Girl Guides in Australia join the National Redress Scheme

Girl Guides Australia, Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT, Girl Guides South Australia, Girl Guides Tasmania, Girl Guides Victoria and Girl Guides Western Australia, as the largest national collective of leadership development organisations for girls and young women, have joined the National Redress Scheme, ensuring survivors of institutional child sexual abuse under the jurisdictions of Girl Guides Australia, Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT, Girl Guides South Australia, Girl Guides Tasmania, Girl Guides Victoria and Girl Guides Western Australia are acknowledged, recognised and supported.

The National Redress Scheme was created in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which estimated that 60,000 people experienced institutional child sexual abuse in Australia. The scheme provides acknowledgement and support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

Girl Guides Australia’s Chair Janet Torney said that these organisations responsible for Guiding in Australia have taken a strong and important stance.
“The decision to register a letter of intent with the Scheme is a clear statement regarding Guiding in Australia’s position on the issue of child sexual abuse, that abuse will not be tolerated and that Guiding in Australia acknowledges the catastrophic impact abuse has on the lives of those abused, and their families and friends,” she said.

Girl Guides Australia’s Chief Commissioner Rosemary Derwin said Guiding in Australia is committed to participate in the Scheme.
“Girl Guides Australia and participating State Girl Guide Organisations are strongly aligned to the values and expectations of the National Redress Scheme. We are committed to the principles of the Scheme and are prepared to work closely with the Scheme in support of any survivors that may come forward” she said.

The National Redress Scheme, which started on 1 July 2018, will run for 10 years and can provide survivors with access to counselling, a redress payment and/or a direct personal response from the institution (such as an apology) for survivors who want it. Free and confidential redress support services are available for anyone applying, or considering applying, for redress. These services can help explain the scheme and who can apply.

For more information, visit www.nationalredress.gov.au  or call 1800 737 377.