Military & Institutional Abuse

Military & Institutional Abuse

Have you experienced serious abuse when serving as a member of the military or sexual abuse as a child when living in an institution? In either case, you may be entitled to compensation and/or a reparation payment for your suffering.

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99% win rate

30+ years experience

30+ years experience

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No win no fee

What is Military abuse?

Military abuse refers to any form of mistreatment or harm inflicted on individuals by members of a military organization. This can include physical violence, sexual assault, emotional abuse, or any other behavior that violates a person’s basic human rights and dignity.

Examples of military abuse may include hazing rituals or initiation ceremonies that involve physical or psychological harm, discrimination or harassment based on gender, race, or sexual orientation, and the use of excessive force or torture during interrogations or prisoner interrogations.

Military abuse can have serious and long-lasting effects on victims, including physical injuries, psychological trauma, and a loss of trust in military institutions. It is important for military organisations to have strong policies and procedures in place to prevent and address instances of abuse, and for victims to have access to support and resources to help them heal and recover.

Damages may be sought by commencing a claim against the Australian Defence Force for pain and suffering, financial losses and medical expenses caused as a result of serious abuse.

A reparation payment may be sought first by lodging a complaint of serious abuse with the Commonwealth Ombudsman. Once lodged, the Ombudsman may then decide to make an award of financial reparation.

What is institutional abuse?

Institutional abuse is a form of mistreatment or harm that occurs within an organisation or institution, such as a care home, hospital, or prison. It involves the abuse of power and a failure to protect individuals from harm or neglect within the institution’s care.

If you experienced sexual abuse as a child, you may be entitled to compensation through the National Redress Scheme or a Civil Action.

Examples of institutional abuse may include neglect of basic needs, such as food, water, and hygiene, physical or emotional abuse by staff members, or a lack of appropriate medical care. It can also include the failure to investigate or address reports of abuse or neglect, or the creation of a culture within the institution that tolerates or even encourages abusive behaviour.

Institutional abuse can have serious and long-lasting effects on individuals, including physical injuries, psychological trauma, and a loss of trust in institutions. It is important for institutions to have strong policies and procedures in place to prevent and address instances of abuse, and for victims to have access to support and resources to help them heal and recover.

*Due to local restrictions, we can’t show certain information about our legal services in Queensland. For QLD specific information please visit our page on military compensation law to access relevant information.

What is the National Redress Scheme?

The National Redress Scheme is an Australian government initiative to provide support and compensation to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. The scheme was established in response to the findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which exposed widespread abuse and cover-ups in institutions such as schools, churches, and government agencies.

Under the National Redress Scheme, survivors who were abused while in the care of an institution can apply for redress, which can include a monetary payment, access to counselling and psychological support, and a direct response from the institution responsible for the abuse. The scheme is intended to provide a more streamlined and consistent approach to redress, and to avoid the need for survivors to go through lengthy and traumatic legal proceedings to seek compensation.

To be eligible for redress under the scheme, survivors must have experienced sexual abuse before turning 18 years old while in the care of an institution that has joined the scheme. Institutions can choose to opt-in to the scheme, and once they do so, they are required to meet their obligations under the scheme, including providing a response to survivors’ claims and contributing to any compensation payments.

The National Redress Scheme is a significant step towards acknowledging and addressing the harm caused by institutional child sexual abuse in Australia and provides an important avenue for survivors to seek support and redress for the trauma they have experienced.

What can you claim for?

If you have suffered abuse in Australia, you may be able to claim compensation for a range of losses and damages that you have suffered as a result of the abuse. The types of compensation you can claim for abuse can vary depending on the type of abuse, the circumstances of the abuse, and the laws of the state or territory where the abuse occurred.

In general, you may be able to claim for the following types of compensation:

  • Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for physical and emotional pain and suffering you have experienced as a result of the abuse.
  • Medical and counselling expenses: This includes compensation for the cost of medical treatment and counselling you have required as a result of the abuse.
  • Loss of income: If you have been unable to work as a result of the abuse, you may be able to claim compensation for the income you have lost.
  • Care and assistance: If you require ongoing care and assistance as a result of the abuse, you may be able to claim compensation for the cost of this care.
  • Legal costs: You may be able to claim for the legal costs associated with your claim for compensation.

The amount of compensation you can claim will depend on the individual circumstances of your case, including the severity of the abuse and the losses you have suffered as a result. It is recommended that you seek legal advice from a specialist abuse compensation lawyer to determine your eligibility for compensation and to assist with your claim. They can guide you through the process and help you to maximise the amount of compensation you are entitled to.

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FAQs

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Why Use LHD Lawyers?

If you have experienced institutional or military abuse in Australia, we understand that it can be a traumatic and difficult experience to navigate. At LHD Lawyers, we are committed to providing support and assistance to survivors of institutional and military abuse, and helping them to obtain the justice and compensation they deserve.

Our experienced and compassionate lawyers have a deep understanding of the complex legal issues surrounding institutional and military abuse cases and are dedicated to fighting for the rights of survivors. We are here to help you every step of the way, from providing a safe and supportive environment in which to share your story, to guiding you through the legal process and ensuring that you receive the maximum compensation available.

If you have suffered abuse in a care facility, school, religious institution, sporting organisation, youth detention centre and any other institutional setting or in a military organisation we encourage you to contact us today to discuss your options for seeking justice and compensation. Our initial consultations are free of charge, and we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning that you do not pay any legal fees unless we win your case.

Don’t suffer in silence any longer. Contact LHD Lawyers today and let us help you to obtain the justice and compensation you deserve.

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