Survivors of institutional child sexual abuse who are taking part in the National Redress Scheme have been encouraged to provide feedback to a Parliamentary inquiry.

Federal Member for Newcastle and Deputy Chair of the Committee undertaking the inquiry into the implementation of the National Redress Scheme, Sharon Claydon, said it started this month.

“This isn’t the Redress Scheme that a Labor Government would have delivered, but we understand how important it is so we didn’t stand in the way of its progress through the Parliament,” Ms Claydon said.

“This inquiry will give us the best chance of identifying any issues, shortcomings or unintended consequences so the Government can address them early on.”

Ms Claydon said she expected significant uptake of the Redress scheme by survivors in the Newcastle-Hunter region.

“Shocking cases of abuse in our region were a key catalyst in the establishment of the Royal Commission. I’d expect there will be hundreds of people from Newcastle and surrounds who will be eligible for redress.  

“I urge people to share their experiences of the National Redress Scheme so the Government has a full understanding of how it is working from the perspective of survivors.”

Ms Claydon said there were a number of areas she was concerned about.

“I’m already hearing concerns about the level of detail required and the risk of re-traumatisation,” Ms Claydon said.

“I’m also worried that support services won’t be able to keep up with demand – especially trauma-informed counselling services which I’m told already have a six-month wait in Newcastle.”

Ms Claydon said the Committee would hold hearings to hear from submitters to the inquiry in the coming months.

Submissions to the Joint Select Committee on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - oversight of redress related recommendations close on 17 August 2018.

The Committee is scheduled to table its final report and recommendations on 29 November 2018.