Mattioli
Gianni Mattoli Director 0412 360 378 E: gianni@mattoli.com.au E: marketing@mattioli.com.au Tony Aloi National Operations Manager 0425 762 864 E: tony@mattoli.com.au MEL · SYD · ADE…
read moreA stalemate over redress payments to victims of child sexual abuse in sporting institutions has been overcome with an agreement reached between states, territories and the Federal Government.
As reported by the ABC, an earlier stalemate in which the Northern Territory Government had resisted funding the scheme has been overcome, with governments now agreeing to step in to fund the compensation owed by organisations that refuse to join the National Redress Scheme for victims of institutional sexual abuse.
At least 50 survivor applications from those abused within sporting associations that have refused to join the National Redress Scheme have been unable to progress, with a number of victims having waited almost eight years since the scheme was established in 2018.
On Wednesday, the ABC revealed all state and territory governments, except the Northern Territory, had signed up to foot the compensation bill left by organisations refusing to sign on to the National Redress Scheme.
As all jurisdictions are required to sign on for the changes to go ahead, the Northern Territory’s agreement - set to be confirmed by a cabinet vote next week - can now proceed.
12 organisations have refused to join the National Redress Scheme for victims of child sexual abuse.
The majority are sporting organisations, which, unlike religious organisations, cannot be threatened with having their charitable status revoked if they don't help compensate victim survivors.
Organisations refusing to join the scheme
In a statement, the acting Northern Territory Attorney-General Gerard Maley said the government will begin taking the necessary steps to enact the change following territory cabinet approval, stating
"The NT will not stand in the way of this important issue.”
With the scheme facing a substantial backlog, the Parliamentary Inquiry into its operation last month recommended the Federal Government increase funding to the Department of Social Services and redress and legal support services to ensure all applications can be finalised on time.
In a statement to the ABC, Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth pointed to $142 million over five years announced earlier this year for the scheme's operations and a new service to support applicants who made incomplete applications.
Minister Rishworth urged the organisations included on the "name and shame" list to reconsider their refusal to join the scheme, stating "I call on each of these institutions to do the right thing by survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, reverse their decision and join the scheme as a priority.
"Survivors have waited too long."
Currently, the scheme is scheduled to end in 2028, but the recent parliamentary review into the program recommended it be extended beyond that date to meet demand.
Image credit: Shutterstock.
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2nd November 2024 - Former coach Daniel Benson imprisoned for eight and a half year over decades-long sexual abuse of young gymnasts
21st December 2023 - Perth karate instructor Gavin Michael Smith gets eight year jail term over sexual abuse of teenage student
16th November 2023 - 32 year jail sentence for Sydney swimming teacher over child sexual abuse
9th November 2023 - AFL’s Western Bulldogs ordered to pay record fine to child sexual abuse victim
3rd November 2023 - New eSafety resources aim to tackle online abuse in sport
24th August 2023 - Gymnastics Australia joins national redress scheme to compensate survivors of child sexual abuse
14th June 2023 - Sydney swim teacher found guilty of 43 child sexual abuse charges in NSW District Court
23rd May 2023 - Former rock climbing coach sentenced to 13 year jail term over multiple sexual abuse offences
22nd June 2022 - NSW Police charge former swim coach over historical sexual abuse of young athletes
20th April 2022 - Sport Integrity Australia review finds gymnasts suffered abuse while participating in the WAIS Program
14th February 2022 - Review of gymnastics at the Western Australian Institute of Sport recommends apology to abused athletes
21st January 2022 - Swimming Australia announces ‘unreserved apology’ over historic abuse of young female athletes
5th November 2021 - Netball Australia commits to tackling online abuse
6th October 2021 - Elite swimming rocked by new sexual abuse allegations
19th September 2021 - Senior Rugby Australia executive arrested over possession of child sexual abuse material
1st September 2021 - Sexual abuse victims urge Canberra’s Forrest Tennis Club to sign up to National Redress Scheme
4th May 2021 - Review reveals ‘toxic’ environment within Australian gymnastics with culture of physical, emotional and sexual abuse
2nd May 2021 - Awaiting release of Human Rights Commission’s review Australian Sports Commission launches services to support abused gymnasts
19th October 2020 - Basketball Australia advises of intention to join redress scheme
23rd August 2020 - Lawyer warns that Gymnastics Australia inquiry will reveal ‘spectrum’ of abuse allegations
18th June 2020 - Netball Australia to join National Redress Scheme
18th February 2020 - Australian Olympic Committee Chief Executive warns sport bodies may struggle with national redress scheme claims
22nd March 2019 - Sydney swim school to introduce ‘additional safety measures’ after teacher accused of child sex abuse
15th March 2019 - Sydney swim teacher charged over sexual abuse of young girls
16th September 2016 - YMCA Australia issues public apology to past victims of sexual abuse
12th April 2016 - Tennis NSW disregarded welfare of abused youth player
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Gianni Mattoli Director 0412 360 378 E: gianni@mattoli.com.au E: marketing@mattioli.com.au Tony Aloi National Operations Manager 0425 762 864 E: tony@mattoli.com.au MEL · SYD · ADE…
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