The National Redress Scheme was established after the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse recommended setting up a less traumatic, non-adversarial alternative to seeking compensation through the courts. Redress consists of three things: a monetary payment, access to counselling, and an opportunity to receive an apology from the institution, called a Direct Personal Response.

This ‘How-To’ explainer features a personal story from a survivor who sought redress through the National Redress Scheme. We'll also hear reflections from a former Royal Commissioner, a legal expert, redress support service workers, and a counsellor. This episode is specifically designed to help potential applicants (and their supporters) understand the scheme, its benefits, how to access it, and what they might be able to expect from the experience.

Originally completed in 2021, this episode was updated in June 2024 to reflect recent legislative changes intended to improve the Redress Scheme.

Featuring (in order of appearance): Tony Daly, Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM, Prue Gregory OAM (SAMSN’s Policy, Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations Manager), Rachel Neil (Principal Lawyer, Knowmore Legal Service), David (SAMSN planned support worker), Gill (SAMSN counsellor).

Thanks to:
The National Redress Scheme https://www.nationalredress.gov.au/
knowmore legal service https://knowmore.org.au

Music: Licensed via Audiio.com
TONY / FELICITY / ROB - Julep House: Wanted Man
CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)

Male survivors often try to forget or bury their experiences of abuse and use a range of strategies to block out the memories and feelings. These can look like drug and alcohol use, gambling, workaholism, and sex addictions… but frequently, they don't make the link between what happened to them as children or young guys, and their current ways of managing their life.

The tactics that abusers use mean that survivors often carry heavy legacies, like being made to feel complicit and responsible for aspects of the abuse, and being forced to keep the abuse secret in order to protect others. This often results in feelings of powerlessness, anger, shame and self-blame.

Managing these burdens requires - in the words of psychologists Sophie Reid and Jace Cannon Brookes - “ingenious survival”. The survivors in this episode share some of their survival strategies.

Featuring (in order of appearance): Shane Greentree (SAMSN), Adam S, Matthew O, Ryan C, Lindsay G, Clinical Psychologists Jace Cannon-Brooks & Sophie Reid (Birchtree Centre), Phillip S, Jarad G, Janet, Les S, Martin W, Craig Hughes-Cashmore (SAMSN, MD/CEO), Rae Boxwell (SAMSN, Counsellor), Brett Pickard (SAMSN, Eight-week Support Group facilitator), Pete R.

Resources for survivors:

https://www.samsn.org.au/recovery-and-healing/resources-for-survivors/

Thanks to:

All our wonderful interviewees!
Rob Carlton and Felicity Blake
Jace Cannon-Brooks & Sophie Reid, Birchtree Centre
Peter Bolam
And The National Redress Scheme

Music: Licensed via Audiio.com

• SHANE - Sebastian Kauderer: Stay With Me (Instrumental)
• ADAM, MATTHEW, RYAN - Matthew Wright: Theme
• JANET - Richard Smithson: Sometimes I Don't Know Who I Am
• MARTIN - The Future Reality: Iridescent
• MARTIN - Marshall Usinger: Everything We Hoped For
• AD / RIC HERBERT - Sebastian Kauderer: Two Big Reasons
• LINDSAY, ADAM, LES, RYAN, PHIL (CLOSING) - Kevin Bean: Willow
• CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2013 - 2017) was established by the Commonwealth government to inquire into and report on responses by institutions (such as churches, schools, sporting groups and out-of-home care) to instances and allegations of child sexual abuse in Australia.

To be abused by someone who has authority over you causes unique impacts for men. A significant number of child sexual abuse survivors are abused outside the home by male authority figures working in trusted institutions, such as religious leaders, teachers or coaches. These figures were often role models. When survivors tried to disclose or report to authority figures they were often disbelieved, re-traumatised and sometimes re-abused. This abuse of power by perpetrators and institutions with authority has caused significant long-term harm, including fear, distrust, avoidance and sometimes hatred of authority that can lead to clashes with teachers, bosses and those in positions of power. This sets many men on a life course leading to denied opportunities, failure to achieve, and clashes with authority figures.

This episode shares some personal experiences of engagement with the Commission, as survivors spoke out to the community (often for the first time) about their abuse, their quest to be heard, and pursuit of justice and redress from the institution in which they were abused.

Featuring (in order of appearance): Lindsay G, Journalist Philippa McDonald, Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM, Professor Rita Shackel, Dr Judy Cashmore, Sheridan, Pete R.

Thanks to: Ric Herbert and Pearl Herbert for our ad

Music: Licensed via Audiio.com

• LINDSAY - Farewell (Instrumental)
• AD / RIC HERBERT - Sebastian Kauderer: Two Big Reasons (Instrumental)
• PHILIPPA - Centre of the Sea: Condolences (Instrumental)
• PETE / FELICITY - Outland: Footprints (Instrumental)
• PHILIPPA - Sebastian Kauderer: Saving Carl
• CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)