Our Commitment

The Uniting Church in Queensland is committed to doing all that we can to provide fair, consistent and compassionate redress for people who were sexually abused as children in our care.

The Uniting Church will not hide from the truth, however painful that may be, and will seek to address issues and challenges with compassion and humility.

We will say sorry to anyone who was sexually abused while in our care and, in consultation with those affected, actively seek ways to make amends for what happened in the past and identify how we can best offer support into the future.

Available Redress

The National Redress Scheme provides support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

The National Redress Scheme is in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Applications can be made any time before 30 June 2027.

The scheme:

  • acknowledges that many children were sexually abused in Australian institutions
  • holds institutions accountable for this abuse, and
  • helps people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse gain access to counselling, a direct personal response, and a redress payment.

The scheme started on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years.

For support, to apply, or for any enquiry, please contact the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377.

If you need urgent help or support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 44 or the Queensland Police Service on 000.

Direct Personal Response

A direct personal response is one of three elements of redress available under the National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced institutional abuse.

Other elements include redress payment (monetary payment) and counselling and phycological care under the National Redress Scheme.

A direct personal response includes:

  • An opportunity for a survivor to have their story of abuse heard;
  • An acknowledgement of the impact of the abuse on the person;
  • An apology or a statement of acknowledgement or regret; and
  • An assurance that the institution has taken steps, or will take steps, to prevent abuse occurring again.

This direct personal response can be given through a face-to-face meeting between a person and a representative of the institution, a written letter, or any other method preferred by the person and agreed to by the institution. All institutions involved in the National Redress Scheme must participate in a direct personal response with a person who requests it, except where it would risk causing harm. Any direct personal response must be provided in line with the National Redress Scheme framework which is modelled on restorative practices and principles of trauma informed care.

If you would like to speak with us about a direct personal response, please make contact by email at redress@ucaqld.com.au.

For more information about redress, contact the National Redress Scheme online or on 1800 737 377.

If you need urgent help or support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 44 or the Queensland Police Service on 000.