Emma Ryan for Lawyers Weekly writes:
According to Bennett & Philp Lawyers director Mark O’Connor, the scheme’s maximum payout falls “well short” of the recommended payments.
In addition, Mr O’Connor said some victims “will have to jump through bureaucratic hoops to be compensated”, particularly when “the redress scheme as created has a $50,000 shortfall on the recommended payouts, and is maddeningly vague on defining terms such as ‘penetration’,” he said.
In conclusion, Mr O’Connor acknowledged that while the national redress scheme for victims of child sexual abuse is one long overdue and welcome, he noted there needs to be a broader interpretation of the various categories of abuse.
“For example there’s no general interpretation of the term ‘penetration’. We would argue it should include oral sex but apparently it does not cover that so victims in that category could be denied their full entitlements,” he said.
https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/sme-law/24339-lawyer-calls-out-flawed-child-abuse-redress-scheme?
Skip to content