TasVOCAL

TasVOCAL is a legal and support service that provides legal advice around options for the National Redress Scheme, civil litigation, victims of crime compensation, police contacts and therapeutic options for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse in Tasmania. 

The aim is to support clients to seek compensation and help survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and to help them understand their options and rights in navigating the National Redress Scheme.

The National Redress Scheme (often referred to just NRS) is a scheme to provide survivors recognition of institutional childhood sexual abuse experienced prior to 1 July 2018.

Someone who successfully access the scheme can receive

• A payment of up to $150,000 depending on the circumstances. This will be assessed by the
  Scheme and most people will not receive the maximum amount.
• Counselling and psychological support.
• A personal response or apology from the institution that was responsible for the abuse.

It does not cost anything to apply to the Scheme. Applications are open until 30 June 2027.

TasVOCAL can do these things:

talk with you about your options for redress or
compensation

• talk with you about your options for redress or compensation
• give you legal help if you are considering an application to the National Redress Scheme or if you receive a National Redress Scheme offer. We work closely with Redress Support Services and may refer you to one of these services for assistance.
• discuss referral options for making a civil claim
• provide legal help about the payments available through victims support schemes and other schemes
• help you get access to documents
• talk with you about your options if you wish to report child abuse.

We may refer you to a more appropriate service or lawyer if we cannot assist you.

A civil claim against an institution is a compensation claim for injury and loss which occurred as a result of an institution’s failure to care and protect a survivor from childhood sexual abuse. The civil claim might contain compensation for physical or psychiatric injury and financial loss.

A civil claim can also be made against the perpetrator if they are still alive.

There is no time limit for making a civil claim for childhood sexual abuse.

For more information see our Self Help Civil Claim Info.

In Tasmania, the compensation options for survivors of childhood sexual abuse may include:

• the National Redress Scheme
• a civil claim
• Victims of Crime Assistance
• an institutional redress scheme
• criminal injuries compensation.

For more information see our Self Help Compensation Options.