Abused as a child in Western Australia
Take the next step toward justice. Our dedicated Abuse Law team is here to guide you through every stage of a historical abuse claim. We offer No Win No Fee representation and can connect you with our mental health support services. Find out more information about the types of claims we can help you with below:
Find out more information about the types of claims we can help you with below:
Historical abuse claims in WA
Child abuse happens when adults in a position of responsibility, trust or power cause sexual, physical or emotional harm to a child. Adult survivors of child abuse may be eligible to make a civil abuse compensation claim. Shine’s experienced, trauma-informed Abuse Law team can help. Making a historical abuse claim won’t erase what happened to you, but it may be an opportunity to:
To hold someone (or an institution) to account
For acknowledgement of what happened to you
For an apology
Child abuse compensation may help with the impact that abuse has had on your life.
Why choose Shine’s institutional abuse lawyers?
Compassionate institutional abuse lawyers
Shine Lawyers has one of Australia’s largest dedicated Abuse Law teams. We have decades of experience in helping thousands of adult survivors of child abuse seek justice. We’ve helped thousands seek justice and successfully advocated for the removal of time limits on historical child sexual abuse claims following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
No Win No Fee* child abuse lawyers
If you become a Shine Lawyers’ client, our dedicated institutional abuse lawyers will provide legal advice, tailored to your situation, on a No Win No Fee* basis. We’ll work with you to build your historical abuse claim and explain each step of the legal process.
*Conditions apply
Trauma-informed support
We recognise your courage in speaking up. Wherever possible, we’ll work with you to minimise the stress and inconvenience of the legal process.
Our institutional abuse lawyers are trained to work in a trauma-informed way. Our mental health support team help reduce the trauma of the legal process for both our lawyers and clients. We’ll be with you, every step of the way.
Help from Shine’s institutional abuse lawyers
Talking about abuse that happened many years ago can be overwhelming. You may not have shared your story with anyone before. Shine’s compassionate, experienced institutional abuse lawyers and mental health support team can guide you through the process of your abuse compensation claim. We can review your claim and advise on your specific situation.
Get in touch
to arrange a confidential, obligation-free discussion with compassionate, trauma-informed child abuse lawyers.
A guide on supporting your loved one
We’ve created a conversation guide, to help you support your loved one through their childhood sexual abuse claim. The guide can help you understand the emotional impact of making a claim, a little about the legal process and where you can both find support.
Can you help with our ongoing child sexual abuse investigations?
Shine Lawyers’ institutional abuse lawyers are investigating several historical child abuse claims. Your memories, important information and insight could support our investigations to help someone right wrong.
Abuse compensation claim FAQs
Are there time limits to make an abuse compensation claim?
Are there time limits to make an abuse compensation claim?
For Australian survivors of child sexual abuse, there’s no time limit for making an abuse claim. This means that you may make an abuse claim decades after your childhood abuse occurred.
For West Australian survivors of abuse in adulthood, an abuse compensation claim must be made within 3 years of the date of abuse. There are limited legal reasons to extend the 3 years, so it’s important to get in touch with Shine’s abuse lawyers as soon as possible to protect your entitlement to claim abuse compensation and right wrong.
Do you need an abuse lawyer?
Do you need an abuse lawyer?
It’s possible to represent yourself for your abuse compensation claim. However, at a challenging time, an experienced abuse lawyer and mental health support team are invaluable. They have the knowledge, compassion and empathy to help guide your abuse claim and support you.
Are there abuse lawyers near me?
Are there abuse lawyers near me?
With over 40 branches across Australia, location is no barrier when it comes to finding an experienced abuse lawyer. No matter where you are in Western Australia, get in touch to arrange a confidential, obligation-free first meeting.
What is the National Redress Scheme?
What is the National Redress Scheme?
The National Redress Scheme is available if you were:
Abused as a child
Involved with an institution participating in the National Redress Scheme
Understanding your legal options before applying for the National Redress Scheme is important. This advice can be provided for free by contacting Knowmore, an independent legal service provider.
How to support survivors of abuse
How to support survivors of abuse
In an emergency, please call 000. For ongoing professional support for you or your loved one, we suggest contacting any of the following organisations:
1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732 (sexual assault, domestic and family violence)
13 YARN 13 92 76 (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Blue Knot 1300 657 380 (complex trauma due to abuse, neglect or violence)
Bravehearts free call 1800 272 831 (sexual abuse as a child)
Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention)
