Abused as an adult
Shine Lawyers’ trauma-informed Abuse Law team are compassionate and can be trusted with your abuse claim. Our mental health support team and No Win No Fee* abuse lawyers are ready to help you access justice and right wrong.
Find out more information about the types of claims we can help you with below:
Abuse law claims in Australia
Australian survivors of adult sexual, physical or psychological abuse may be eligible to seek compensation via a civil claim. Shine’s expert, trauma-informed Abuse Law team can help. Making an abuse law claim won’t erase what happened to you, but it may be an opportunity:
To hold someone (or an institution) to account
For acknowledgement of what happened to you
For an apology
Compensation (e.g. sexual abuse compensation) may help with the impact that abuse has had on your life.
Time limits for abused adults to claim compensation
Adult survivors of abuse must claim within strict time limits, which vary between states and territories. The usual time limit for adult survivors of abuse to claim is 3 years from the date of your abuse injury.
Types of claims Shine's abuse lawyers can help with
Talking about abuse can be overwhelming. If you’ve been abused as an adult, Shine’s expert, compassionate abuse lawyers can listen to you, advise on your situation and help you understand the abuse process and your options to claim compensation:
Abuse by a sexual partner or other person
ADF abuse or ADF sexual abuse while undergoing military training
Abuse by a medical practitioner or healthcare professional (commonly known as ‘medical abuse’)
Unauthorised forced adoption of your baby in a hospital or other birth facility
Why choose Shine's abuse claims solicitors?
Large abuse lawyers team
Shine Lawyers’ experienced and dedicated abuse law team is committed to supporting survivors and challenging institutions.
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* abuse lawyers
If you become a Shine Lawyers’ client, our dedicated abuse lawyers will provide expert legal advice, tailored to your situation, on a No Win No Fee* basis. We’ll work with you to build your abuse law claim and explain each step of the abuse process.
*Conditions apply
Trauma-informed abuse claim support
We recognise your courage in speaking up. Wherever possible, we’ll work with you to minimise the stress and inconvenience of the abuse process.
Our abuse lawyers are trained to work in a trauma-informed way. Our mental health support team help reduce the trauma of the abuse process for both our lawyers and clients. We’ll be with you, every step of the way.
Review your claim with our simple and free online tool.
What we will ask:
Questions to help us understand your experience and how your life has been impacted. Your responses will help us define the best course of action for your claim.
What happens next:
Book a confidential, obligation-free appointment with a legal expert, or
Speak with our team about your abuse compensation claim options
Access justice with Shine Lawyers
Whether your abuse compensation claim settles before a court hearing or proceeds to court, your compassionate abuse lawyers and mental health support team will guide you through the abuse process. We’ll explain what’s happening and help you anticipate what comes next.
Compensation can’t change the past, but it may help you to move forward.
Get in touch
To arrange a confidential, obligation-free discussion with our expert, trauma-informed abuse lawyers.
Adult Abuse FAQs
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 expert abuse lawyer. Get in touch to arrange a confidential, obligation-free first meeting. A member of Shine’s Abuse Law team can meet with you to hear your story and advise you based on your circumstances.
Can you get compensation for being abused?
Can you get compensation for being abused?
You may be eligible to make an abuse claim for compensation. Our compassionate, expert abuse lawyers can give you advice tailored to your circumstances. Get started with our free online claim checker or contact Shine Lawyers.
Are there time limits to make an abuse claim?
Are there time limits to make an abuse 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 Australian survivors of abuse in adulthood, time limits for making an abuse claim vary between states but are generally three years from the date the abuse occurred.
Do you need an abuse lawyer?
Do you need an abuse lawyer?
It’s possible to represent yourself for your abuse 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.
Is there support for survivors of adult abuse?
Is there support for survivors of adult 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 abuse as an adult, 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)
Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention)
