Supporting people who experienced sexual abuse as a child in an institution

There is free and culturally appropriate support available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Queensland who experienced sexual abuse as a child in an institution, and those supporting them.

The National Redress Scheme can provide you with safe and respectful support and information provided by a culturally competent workforce.

Sharing your experience and getting support can help with your healing.

Redress could mean:

  • a direct personal response from an institution (for example, an apology)
  • counselling
  • a payment of money.

There are free, confidential, and culturally-appropriate services who can help people to understand their options.

Redress Support Services such as Bravehearts can provide people throughout Queensland with support to share their experience and access the Scheme.

There are people like the case managers at Bravehearts who can answer questions, help people to fill out the application form, and support people along the way.

“Doing this work and supporting our clients is just so rewarding – at the end of the redress process one of my clients said that the pause button has been taken off her life and the play button has been pressed,” says a Bravehearts case manager. 

“In a lot of cases the redress process is healing for those who go through it – one of our clients said that they’ve lived their life in black and white, and now it is in colour,” explains another Bravehearts case manager. 

Contact the National Redress Scheme for free and confidential information and support, and to find the service that can help you in your area.

Visit www.nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377.

Latest news in the Northern Queensland region

The power of Primary Sense

Unlocking the power of Primary Sense: Why every GP should have access at their fingertips In today’s evolving primary care...

Joint report sets future health priorities for northern Queensland

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), in partnership with the Torres and Cape, Cairns and Hinterland, Townsville, and Mackay Hospital...

NQPHN launches bold new Strategic Plan as PHNs mark 10 years

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) has officially launched its new Strategic Plan 2025–2028 – a bold and future-focused roadmap...