The backlog of active cases before the child abuse redress scheme has almost doubled in less than 10 months, increasing delays in processing survivors’ claims and prompting renewed calls for greater resourcing.
Data released by the scheme this week shows it is processing 7,823 claims from survivors, a sharp increase on the 4,196 as of 27 January.
The total number of claims “on hand” with the scheme has risen from 10,682 to 16,842 in the same timeframe. That figure includes matters that cannot be progressed for reasons outside of the scheme’s control, including because it is waiting on responses or information from survivors or institutions.
Average waiting times for the completion of redress applications have increased at the same time as the spike in applications.
The average processing time for an application – not counting delays caused by factors outside of the scheme’s control – is now 8.2 months. That is an increase from an average of 7.6 months in January. The average time it takes for an application to be processed entirely is just under 12 months, which is up slightly on the 11.8-month average in January.
The influx of applications is due to reforms introduced this year to remove barriers to applying for redress – a move broadly welcomed by advocates. The reforms simplify the online application process and remove the need for statutory declarations.
The government has also boosted the number of independent decision makers who are working on applications for redress, funding seven new roles as part of a $142m injection in this year’s budget.
But advocates are concerned the funding does not go far enough.
Dr Cathy Kezelman, president of Blue Knot Foundation, said it was encouraging to see a continued increase in applications but warned the scheme needed more resources to address the added workload.
“This will unfortunately mean additional delays for survivors seeking redress,” she said. “This can be especially challenging for people who’ve often waited countless decades already just to be heard and believed at all.
“It is critical that the government commits additional funds without delay to secure the additional staff and systems’ refinements needed to minimise delays and provide redress to those harmed in Australian institutions.”
The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, said she had delivered reforms designed to ensure the scheme operated in a timely and trauma-informed way, but signalled further improvements in line with the recommendations of a second-year review of the scheme.
“All Australian governments – state, territory and commonwealth – are resolute that we create the best outcomes for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse,” she said.
“We are constantly reviewing and evaluating the scheme, as well as working with the Survivor Roundtable to address issues. One of the key barriers to accessing the scheme was the time-consuming online application, which we have now simplified. This has led to more people being able to access redress.”
The scheme has now been operating for almost five years, after being established in the wake of the 2013 royal commission. It offers capped amounts of compensation to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.
The changes to simplify applications and remove the need for statutory declarations led one major church insurer, ACS Mutual, to withdraw its coverage for redress for almost 1,000 churches under the umbrella of Australian Christian Churches, United Pentecostal church of Australia, CRC churches and C3 churches. The move was described as a “stunning blow” to survivors and created significant uncertainty about the continued participation of those institutions in the scheme.
• In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International
