“… the fundamental object of redress must be to help those who have suffered to heal and live a productive and fulfilled life”.
Justice Peter McClellan, Chair, Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
The Uniting Church in Australia has expressed its support for a truly independent national redress scheme, which provides justice, certainty, equity, transparency and consistency in redress for all survivors.
The Synod of Western Australia is also committed to doing all we can to provide fair, consistent and compassionate redress measures for survivors who were sexually abused as children while in our care.
National Redress Scheme
On 29 March 2019 the National Redress Scheme finally announced that the Uniting Church in Australia had successfully joined as a Participating Institution and survivors who had been sexually abused in our children’s homes, schools, colleges and community services could now have their applications processed.
In order to join the Scheme the Uniting Church has established a national vehicle, the UCA Redress Ltd, to handle the redress claims for survivors of child sexual abuse.
President Dr Deidre Palmer has affirmed the Uniting Church’s commitment to the National Redress Scheme and acknowledged the pain caused for survivors, who were waiting to access redress through the National Redress Scheme.
“For those who might have been concerned about our commitment, please be assured that we are working to make amends and to ensure that our Church has a strong and robust culture of child safety that empowers children and adults in our care.”
“For anyone who was abused in the care of the Uniting Church, in our churches, schools or agencies, I’d again like to apologise sincerely. I am truly sorry that we didn’t protect and care for you in accordance with our Christian values,” said Dr Palmer.
We encourage survivors to make an application for redress under the Government’s National Redress Scheme. Go to the Scheme’s website here.
Uniting Church Participating Institutions
Here is the list of all of the Uniting Church’s Participating Institutions who are listed on the National Redress Scheme website including the predecessor churches of the Uniting Church; former children’s homes; schools and colleges; and charitable community services. You can also search for these institutions on the Scheme website here.
Uniting Church in Australia
Presbyterian Church; Congregational Church; Methodist Church; WA Synod; Uniting Church in Australia WA Synod Property Trust
Former Children’s Homes
Burnbrae in Byford; Benmore in Caversham; Presbyterian Children’s Homes; Presbyterian Council Children’s Homes; Uniting Church
Methodist Homes for Children; Mofflyn House; Werribee Farm School; Mofflyn Child and Family Services; UnitingCare West; Uniting Church
Mogumber Mission; Methodist Overseas Mission; Mogumber Methodist Training Centre; Uniting Church
Sister Kate’s; Presbyterian Children’s Home; Sister Kate’s Child and Family Centre; Manguri; Uniting Church
Schools and Colleges
Methodist Ladies College; MLC
Penrhos College
Presbyterian Ladies College; PLC
Scotch College
St Stephen’s School
Tranby College
Wesley College
Charitable Community Services
Good Samaritan Industries; Good Sammies; GSI
Services and Support
knowmore
Free legal advice from knowmore which is an independent service assisting survivors of abuse by providing them with information and advice about the justice and redress options that may be available to them. Their specialist counsellors/social workers will support you in obtaining their services. If you require further support, they will also help you to access the most appropriate services. Free advice line 1800 605 762. https://knowmore.org.au/about-us/
Blue Knot Foundation
Free confidential support can be obtained by ringing a qualified counsellor at the Blue Knot Foundation helpline on: 1300 657 380. https://www.blueknot.org.au/
Tuart Place
West Australian resource service for adults who were in any type of out-of-home care during childhood, including foster care and children’s Homes. The governing body is Forgotten Australians Coming Together Inc. (FACT).
Visit their website at: https://www.tuartplace.org/
Emergency Services
If you need help urgently, please contact the following 24-hour support services:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78
Contact Us
All enquiries are confidential and are treated in a timely and sensitive way.
Phone: 9260 9800
Email: UCWAredress@wa.uca.org.au
Mail: “Confidential”
The Uniting Church in Australia, WA Synod
GPO Box M952
Perth WA 6843
