Fairbribge Farm School abuse survivors win $24 million class action
Child migrants who were abused at a farm school in New South Wales' central west have been paid $24 million to set up a compensation fund.
Hundreds of British children were sent to the Fairbridge Farm School, at Molong, from the 1930s to the 1970s as part of a post-war resettlement program.
The award came after a six year legal battle, 21 court hearings and 50,000 pages of historical documents. Many of the legal and delay tactics are familiar to survivors in the Catholic Church who have tried to take similar claims to Court.
The Fairbridge case action legal process yet again demonstrates the pressing need for a national independent redress scheme.
The resolution of a class action by former residents of the Fairbridge Farm School was a great win for survivors of child sexual abuse and a continuing reminder of the extraordinary hurdles survivors face when they go to court. Abuse survivors should have a viable alternative to going through the courts.This and the requirement for blind reporting provide more compelling arguments for a national redress scheme.
RC published remaining submissions for redress consultations
The Royal Commission has published further submissions in response to its consultation paper on redress and civil litigation, released by the Royal Commission 30 January 2015.
The Royal Commission has resumed its public hearing on out of home care, in Sydney this week. The hearing commenced in March this year.
This is the second stage of the hearing. Evidence is being heard from care leavers, representatives from organisations which provide advocacy and support services and oversight bodies, which include Children's Guardians, Public Advocates, Children's Commissioners and Ombudsmen.
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