Life and Support After Institutional Abuse
1. National Redress Scheme
Drummond street services is a Redress Support Service provider. We offer free and confidential support to anyone considering applying to the National Redress Scheme. Recognising that many people connect with family, friends and other people to get support with completing an application we can also provide assistance to the supporters of survivors.
The National Redress Scheme offers acknowledgement and support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.
It 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.
Redress is an alternative to seeking compensation through the courts.
Our service can assist in the process of making an application as well as providing practical and emotional support including;
- Information and resources
- Assistance with considering an application to the National Redress Scheme
- Support throughout the Redress application process
- Ongoing support for those waiting for an offer from the National Redress Scheme
- Connections and referrals to support from other services, including free legal and financial counselling services
- Drummond street services also can provide support for survivors and families and loved ones of institutional child sexual abuse who are not going through the national redress Scheme but may have decided to go through the court system
Email: enquiries@ds.org.au
Restore Counselling
Restore is the counselling service for people who applied to the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse while living in Victoria and have accepted an offer of counselling.
- You are believed and heard
- We aim to support individuals to move towards safety and stabilisation
- We provide a place to support you through facilitated trauma processing with a view to encourage connection and compassion to self
- We support you to strengthen relationships that are meaningful for you to others in your circle and to the wider community
- We will uphold your rights for social inclusion and community participation
- We will tailor the support to your goals
- You are in the driver’s seat and we will work alongside you in this therapeutic process
- You will work with practitioners who draw from evidence-based practise, a trauma informed framework and who have an understanding of the impact of institutional abuse
Email: enquiries@ds.org.au
Family, Friends and Loved Ones
I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself, my name is Andrea and l am a Peer Recovery Support Worker for families and loved ones.
I continue to support my loved one through their journey and understand the ripple effect of caring for a loved one of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.
It is human nature to be overloaded with mixed emotions. Hope through kindness and support can be restored. I can support you through exploring ways to assist in finding your happiness, either finding new interests or rediscovering old ones.
We often don’t recognise the impacts on us. Peer support is a helpful way to feel validated in the supports you give others. By sharing your experiences and having a friendly ear that understands, values your concerns, values your opinions and values you.
This program has been designed with a practitioner as well as loved ones of survivors and provides extra support in times of crisis. All appointments are confidential and private.
Andrea, Peer Recovery Support Worker
email us at redress@ds.org.au
Join our private Facebook group – Families, loved ones and carers of survivors
Community Support
We believe you.
We understand the impacts of trauma and the unique nature of surviving institutional abuse.
We also understand that your journey is your own and for many it has been a lifelong one.
We are here to listen to you and hear your story.
Hi, my name is Merrin Wake, as a survivor, I am passionate about creating spaces that limit the creation of more pain as well as safe spaces that support survivors where they are. I understand the roller coaster of survival and I am keen for you to help us do this work.
I am a community engagement worker with drummond street services. My role is to listen to you and support your voice to help us design the support we offer.
We understand that systems you have navigated for years may have been hard. It’s important to us all at drummond street that the support we offer is trauma informed and puts you and your support network at the centre of what we do.
There are many ways you can be a part of this service and of drummond Street.
As a family, carer or loved one supporting a survival of institutional abuse you can join our Facebook page to interact with others and gain support from our peer support worker.
You can email us directly at cwsjustice@ds.org.au
You can ring us on +61 3 8548 4970.
