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The State pays $450,000 to childhood abuse survivor

Case Overview

Our client suffered both physical and sexual abuse at the hands of family members from a very young age, which continued over an extended period of time into her early adolescence. 

As a result of the abuse, our client sustained significant psychiatric impairment which had a detrimental impact on her life, including in her relationships and employment. 

Our Approach

We argued that the Defendant was aware that the abuse was occurring and failed to remove our client from her family home, thereby allowing the abuse to continue. 

The Defendant argued that it did not breach any duty of care owed to our client and was not responsible for the harm caused. The Defendant claimed that we would not succeed in establishing negligence for this reason. 

Despite this, at a mediation we were able to resolve her historical abuse claim for $450,000.

Whilst this settlement would never rectify the harm caused or undo the abuse that occurred, it has allowed our client to experience financial security and embark on her healing journey.  

The Result

After negotiations with the defendant we secured over $450,000 during mediation.

Compassion, Guaranteed

At GMP Law, we understand the courage that it takes to come forward and discuss traumatic experiences of childhood sexual abuse with others. Our compassionate team will fight to achieve maximum justice for survivors of institutional and historical sexual abuse.

If you have been the subject of abuse, we are hear to listen and provide you with a confidential, no obligation consultation with our expert solicitors.

You're in Safe Hands

Are you a survivor of abuse? Call us for confidential, free advice.

Deema Dermelkonian

Lawyer
Frequently Asked Questions

More Information

Helping sexual abuse survivors gather the evidence they need to bring a successful compensation claim is part of the service Gerard Malouf & Partners provides. You shouldn’t feel that you need to have done this work yourself before coming and speaking to us.

Based on our extensive experience of handling and winning sexual abuse compensation claims evidence typically includes:

  • Proof of medical treatment costs (or counselling and / or physiotherapy)
  • Records of the victim and offender being in a given place when a sexual offence took place (e.g. enrollment in schools, residence at an aged care facility)
  • A victim’s signed statement of truth that their story is accurate

The awarding of financial compensation in civil cases breaks down into four areas:

Cost of treating the immediate physical or psychological injury
Ongoing medical costs, such as domestic care to recuperate from long-term injuries
Non-economic (pain and loss) damages for psychological or emotional distress
Loss of earnings or superannuation if the incident leaves you unable to work

In some cases, courts have awarded victims “aggravated and exemplary damages”. This usually occurs in special or extreme circumstances when the court wishes to make an example of the defendant.

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Class Actions
At GMP Law, we have extensive experience in class action lawsuits, amplifying the voices of individuals who have experienced similar harms or losses.
About Us
Gerard Malouf & Partners have provided friendly, experienced legal advice to communities across Australia for over 35 years. Our Personal Injury Lawyers have taken on ten’s of thousands of cases and we are proud to have won billions of dollars for our clients.
Lawyers
Meet the diverse and dynamic team of compensation lawyers and supporting staff that have made this all happen below. Our multi-lingual team can discuss your claims in Arabic, Assyrian, Turkish, Greek, Italian, French, Serbian, Croatian, Armenian, Mandarin, Hindi, Punjabi or Malayalam.
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Meet the diverse and dynamic team of compensation lawyers and supporting staff that have made this all happen below. Our multi-lingual team can discuss your claims in Arabic, Assyrian, Turkish, Greek, Italian, French, Serbian, Croatian, Armenian, Mandarin, Hindi, Punjabi or Malayalam.

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