If you’re a current or past member of the Australia Defence Force (ADF) and need military legal assistance we’re here to help you get the outcome you need.
We have a team of lawyers who have served within the Australian Defence Force, so we know what it takes to come forward and make a claim. Sometimes it’s the only way you can get the justice or the help you need to move forward in your life.
We know it’s a tough slog and the legal process can seem confusing and too hard. But we’re here to get you on track, keep it as simple as possible, and make it easy. If you need help, we’ll back you all the way. When things get rough and it all seems a bit too much to handle, that’s where we shine.
Defence Abuse Response Taskforce (DART) Scheme Revised
The government has opened the window for historic abuse survivors to apply for reparation payments and other support through the Defence Force Ombudsman.
This is an expanded complaint window with the Defence Force Ombudsman’s Office that allows for abuse survivors who missed out on the DART scheme, to access reparation and other means of support.
Shine Lawyers Abuse Law department assisted over 100 survivors in their DART applications and have the expertise in providing applicants with the best chance at receiving reparation for the abuse suffered while serving within the Defence Force.
In order to qualify for under the DFO scheme, the applicant must:
- Have suffered serious abuse such as sexual abuse, serious physical abuse and/or serious bullying and harassment; and
- The serious abuse must have occurred by a serving member or a person employed or contracted by Defence.
The DFO will accept reports of abuse if the abuse is reasonably likely to have occurred. If the report is accepted by the DFO there are various outcomes available to the applicant including, reparation, counselling and a direct restorative engagement meeting.
Earlier this year, the Turnbull Government announced a budget of close to $20m for reparation payments to be made in some circumstances over the next four years.
Payments for applications are expected to commence in early 2018 once a framework has been finalised however, applications can now be made to the DFO for consideration under this scheme.
Shine Lawyers can assist with the application to the DFO.
For further information please phone our abuse law team on 13 11 99.
Related Services:
News and Articles
- HMAS Leeuwin Update
- HMAS Leeuwin Abuse
- Australian Defence Force Continue to Collaborate to Assist Survivors
- Royal Australia Air Force (RAAF) workers suffering cellular damage having worked with Jet Fuel
Australian Defence Force legal process
Everyone’s situation is unique, because no two Australian Defence Force compensation claims are the same, however the below image is a good representation of the claims process works with Shine Lawyers and how to access compensation following your injuries.
How Australian Defence Force compensation gets calculated
Depending on the nature of your Australian Defence Force claim, in most instances a monetary value is placed on the gap between your predicted life path before the accident or injury, and your actual life path since the injury.
