State Ward Abuse
Lawyers
When the state assumes parental responsibility for children through child protection orders, it accepts the highest duty of care to keep them safe from harm. Children who become wards of the state deserve protection, stability, and nurturing care, not abuse and neglect at the hands of the very system meant to safeguard them.
Our experienced ward of the state abuse lawyers understand the profound betrayal when government authorities fail in this fundamental responsibility. We’re committed to helping survivors seek accountability and ward of the state compensation for the harm they endured while under state guardianship.
Recognised in Doyle’s Guide 2025 as a Leading Firm for Institutional Abuse Compensation
Am I eligible to make a ward of the state abuse claim?
If you suffered harm while under the legal guardianship or custody of a state child protection authority, you may be entitled to pursue state ward abuse compensation. This can include abuse that occurred in foster care, residential facilities, or other placements, provided certain criteria are met.
These three questions can help you understand your eligibility.
1. Were you made a ward of the state or placed under government guardianship?
You must have been under a child protection order giving the state legal custody or guardianship, meaning government authorities were responsible for your care, safety, and wellbeing.
2. Did you experience abuse or neglect while under state guardianship?
The abuse could have happened in foster placements, group homes, residential facilities, juvenile detention, psychiatric institutions, schools, or any setting where the state had responsibility for your safety.
3. Did the state fail in its duty to protect you?
Government child protection authorities may have failed to properly screen placements, provide supervision, respond to reports or warning signs, or take action when they knew—or should have known—you were at risk.
Ward of the state compensation claims:
Your rights, our fight
Ward of the state abuse can occur in many placements and is treated as a form of institutional abuse. These cases often involve government failures such as poor screening of carers, inadequate monitoring, ignored complaints, unstable placements, or a lack of proper therapeutic support. Understanding the type of placement and what went wrong helps determine the best legal pathway for your claim.
Abuse in state-supervised foster care
Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse by foster carers or household members while you were a ward placed in family foster care under government guardianship.
Residential care and group home abuse
Abuse or neglect in government-run or contracted residential facilities by staff members, other residents, or through systemic failures in supervision and care standards.
Juvenile detention centre abuse
Physical, sexual, or psychological abuse in youth detention facilities where state authorities had custody and responsibility for your safety and rehabilitation.
Psychiatric institution abuse
Abuse in psychiatric hospitals or mental health facilities where wards of the state were placed, including over-medication, restraint abuse, or sexual assault by staff.
Multiple placement failures
Cases involving repeated placement breakdowns, inadequate transition support, or failure to provide stable care despite known trauma and attachment needs.
Medical neglect
Failure to provide necessary medical, dental, psychological, or psychiatric care while you were under state guardianship, causing preventable harm or deterioration.
Speak with a state ward abuse lawyer now.
Start with a free consultation and get your case reviewed within minutes.
Why Choose Gerard Malouf & Partners
State ward abuse compensation: What can you claim?
Ward of the state compensation recognises that the government had parental responsibility and failed to protect you, causing lasting harm. Compensation for this failure can cover both economic losses (like medical costs and lost income) and non-economic losses (such as pain, suffering, and emotional trauma). Our lawyers ensure every aspect of this betrayal is fully recognised.
Economic losses
- Past and future medical and therapy costs
- Psychological treatment and counselling
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Impact of disrupted education and unstable support
- Vocational rehabilitation and ongoing support services
- Housing instability or need for supported accommodation.
Non-economic losses
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Loss of childhood safety and parental care
- Emotional harm from the state’s failure to protect you
- Betrayal of trust by the government that assumed responsibility for your wellbeing.
Our Unique Fee Reduction Guarantee
Satisfaction first:
Fees second
 If our service fails to meet the high standards we set, we’ll reduce our fees. We are the only Australian firm that backs our service with a written cost reduction promise, giving you total confidence in your claim.
The compensation claim process: Your journey with GMP Law
Initial consultation
Evidence gathering
Claim submission
Negotiation
 We’ll advocate fiercely on your behalf, aiming for a fair settlement that truly reflects your needs.
Court representation
Ongoing support
Why choose our state ward abuse lawyers?
Our No Win No Fee institutional abuse lawyers specialise in handling some of the most complex and challenging cases. With deep expertise in personal injury and compensation law, we understand the unique difficulties these claims present and know how to navigate them effectively.
Key benefits include:
98% success rate
Australia-wide coverage.
Expert abuse lawyer support in every state
Free initial consultation
to assess your claim
Award-winning lawyers
Proudly recognised by Doyles Guide 2025 for excellence in personal injury legal services
No Win No Fee.
No Win No Fee
Fee transparency that you can trust
At GMP Law, we’re committed to ensuring you have nothing to lose with our No Win No Fee service.
How our No Win No Fee system works:
No upfront costs
Start your claim without any financial risk
No contingency fees.
We don’t take a percentage of your settlement
Fair hourly rates.
When you win, we charge transparent hourly rates
Careful case evaluation.
We only take cases we believe can succeed
Our commitment. If we don’t believe your case will result in compensation or if costs outweigh benefits, we won’t take it on. This dedication to our clients’ best interests sets our No Win No Fee school state ward abuse claim lawyers apart.
Proven results: Ward of the state abuse claims
At GMP Law, we support survivors from all backgrounds with compassion and commitment, helping them pursue justice and maximum payout for ward-of-the-state abuse claims. Our team has extensive experience assisting people who have suffered sexual or other forms of abuse while in state care.
Case 1: $200,000 settlement for abuse in juvenile detention
Background
In the early 1970s, our client was remanded in custody at a juvenile detention centre at the age of 10 to 11. Following a sudden terminal cancer diagnosis decades later, he sought urgent legal support to pursue justice.
Abuse
Our client was repeatedly sexually abused by a detention officer, who threatened he would remain at the centre for life. The abuse caused long-term impacts on mental health, relationships, and employment.
GMP Law’s approach
We arranged an urgent informal settlement conference. We argued the detention centre was vicariously liable for the officer’s actions and had failed to supervise and monitor staff. We highlighted the abuse’s long-term impact on our client’s life.
Outcome
Secured a $200,000 settlement, providing recognition of the abuse and holding the institution accountable for its failures.
Case 2: Ward of the state awarded $950,000 in damages
Background
In 1988, our client became a ward of the state at age 11 and was placed in multiple foster and group homes. She sought legal advice to pursue compensation for the abuse she suffered while under state care.
Abuse
Our client experienced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse by cottage parents and staff, including male cottage fathers and relief workers. The abuse caused significant psychiatric impairment, affecting her relationships and employment.
GMP Law’s approach
We requested extensive Departmental records and identified gaps in supervision. Our client was assessed by an expert psychiatrist. Proceedings were initiated, and an early settlement conference was arranged to reduce trauma and costs.
Outcome
Secured a compensation outcome $950,000, acknowledging the abuse and the State’s failure to protect her.
Case 3: Sexual abuse in a juvenile detention centre
Background
Our client was remanded in a juvenile detention centre in the mid-1970s and suffered abuse while in custody. The defendant argued that there was no evidence of the event.
Abuse
An unidentified officer sexually and physically assaulted our client on one occasion. The abuse was reported to the superintendent, who took no action and offered no support.
GMP Law’s approach
We challenged the defendant’s claim that there was no corroborating evidence and argued that the abuse had a profound negative impact on our client’s life. We then demonstrated how the abuse affected work, relationships, and led to substance dependency. We persisted with the claim despite gaps in contemporaneous records.
Case 4: Sexual abuse in a psychiatric ward
Background
Our client was medicated and sleeping in her room in a psychiatric ward when a male patient entered her room and sexually assaulted her.
Abuse
Despite our client’s extensive and complex psychiatric history, this incident resulted in a significant exacerbation of our client’s pre-existing psychiatric condition. The hospital failed to protect our client from harm while under medication and sleeping.
GMP Law’s approach
We argued the hospital failed in its duty of care by not conducting proper risk assessments, maintaining ward security, supervising patient movements, or separating vulnerable patients from potential assailants.
Case 5: $435,000 settlement for historical youth group abuse
Background
In the 1980s, our client was actively involved in a local youth group that ran weekly activities and camps. He later came to us seeking guidance on his rights to compensation for the harm he had suffered as a child.
Abuse
During his involvement in the youth group, he was groomed and sexually abused by a group leader. The abuse had long-lasting effects, causing severe psychological injuries that continued into adulthood, including PTSD, Persistent Depressive Disorder, and ongoing anxiety.
GMP Law’s approach
We gathered all available evidence and commenced proceedings in the District Court of NSW. An expert barrister was briefed, and our client was assessed by an experienced psychiatrist who confirmed the extent of his psychological harm. We then arranged mediation to resolve the matter sensitively and efficiently, minimising further stress for our client.
Outcome
Following negotiations, we secured a settlement of $435,000. While compensation cannot undo the past, our client felt supported throughout the process and was satisfied with the outcome.
What our clients say:
These are genuine reviews from real clients on Google, sharing their experiences with our state ward abuse lawyers.
Turning injuries into justice, transforming lives through compensation
At GMP Law, we’re not just fighting for compensation, we’re fighting for your right to recover, rebuild, and reclaim your life after abuse. Read our case studies:
Historical Abuse Survivor Awarded $950k In Damages
Case Overview Our client is a survivor of historical abuse which dates back to 1988. Having been made a ward of
Man received $350,000 after being sexual abused by teacher
Case Overview Our client experienced abuse as a child between 10-12 years of age. Abuse occurred in and outside of school
15 year old sexual abuse survivor receives over $450,000 from individual perpetrator for abuse when she was 12
Case Overview Miss H, while in Year 6 at Primary School, was the victim of a gross breach of trust when
Man settles claim for $315,000 for sexual abuse perpetrated in New South Wales
Case Overview The plaintiff alleged that he suffered sexual abuse on one occasion during an extended admission at the juvenile detention
$300,000 settlement for juvenile detention centre sexual abuse in the 1970s
Case Overview Our client was sexually abused while at a juvenile detention centre in the mid-1970s. The defendant argued that there
Man settles sexual abuse case for $200,000 perpetrated at a Sydney-based juvenile detention centre
Case Overview Our client suffered childhood sexual abuse while in the custody of a juvenile detention centre. We argued that the
Meet our abuse lawyers
Meet our compassionate team of institutional abuse lawyers, supporting survivors as they pursue state ward abuse claims nationwide. With extensive experience, we focus on achieving justice and securing compensation, helping survivors recover and find recognition for the profound trauma caused by institutional failures.
Our team assists clients with a range of claims, including ward of the state Victoria compensation and ward of the state NSW compensation, ensuring each case is handled with care and expertise.
Frequently asked questions about ward of the state compensation
What is the time limit to pursue a ward of the state abuse claim?
Following Royal Commission reforms, most Australian states removed time limits for child sexual abuse claims, including sexual abuse of wards of the state. This means survivors can pursue legal action decades after abuse occurred.
How much compensation can I receive for abuse as a ward of the state?
Ward of the state compensation varies based on the severity and duration of abuse, the extent of systemic failures, and the profound impact on your life trajectory and development. Cases involving serious sexual or physical abuse typically settle for $250,000 to $600,000, while severe cases with prolonged abuse, multiple placement failures, institutional neglect across years, or profound life impacts can reach $700,000 to over $1 million.
Who is legally responsible for abuse I experienced as a ward of the state?
The state child protection department that had legal guardianship and parental responsibility for your care is usually legally responsible. This means that even if the abuse was committed by foster carers, residential staff, or others, the government department can be held accountable for failures in the system. These failures can include:
- Negligently approving placements
- Failing to properly supervise and monitor your safety
- Not responding to complaints or warning signs
- Inadequately supporting complex trauma needs.
In some cases, non-government organisations contracted to provide care may also share responsibility. The state’s duty of care to wards is especially high because it assumes full parental responsibility. Courts recognise this heightened obligation when considering ward of the state abuse claims, which can impact both liability and compensation.
What are the child protection departments in each Australian state and territory?
- New South Wales (NSW): Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), previously the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS)
- Victoria (VIC): Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
- Queensland (QLD): Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs (DCYJMA)
- South Australia (SA): Department for Child Protection (DCP)
- Western Australia (WA): Department of Communities – Child Protection and Family Support
- Tasmania (TAS): Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP)
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): Community Services Directorate – Child and Youth Protection Services
- Northern Territory (NT): Department of Children and Families.
Each of these agencies is responsible for the care, safety, and wellbeing of children under state guardianship, including supervision of placements and oversight of foster or residential care.
What if I was moved between multiple placements and experienced abuse in several?
Experiencing abuse across multiple placements can strengthen a ward of the state compensation claim because it shows repeated failures by child protection authorities. Each placement where abuse occurred, or care was inadequate, represents another breach of the state’s duty of care. Patterns of instability often highlight issues such as poor placement screening, lack of trauma-informed support, inadequate supervision, or weak case management.
Courts recognise that frequent moves and unstable placements can cause developmental harm. When combined with abuse in multiple settings, this demonstrates serious systemic neglect. Your state ward abuse claim can cover all abuse and failures you experienced, and multiple traumas may result in higher compensation. Our ward of the state abuse claim lawyers carefully review your placement history to ensure the full extent of the state’s failures is presented.
Can I claim if I don’t have family support or documentation?
Yes. In fact, the lack of family support and personal records is one of the reasons ward of the state abuse claims are so important. Wards often do not have the advocacy or resources that other children might have had.
We can obtain your full child protection file directly from government departments. These files include placement records, case notes, incident reports, and other documents you may never have seen. They often reveal key information about your care, including complaints, warnings, or failures in the system.
Courts understand that many wards of the state have fragmented memories due to trauma, young age at the time of abuse, or multiple placements. Your testimony, combined with departmental records and expert evidence about the impact of trauma on memory, can form a strong claim even without family witnesses or personal documentation.
Our ward of the state abuse lawyers have extensive experience helping survivors who lack traditional support systems, ensuring your story and the full extent of the state’s failures are properly represented.
Learn more about institutional abuse
ADF abuse compensation: A guide to claiming
Members of the Australian Defence Force serve their country with honour and deserve safe, respectful working environments free from abuse and
Legal alternatives to the National Redress Scheme: Understanding your options for institutional abuse claims
The National Redress Scheme represents an important acknowledgment of institutional child sexual abuse in Australia, providing survivors with access to compensation,
Historical sexual abuse claims guide
Coming forward about historical sexual abuse takes immense courage, especially when the abuse happened years or decades ago in institutions where
Pain and suffering compensation: What you need to know
Following a serious injury, the financial burden of recovery can be overwhelming. Beyond medical bills and lost wages, many people don’t
Understanding pain and suffering in personal injury claims
When most people hear “pain and suffering,” they think of the immediate physical impact of an injury: the broken bones, the
Understanding childcare negligence in Australia: A complete guide for parents
As parents, we trust childcare centres to provide a safe, nurturing environment where our little ones can learn, play, and grow.
Talk to a ward of the state compensation lawyer today
Start with a free consultation. Call 1800 004 878, or request a call back below.
