Scheme, who experienced horrific abuse and neglect, had now been excluded from the national scheme.
“These are people who experienced physical violence and brutality; cruelty and humiliation; solitary confinement; denial of education; lack of food and adequate clothing; insufficient bedding; medical experimentation; excessive unpaid child labour; poor record-keeping practices, and neglect in all its different forms, while in the care of the state,” Ms Xamon said.
“However, this cohort of survivors will not be recognised under the National Redress Scheme because they were not sexually abused.
“These forms of neglect and abuse have not been found to be less harmful to children than sexual abuse, especially when endured in combination in institutional settings.
“Time is running out to right the wrongs inflicted upon this group of survivors – many are now aged in their 70s and 80s.”
Ms Xamon urged the Government to support the Make Redress Right campaign and right the wrongs of the past, before it was too late.
