AUSTRALIA
The Age
Editorial
The royal commission into child sex abuse has been a gruelling though enormously important process. It has been shocking and disturbing to learn the extent of institutional abuse of children. But we look back at history to learn from it, and it must be hoped that the work of the commission will lead to systemic changes and checks and balances that ensure this appalling abuse can never happen again.
Another crucial goal is of course support and justice for the survivors of abuse, and with this in mind it is welcome news that the federal government is launching a compensation fund for child victims of abuse. But there is a glaring flaw in the scheme.
The national scheme, a key recommendation from the royal commission, will compensate victims of child sexual abuse with payments of up to $150,000, cutting much of the existing red tape. But it will be opt-in only. Those states, churches and charities that do not want to contribute financially won’t have to, dodging their responsibilities.
Spruiking the news last week, Social Services Minister Christian Porter said important features of the scheme included that it would offer specialist psychological support to victims as well as allowing them, if they wish, to have direct contact with senior representatives of the institutions that were responsible at the time of their abuse. These initiatives have been welcomed by abuse survivors and advocacy groups. Having the truth of their experiences validated is a powerful part of the process of working towards healing.
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