Institutional Abuse Lawyers
When an institution betrays your trust and causes harm, our institutional abuse lawyers are here to help you seek accountability and justice.
We know how much courage it takes to speak about abuse, and we’re committed to supporting you with care and respect throughout the entire legal process. Our team has extensive experience with institutional sexual abuse and other forms of abuse in care settings, and we work hard to secure meaningful outcomes that often go well beyond National Redress Scheme payments.
Survivors deserve recognition, and we’re here to help you get it.
Recognised in Doyle’s Guide 2025 as a Leading Firm for Institutional Abuse Compensation
Am I eligible to make an institutional abuse claim?
You may be able to make an institutional abuse claim if you were harmed while an organisation was responsible for your care or safety. This applies whether the abuse happened as a child or an adult. If an institution failed to protect you, you could have the right to take legal action.
Here are three key questions to help you determine whether you may qualify:
1. Were you under the care or supervision of an institution when the abuse occurred?
The abuse must have taken place within an institutional setting such as a school, church, detention centre, foster care, aged care facility, sporting organisation, or any environment where the institution had responsibility for your safety and wellbeing.
2. Did someone in a position of authority or trust cause you harm?
The abuse may have been perpetrated by staff members, volunteers, officials, clergy, teachers, coaches, or other individuals acting within the scope of the institution, or by other residents or participants where the institution failed to provide adequate supervision or protection.
3. Has the abuse caused you lasting harm or loss?
You must have suffered measurable harm. This could include psychological trauma, physical injuries, lost income or reduced earning capacity, ongoing medical or therapeutic needs, or other significant impacts on your quality of life as a direct result of institutional abuse.
Institutional abuse claims:
Your rights, our fight
Different types of institutional abuse occur in various settings. Understanding your specific situation helps determine your legal pathway.
Church abuse
School sexual abuse
Foster care abuse
Ward of the state abuse
Ward of the state abuse
ADF abuse
Youth detention abuse
Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in juvenile justice centres or youth detention facilities where young people experienced harm from staff or other detainees.
Senior abuse
Nursing home abuse
Speak with a institutional abuse lawyer now.
Start with a free consultation and get your case reviewed within minutes.
Why Choose Gerard Malouf & Partners
What can you claim in institutional abuse settings?
Unlike the Redress Scheme, institutional abuse compensation takes into account the full impact of abuse on your life, covering both financial losses and the deep personal harm you’ve endured
Our institutional abuse lawyers work to ensure every aspect of your experience is recognised and properly valued. Compensation can include economic losses, non-economic losses, and, in some cases, exemplary damages.
Economic losses
- Past and future medical expenses: Past and ongoing costs for therapy, counselling, psychiatric treatment, medication, and other support related to abuse.
- Lost income and earning capacity: Wages and opportunities lost due to the impact of abuse on work, education, or career potential.
- Care and support costs: Domestic assistance, personal care, case management, and other support needed for daily functioning.
- Educational and vocational rehabilitation: Costs for retraining, education, or vocational programs to rebuild career prospects disrupted by abuse.
Non-economic losses
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for psychological trauma, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and related mental anguish.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Recognition of diminished capacity to form relationships, trust others, participate socially, and enjoy life.
- Loss of dignity and autonomy: Acknowledgment of violations to fundamental rights, self-worth, and personal agency caused by abuse.
Aggravated and exemplary damages
In cases involving especially serious institutional misconduct—such as deliberately concealing abuse, knowingly allowing perpetrators access to victims, or systemic failures to protect vulnerable people—courts may award additional damages. These damages are intended to punish the institution and deter similar conduct in the future.
Family member claims
Family members who have witnessed the effects of institutional abuse, provided ongoing care, or experienced trauma themselves may be entitled to compensation. This can cover loss of relationship, loss of services, and the emotional toll of supporting a survivor.
Such claims may include:
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 institutional 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 institutional sexual abuse lawyers apart.
Proven results: Institutional abuse case studies
At GMP Law, we’ve successfully represented clients from all walks of life, handling claims involving child sexual abuse, historic institutional abuse, elder abuse, and other forms of abuse affecting vulnerable Australians.
Case 1: Historical childhood sexual abuse in juvenile detention
Background
Our client suffered childhood sexual abuse while in the custody of a juvenile detention centre in the early 1970s, aged 10 to 11.
Abuse
He was singled out and repeatedly abused by an officer who forced him to comply with threats that he would remain at the detention centre for life.
GMP Law’s approach
We argued that the institution was vicariously liable for the officer’s actions and failed to implement adequate supervision systems. Due to our client’s sudden terminal cancer diagnosis, we urgently participated in an informal settlement conference to resolve the case. We also highlighted the long-term impact of the abuse on our client’s ability to work and maintain relationships.
Outcome
Our client was awarded $200,000 for historical childhood sexual abuse. While financial compensation cannot erase the trauma, it provided him a sense of closure.
Case 2: Childhood abuse at a catholic primary school
Background
Our young client, aged 11 to 12, suffered abuse over a 12-month period while in the care of her Year 6 teacher at a Catholic primary school. The abuse continued after she left Year 6 through grooming on social media.
Abuse
The teacher, who was in a position of trust, groomed and isolated our client and committed multiple sexual assaults on school grounds and outside school hours. Investigation revealed he had abused multiple other students. He was charged, convicted, and sentenced.
GMP Law’s approach
We commenced legal proceedings against the Diocese, gathering evidence that the teacher should never have been employed due to prior complaints, a criminal record, and use of aliases.
A child abuse psychiatrist confirmed the profound impact on our client, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, flashbacks, somatic symptoms, social withdrawal, and educational disruption. We participated in mediation with the Diocese and negotiated a resolution in the client’s best interests.
Outcome
A compensation settlement was accepted and approved by the court as fair. While monetary compensation cannot undo the abuse, it provides recognition, validation, and a sense of closure for our client.
What our clients say:
These are genuine reviews from real clients on Google, sharing their experiences with our institutional 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 an injury. 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 dedicated team of institutional and child abuse lawyers. With offices across Australia—including institutional abuse lawyers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane—our team also includes roaming abuse lawyers who can meet clients outside metropolitan areas. With a 98% success rate, we specialise in securing compensation for survivors and families affected by institutional abuse.
Let our experienced child sex abuse lawyers fight for the justice and support you deserve.
Frequently asked questions about institutional abuse claims
Should I apply for National Redress or pursue a civil claim?
For most survivors, civil claims often result in significantly higher compensation and a more tailored recognition of the harm suffered.
The National Redress Scheme caps payments at $150,000, with the average payment as of June 2025 being $89,300. Payments are determined according to set assessment criteria.
In contrast, civil claims are assessed individually and can frequently achieve settlements ranging from $300,000 to over $1 million, depending on the circumstances.
It is important to note that accepting redress generally prevents you from taking further legal action, whereas pursuing a civil claim allows a full examination of the impact the abuse has had on your life.
We strongly recommend consulting a qualified child sex abuse lawyer before making a decision. Legal advice can help determine which pathway best addresses your unique situation and long-term interests.
Can I make a claim if the institution no longer exists?
Yes. You can often pursue institutional abuse claims even if the institution has closed or no longer operates. Legal responsibility may have transferred to successor organisations, insurance policies may still be in effect, or assets may have been allocated to entities that can be held accountable.
Many institutions that later closed participated in the National Redress Scheme, allowing survivors to make redress applications. If the institution was government-run, the relevant government department may also bear responsibility.
Our team of institutional abuse lawyers will carefully investigate all possible avenues for accountability and compensation, regardless of whether the institution is still operating.
What is the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse?
For adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, there is no time limit for filing claims. The legislation acknowledges that it often takes time for survivors to come forward, so the usual statute of limitations on personal injury claims does not apply.
We have successfully won cases involving historic offences, including claims that are over 20 years old.
How long does an institutional abuse claim take?
Institutional abuse claims typically take 18 to 36 months from initial consultation to resolution, though timelines vary based on case complexity, institutional responses, and whether settlement is reached through negotiation or requires court proceedings.
Simple cases with clear liability may settle within 18 months, while complex cases involving multiple perpetrators, significant investigation, or contested liability may take three years or longer. Most cases settle through negotiation or mediation without reaching trial, which significantly reduces timeframes.
Our child sex abuse lawyers work efficiently to progress your case while ensuring thorough preparation for the best possible outcome.
Can I sue a teacher for sexual abuse?
Yes. Compensation claims can be brought against both individuals and organisations, including:
- Professionals in positions of trust (doctors, teachers, psychologists)
- Department of Communities and Justice
- Religious organisations
- Public and private schools.
Which religious organisations are being investigated for sexual abuse in Australia?
Various religious organisations are currently under investigation in Australia for multiple cases of sexual abuse involving their employees (or members) and the individuals they were meant to protect.
Investigations have included:
- The Catholic Church
- The Anglican Church of Australia
- The Uniting Church in Australia
- Jehovah’s Witnesses
- The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd.
Learn more about institutional abuse
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Talk to a institutional abuse lawyer today
Start with a free consultation. Call 1800 004 878, or request a call back below.
