Today, the YMCA in Australia is pleased to announce its intention to join the National Redress Scheme.
We are working with all 19 YMCAs across Australia on the necessary steps to ensure we can all be part of the National Redress Scheme when it commences on 1 July. The National Board of YMCA Australia has formally resolved to support this process.
We urge the WA Government to formally declare it will opt in to the Scheme to give survivors the reassurance they will finally have a truly national redress scheme.
The establishment of the National Redress Scheme is a critical recommendation from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and we urge all non-government institutions across Australia to join with us and opt in to the Scheme.
“We all share the responsibility for responding to survivors of child abuse, just as we all share the responsibility to make sure every child in Australia is safe and protected.
“We can’t change the past for survivors, but we can change their future. An effective national redress scheme is critical for ensuring justice and healing for survivors.” said Melinda Crole, CEO YMCA Australia.
In 2016, YMCA established a redress scheme of its own, but this was always intended as an interim solution until a national scheme was established.
With the establishment of the National Redress Scheme, YMCA hopes survivors of institutional child sexual abuse will finally feel heard and have the support and recognition they deserve.
Information for survivors on the National Redress Scheme
Please visit this web page set up by the Federal Government with information for survivors about the scheme's implementation from 1 July 2018.