Foster Care Abuse
Lawyers
Children placed in foster care deserve safety, stability, and nurturing environments where they can heal from previous trauma, not additional abuse and neglect. When the system meant to protect vulnerable children fails them, our experienced foster care abuse lawyers are here to help survivors seek accountability and justice.
We understand the complexities of seeking compensation for foster care abuse. With extensive experience holding government agencies accountable for systemic failures, we help survivors pursue justice and support. You are not alone, and there are pathways to make your voice heard.
Recognised in Doyle’s Guide 2025 as a Leading Firm for Institutional Abuse Compensation
Am I eligible to make a foster abuse claim?
To take legal action for foster care abuse, you must have been harmed while living in state-supervised out-of-home care. Whether the abuse happened in a foster home, group home, or residential facility, you may be eligible for compensation if certain conditions are met.
Here are three key questions to help you understand whether you may qualify.
1. Were you placed in foster care or another form of out-of-home care as a child?
You must have been under the legal care or supervision of a state child protection agency and placed in a foster home, group home, residential facility, or another out-of-home care setting.
2. Did you experience abuse or neglect while you were there?
The abuse could have been committed by teachers, coaches, counsellors, principals, volunteers, visiting instructors, or other adults in positions of authority, or even by other students if the school failed to protect you.
3. Did the state or agency fail to keep you safe?
This means the department or agency did not properly check placements, supervise them, act on warnings or complaints, or take steps to protect you when they knew—or should have known—you were at risk.
Foster care abuse claims:
Your rights, our fight
Foster care abuse can take many forms across different placement settings, and can include sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, and neglect. Clearly identifying what happened in your case is essential to determining your legal options.
These matters fall under the broader category of institutional abuse claims, which involve harm that occurs within a system responsible for a child’s safety and care.
Foster family placement abuse
Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse by foster parents or other household members in family foster care. These cases occur when agencies fail to screen caregivers or respond to reported concerns.
Group home abuse
Abuse or neglect in residential group homes by staff members, other residents, or through systemic failures, including inadequate supervision, insufficient staffing, or poor safety protocols.
Residential care facility abuse
Harm in larger institutional settings, including physical abuse, sexual assault, over-medication, isolation, or excessive restraint by staff members or inadequate protection from other residents.
Failed background checks and screening
Situations where foster carers or residential staff with known histories of violence, abuse, or concerning behaviour were approved or maintained in placements despite red flags.
Ignored reports and warnings
Foster care abuse claims often involve government liability for systemic failures. These include situations where teachers, relatives, or other adults reported concerns that child protection authorities ignored or failed to investigate, allowing the abuse to continue.
Inadequate medical or mental health care
Neglect of your medical, dental, psychological, or psychiatric needs while in foster care, including failure to arrange necessary treatment or support services.
Speak with a foster care abuse lawyer now.
Start with a free consultation and get your case reviewed within minutes.
Why Choose Gerard Malouf & Partners
Compensation for abuse in foster care
Compensation for abuse in foster care acknowledges both the harm you endured and the state’s fundamental failure to protect you at a vulnerable time in your life. It can include both economic and non-economic damages, reflecting the profound and lasting effects this abuse can have.
Our foster abuse lawyers work to ensure every aspect of your experience is fully recognised and compensated.
Economic losses
- Medical and therapy costs: Past and future expenses for psychological treatment, trauma counselling, psychiatric care, and medical support related to the abuse.
- Lost income and earning capacity: Compensation for reduced educational outcomes, employment challenges, and diminished earning potential linked to trauma and instability.
- Rehabilitation and support services: Costs for vocational programs, education, life-skills training, and other support needed to overcome disadvantages caused by the abuse.
- Housing and stability costs: Recognition of additional accommodation needs, periods of homelessness, or reliance on supported housing due to a lack of stable foundations.
Non-economic losses
- Pain and suffering: Acknowledgment of psychological trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and emotional harm experienced while under state protection.
- Loss of childhood and developmental harm: Compensation for the absence of a safe, nurturing upbringing and the resulting developmental, educational, and social impacts.
- Loss of trust and relationship capacity: Recognition of long-term difficulties forming attachments, maintaining relationships, and trusting others due to betrayal by caregivers and authorities.
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 foster care 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 foster abuse lawyers lawyers apart.
Proven results: Foster care abuse compensation case studies
At GMP Law, we compassionately represent survivors of foster care abuse, seeking justice and full compensation for the lasting harm they have endured.
Case 1: Historical abuse survivor awarded $950,000 in damages
Background
Our client, a survivor of historical abuse dating back to 1988, was made a ward of the state at age 11 and placed into foster care.
Abuse
She suffered physical and emotional abuse in multiple group homes, and sexual abuse by a male cottage father and a male relief worker in two of the homes.
GMP Law’s approach
- Issued multiple requests for departmental records
- Identified gaps in supervision records
- Arranged for an expert psychiatric assessment
- Organised an early settlement conference to mitigate unnecessary costs and trauma.
Outcome
We successfully settled the case, resulting in a $950,000 compensation award for our client, acknowledging the severe impact of the historical abuse on her life.
What our clients say:
These are genuine reviews from real clients on Google, sharing their experiences with our foster care 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 foster case abuse lawyers
Meet our dedicated team of institutional abuse lawyers, supporting survivors of foster care abuse across Australia. With a proven track record, we specialise in securing justice and compensation, helping survivors heal from the profound trauma caused by systemic and institutional failures.
Frequently asked questions about compensation for abuse in foster care
Is there a time limit for making a foster care abuse compensation claim?
While there are generally statutory time limits for filing claims, most Australian states and territories have special provisions for historical abuse cases. This means that if you experienced sexual, physical, or emotional abuse before the age of 18, there is no time limit for initiating a legal case. This recognises that it often takes time for individuals to come forward about their experiences, especially when they are children or vulnerable and may not have had access to appropriate avenues for reporting.
We recommend seeking legal advice as soon as possible to explore your options.
Can I file a Redress Scheme claim for foster care abuse?
Yes, you can, but there are important differences between Redress and civil claims.
If you experienced sexual or physical abuse in foster care, you have two main options:
- National Redress Scheme: Provides compensation (capped at $150,000) and access to counselling and psychological support for survivors of sexual abuse in Australian institutions.
- Civil abuse compensation claim: This legal claim is made against the abuser or the responsible institution and can provide higher compensation than Redress, reflecting the full impact of the abuse. To succeed, you must show that the abuse occurred and that the institution knew—or should have known—about it but failed to act.
Important: Accepting a Redress payment usually prevents filing a civil claim. Some foster care systems also have their own compensation programs, offering support and recognition while working to prevent future abuse.
What if I don’t have documentation of the abuse?
Don’t worry if you lack documentation. Many survivors don’t have records from the time of the abuse. We can help gather evidence through other means, including departmental records, witness statements, and expert assessments.
We offer a free initial consultation to help individuals explore their options and potential next steps. Our experienced lawyers can guide you through the complex process of evaluating your situation.
How long does the claims process take?
After you make a claim and your institutional abuse lawyer begins working on your case, the resolution can take between 12 to 24 months or more.
Factors that can lengthen the process include:
- Locating proof of enrolment or attendance at the institution
- Filing against multiple institutions or abusers
- Determining if your case is unique or part of a larger pattern which may warrant a class action against the institution.
However, simpler cases may be resolved more quickly.
There are also fast-tracked claims for foster abuse cases, which require urgent circumstances, such as a terminal illness, to ensure survivors can seek justice within their lifetime.
Will I have to go to court?
Many cases are settled through negotiation without going to court. However, if necessary, we’re prepared to litigate to secure the best outcome for you. We’ll support you through every step of the process.
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Talk to a foster abuse lawyer today
Start with a free consultation. Call 1800 004 878, or request a call back below.
