A parliamentary question regarding the Redress WA scheme, specifically addressing the assessment process for abuse victims seeking compensation. The Minister provides details on how severity is determined, who the assessors are, and what evidence is required.

AnsweredQoN 102Legislative Council
Asked
27 February 2008
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

REDRESS WA APPLICATIONS
I refer to Redress WA and the payments of $10 000 and $80 000 to people who suffered abuse while in state care, and the fact that payment is based on the severity and impact of the abuse suffered. Assessors will review all applications, and, if such applications are successful, will determine which option is suitable based on the evidence available. (1) How will the assessors determine that severity? (2) Who will be the assessors? (3) Can the minister name the assessors and their qualifications? (4) What proof will the victims of abuse need to produce to prove they were victims? I ask this question because I am very concerned about how elderly people will prove that they have been abused, and the emotions proving that abuse will evoke in them. Hon SUE ELLERY

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Severity will be determined on the amount of harm, injury or loss suffered in an individual’s past, and their present and future circumstances. (2) All applications for Redress payments will be subject to an internal departmental assessment by personnel with extensive experience in assessing injury and loss, and then approved by a Redress review panel which will comprise a solicitor, psychologist, social workers with experience in child protection, and representatives of victim advocacy groups. (3) The process of administration leading to selection and appointment of assessors and review panel members has not yet concluded. (4) Evidence will include the applicant’s personal account, any available child protection or police records, and, where relevant, medical and psychological evidence, as well as common accounts of abuse that may emerge across applications. I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.
(1) How will the assessors determine that severity? (2) Who will be the assessors? (3) Can the minister name the assessors and their qualifications? (4) What proof will the victims of abuse need to produce to prove they were victims? I ask this question because I am very concerned about how elderly people will prove that they have been abused, and the emotions proving that abuse will evoke in them. Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Severity will be determined on the amount of harm, injury or loss suffered in an individual’s past, and their present and future circumstances. (2) All applications for Redress payments will be subject to an internal departmental assessment by personnel with extensive experience in assessing injury and loss, and then approved by a Redress review panel which will comprise a solicitor, psychologist, social workers with experience in child protection, and representatives of victim advocacy groups. (3) The process of administration leading to selection and appointment of assessors and review panel members has not yet concluded. (4) Evidence will include the applicant’s personal account, any available child protection or police records, and, where relevant, medical and psychological evidence, as well as common accounts of abuse that may emerge across applications. I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.
(2) Who will be the assessors? (3) Can the minister name the assessors and their qualifications? (4) What proof will the victims of abuse need to produce to prove they were victims? I ask this question because I am very concerned about how elderly people will prove that they have been abused, and the emotions proving that abuse will evoke in them. Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Severity will be determined on the amount of harm, injury or loss suffered in an individual’s past, and their present and future circumstances. (2) All applications for Redress payments will be subject to an internal departmental assessment by personnel with extensive experience in assessing injury and loss, and then approved by a Redress review panel which will comprise a solicitor, psychologist, social workers with experience in child protection, and representatives of victim advocacy groups. (3) The process of administration leading to selection and appointment of assessors and review panel members has not yet concluded. (4) Evidence will include the applicant’s personal account, any available child protection or police records, and, where relevant, medical and psychological evidence, as well as common accounts of abuse that may emerge across applications. I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.
(3) Can the minister name the assessors and their qualifications? (4) What proof will the victims of abuse need to produce to prove they were victims? I ask this question because I am very concerned about how elderly people will prove that they have been abused, and the emotions proving that abuse will evoke in them. Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Severity will be determined on the amount of harm, injury or loss suffered in an individual’s past, and their present and future circumstances. (2) All applications for Redress payments will be subject to an internal departmental assessment by personnel with extensive experience in assessing injury and loss, and then approved by a Redress review panel which will comprise a solicitor, psychologist, social workers with experience in child protection, and representatives of victim advocacy groups. (3) The process of administration leading to selection and appointment of assessors and review panel members has not yet concluded. (4) Evidence will include the applicant’s personal account, any available child protection or police records, and, where relevant, medical and psychological evidence, as well as common accounts of abuse that may emerge across applications. I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.
(4) What proof will the victims of abuse need to produce to prove they were victims? I ask this question because I am very concerned about how elderly people will prove that they have been abused, and the emotions proving that abuse will evoke in them. Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Severity will be determined on the amount of harm, injury or loss suffered in an individual’s past, and their present and future circumstances. (2) All applications for Redress payments will be subject to an internal departmental assessment by personnel with extensive experience in assessing injury and loss, and then approved by a Redress review panel which will comprise a solicitor, psychologist, social workers with experience in child protection, and representatives of victim advocacy groups. (3) The process of administration leading to selection and appointment of assessors and review panel members has not yet concluded. (4) Evidence will include the applicant’s personal account, any available child protection or police records, and, where relevant, medical and psychological evidence, as well as common accounts of abuse that may emerge across applications. I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.
I ask this question because I am very concerned about how elderly people will prove that they have been abused, and the emotions proving that abuse will evoke in them. Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Severity will be determined on the amount of harm, injury or loss suffered in an individual’s past, and their present and future circumstances. (2) All applications for Redress payments will be subject to an internal departmental assessment by personnel with extensive experience in assessing injury and loss, and then approved by a Redress review panel which will comprise a solicitor, psychologist, social workers with experience in child protection, and representatives of victim advocacy groups. (3) The process of administration leading to selection and appointment of assessors and review panel members has not yet concluded. (4) Evidence will include the applicant’s personal account, any available child protection or police records, and, where relevant, medical and psychological evidence, as well as common accounts of abuse that may emerge across applications. I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Severity will be determined on the amount of harm, injury or loss suffered in an individual’s past, and their present and future circumstances. (2) All applications for Redress payments will be subject to an internal departmental assessment by personnel with extensive experience in assessing injury and loss, and then approved by a Redress review panel which will comprise a solicitor, psychologist, social workers with experience in child protection, and representatives of victim advocacy groups. (3) The process of administration leading to selection and appointment of assessors and review panel members has not yet concluded. (4) Evidence will include the applicant’s personal account, any available child protection or police records, and, where relevant, medical and psychological evidence, as well as common accounts of abuse that may emerge across applications. I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Severity will be determined on the amount of harm, injury or loss suffered in an individual’s past, and their present and future circumstances. (2) All applications for Redress payments will be subject to an internal departmental assessment by personnel with extensive experience in assessing injury and loss, and then approved by a Redress review panel which will comprise a solicitor, psychologist, social workers with experience in child protection, and representatives of victim advocacy groups. (3) The process of administration leading to selection and appointment of assessors and review panel members has not yet concluded. (4) Evidence will include the applicant’s personal account, any available child protection or police records, and, where relevant, medical and psychological evidence, as well as common accounts of abuse that may emerge across applications. I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.
(1) Severity will be determined on the amount of harm, injury or loss suffered in an individual’s past, and their present and future circumstances. (2) All applications for Redress payments will be subject to an internal departmental assessment by personnel with extensive experience in assessing injury and loss, and then approved by a Redress review panel which will comprise a solicitor, psychologist, social workers with experience in child protection, and representatives of victim advocacy groups. (3) The process of administration leading to selection and appointment of assessors and review panel members has not yet concluded. (4) Evidence will include the applicant’s personal account, any available child protection or police records, and, where relevant, medical and psychological evidence, as well as common accounts of abuse that may emerge across applications. I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.
(2) All applications for Redress payments will be subject to an internal departmental assessment by personnel with extensive experience in assessing injury and loss, and then approved by a Redress review panel which will comprise a solicitor, psychologist, social workers with experience in child protection, and representatives of victim advocacy groups. (3) The process of administration leading to selection and appointment of assessors and review panel members has not yet concluded. (4) Evidence will include the applicant’s personal account, any available child protection or police records, and, where relevant, medical and psychological evidence, as well as common accounts of abuse that may emerge across applications. I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.
(3) The process of administration leading to selection and appointment of assessors and review panel members has not yet concluded. (4) Evidence will include the applicant’s personal account, any available child protection or police records, and, where relevant, medical and psychological evidence, as well as common accounts of abuse that may emerge across applications. I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.
(4) Evidence will include the applicant’s personal account, any available child protection or police records, and, where relevant, medical and psychological evidence, as well as common accounts of abuse that may emerge across applications. I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.
I share the honourable member’s concern for the distress that applicants will feel in having to retell their stories of abuse. However, some level of evidence is needed to account for the large amount of public money that will be granted through Redress WA. In recognition of the unavoidable distress that this process will entail for some people, Redress WA is putting in place a range of support services for applicants, including psychological and financial counselling, self-help and advocacy services.

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