Are you a survivor of institutional abuse? Our specialised and experienced institutional abuse lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve.

STACKS GOUDKAMP SERVICES

Institutional Abuse Claim

Institutional Abuse

At Stacks Goudkamp, we understand the dark foundation of abuse that exists in Australia. It has shaped the trajectory of many survivors’ lives and impacted people from all walks of life. Institutions were meant to protect our most vulnerable, yet they became a place of abuse, exploitation, and cruelty. Whether you were a boarding or day student at a school, resident of a home, junior recruit of a branch of Defence or suffered at the hands of a State Government or the Commonwealth Government, then we can help. No amount of money is ever going to compensate a survivor of institutional abuse for the robbery of their life; however, financial compensation, acknowledgement of the abuse and an apology can assist with the process of healing.
 
We understand that sharing traumatic, personal, and intimate details is difficult. We pride ourselves on conducting a trauma informed practice and building a supportive relationship with survivors, ensuring that they feel comfortable and confident throughout the process. Our abuse lawyers at Stacks Goudkamp are not only good lawyers, but good people who are trustworthy and always advocating for the individual.
 
We act on a no win, no fee basis and ensure our clients attain the best possible financial outcome. Our team has experience bringing common law cases in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia.
 
If you or someone you know has been impacted by institutional abuse, then please contact Stacks Goudkamp for a free, no obligation and confidential meeting.

Why Choose Stacks Goudkamp For Your Institutional Abuse Claim

The team at Stacks Goudkamp are advocates for survivors of institutional abuse and do so with compassion, persistence, and clear communication. We strive to ensure cases are dealt with efficiently to guarantee a timely outcome. Our experience in litigation ensures that survivors of institutional abuse receive damages according to law.
 
Our team has successfully litigated against religious, state and commonwealth run institutions in New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania, Western Australia, and South Australia. These institutions include churches, public schools, private day schools and boarding schools, public and privately-run detention centres, homes and education facilities as well as the scouts, the salvation army, and the Australian defence force.
 
Our team understand that every survivor of institutional abuse will respond differently to trauma. Each case is unique and techniques to assist survivors in a trauma informed practice are essential. At Stacks Goudkamp, we are proud to advocate for survivors from all walks of life.

Common Law Claim

We carry the burden of your case and take the fear of litigation away
A common law claim may seem daunting and time consuming, but the team at Stacks Goudkamp are highly experienced and ensure that the work is done by them. As a survivor of institutional abuse, you are entitled to bring a common law claim against the institution for the injuries the abuse has caused. To bring a common law claim, proceedings will be issued in the relevant Court and damages can be sought for pain and suffering, economic loss, loss of earning capacity, domestic care and assistance, medical expenses, and aggravated damages.
 
A common law claim allows a survivor of institutional abuse to obtain the financial compensation and recognition that they are entitled to. Our highly experienced team navigate this process in a trauma informed practice, ensuring the best possible outcome for each case.
 
If you or a loved one have been impacted by institutional abuse and would like advice about your common law rights, please do not hesitate to contact Stacks Goudkamp for a free, no obligation confidential conversation
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I just want to thank Ali and the additional team members for the help they have provided me over the past three years with a case that was recently settled.

Ali’s help was second to none. She was transparent, honest, and very reassuring throughout the whole process. Additionally, she was very comforting in my time of need.

I just want to thank Ali and the additional team members for the help they have provided me over the past three years with a case that was recently settled.

Ali’s help was second to none. She was transparent, honest, and very reassuring throughout the whole process. Additionally, she was very comforting in my time of need.

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This was especially noted when it came to making time within her busy schedule to allow me to come to his office and speak with him personally to discuss some of my concerns after a turn of unfortunate circumstances.

I still cannot thank Ali enough for that chat. She is probably unaware of just how much help the talk between us had really meant to me.

I will highly recommend Ali and her team to any friends and family if they ever seek similar help.
Kind Regards

Dimi

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE CLAIMS

There is no time limit for institutional child sexual abuse cases. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse removed the limitation period in all jurisdictions in Australia.

The amount of compensation you can claim will depend on the impact that the abuse has had on your life, your ability to work, your need for care and assistance as well as medical expenses. In some cases, exemplary and aggravated damages are available. These are “Special Damages” that are designed to punish the offender or institution for their conduct.

Damages are the sum of money a person is entitled to if it can be proven that another party has caused them harm. In an institutional abuse case, you will be seeking damages from the institution for the harm that the abuser has caused you.

Stacks Goudkamp act on a no win, no fee basis. We pride ourselves on having experienced staff who work efficiently to achieve the best possible financial outcome for our clients. Unlike most law firms who offer a no win no fee conditional costs agreement, we do not charge an uplift or success fee. There is no pay as you go for disbursements and no litigation lenders.

It is difficult to provide an exact timeframe as each institutional abuse claim is unique and brings its own individual facts and issues. Most cases take 12-18 months to get to a mediation or settlement conference. If your case does not settle at mediation, we expect it to take a further 12-24 months.

You should always speak to a solicitor at Stacks Goudkamp before applying or accepting an offer from the National Redress Scheme. If our advice is that you make an application to the National Redress Scheme, then we can refer you to knowmore https://knowmore.org.au/, who can assist with that application, free of charge.

Legislation has been introduced in some States that may allow you to revisit your settlement. If you settled your case before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse or for under $100,000.00 then you should speak to a lawyer at Stacks Goudkamp about the possibility of re-opening your case.

MEET THE TEAM

Alessandra Pettit

Senior Associate
Alessandra Pettit (Ali) has joined the team at Stacks Goudkamp in Sydney NSW as a specialist in institutional sexual abuse law. With her comes tenacity
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1800 251 800
apettit@stacksgoudkamp.com.au
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Chelsea Winks, Stacks Goudkamp
Chelsea Winks, Stacks Goudkamp

Chelsey Winks

Paralegal
With a strong commitment to making a difference in the lives of others, Chelsey plays a crucial role in assisting Ali Pettit in handling institutional abuse claims.
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1800 251 800
chelsey@stacksgoudkamp.com.au
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WHAT COMPENSATION CAN I CLAIM?

In most circumstances, sexual abuse has a severe impact on your mental health, ability to lead a normal life and your financial position. It impacts your family, your friends and alters the trajectory of your life. If you have been sexually abused as a child in an institution, then you may be entitled to claim compensation for the impact of that abuse.

Sexual abuse law is a complicated and developing area of law. In institutional abuse claims, common law cases are brought against the institution for negligence and vicarious liability.

To bring a common law case in negligence, we must prove that the institution was aware or ought to have been aware that the abuser was a risk.

To bring a common law case in vicarious liability, we must prove that the abuser was employed by the institution and that the abuse took place, in the course of that employment.

It may seem simple, however, finding evidence to support a claim in negligence and or vicarious liability in an institutional abuse case takes experience. Often, compromise and negotiation is required in cases of this nature because of these difficult legal arguments.

Damages in legal terms means money…

The range of damages for each case will vary…

  1. General damages or non-economic loss damages…
  2. Past and future economic loss is an amount of money…
  3. Past and future out-of-pocket expenses includes…
  4. Domestic Care and Assistance damages encompass…
  5. Aggravated and exemplary damages are “Special Damages”…
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Such as:

Non-economic loss – also known as pain and suffering
Loss of income including superannuation
Out of pocket expenses, such as treatment expenses, travel expenses, medical expenses
Domestic care and assistance

The Stacks Goudkamp way

We are dedicated and the leading No Win, No Fee personal injury lawyers in NSW. For over 40 years, Stacks Goudkamp has been helping injured Australians to receive the compensation they need and deserve.

We are dedicated and the leading No Win, No Fee personal injury lawyers in NSW. For
over 40 years, Stacks Goudkamp has been helping injured Australians to receive the
compensation they need and deserve.

Reach Out

Call or Email us to start the process and to receive expert legal advice for personal injury or compensation claims. Seek the professional support you deserve on (02) 4058 2715 or enquire online through our website.

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We are just a call or email away. Do not struggle with complex personal injury claims processes and in dealing with insurance companies on your own. We are here to listen and to help you to get the compensation you deserve.

Free Initial Consultation

We will not charge you for a comprehensive initial consultation where we will listen to your needs and provide you with free detailed advice. Compassion is what drives us. You can be sure that your questions will be answered.

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Here, we will explain the next steps and what it takes to achieve the best possible outcome.

No Win, No Fee

We will not require you to pay our legal fees, or any expenses (disbursements), unless we win your personal injury claim i.e you receive compensation. We know that being injured can result in terrible financial pressures.

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We pride ourselves on giving every injured Australian the peace of mind that we will look after them by acting on a no win no fee basis for their compensation claims.

CONTACT US

Contact your local team for a free consultation to find out if you are eligible for compensation

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I could write a book as to how the last 4 years would have been different if not for Tom and his team.
The support, assistance, advice from the first conversation till even after the settlement was second to none from the team at Stacks Goudkamp.
Four years on and after many downs, my children and I have our lives back.
We are unable to THANK YOU enough, but know that you have changed our lives for the better in so many ways since the accident.

- Andrew and Family
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