Foster care abuse lawyers – legal support for survivors

Institutional abuse can happen anywhere a person is under the care, custody or supervision of an organisation. These environments often involve situations where individuals are vulnerable and protection is expected.

Common environments include:

• schools: including public, private, and boarding schools.
• religious institutions: churches and affiliated organisations.
• foster care and out-of-home care: including state or private placements.
• youth detention and correctional centres: where oversight may be limited.
• aged care facilities: where mistreatment of elderly Australians may go unreported.
• The Australian Defence Force (ADF): including military training environments and cadet programs.
• state-run institutions: such as hospitals, prisons and state departments.
• sporting clubs: includes any youth sporting environment, such as football, tennis or cricket.

You may be eligible to make a claim if:

• You are a survivor of abuse- as a child or vulnerable adult at the time.
• You are a family member of someone who has passed away or is unable to make a claim themselves.

There is no standard timeframe for healing, and for many survivors, it takes years to come forward. In many cases of historical abuse, particularly child sexual abuse, Australian legislation provides flexibility around timeframes.

Examples of eligible scenarios include:

• Children abused in boarding schools or religious schools
• Former wards of the state harmed in care
• Adults abused during military training
• Individuals subjected to abuse in group homes or sporting clubs

Survivors may be entitled to compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of income and earning potential
• Psychological support and medical costs
• Ongoing care, counselling or therapy

Depending on your circumstances, compensation may be provided as a lump sum or through structured settlements. Both economic and non-economic losses are considered.