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NSW Courts To Break Unfair Settlements Forced On Abuse Survivors by Churches
New reforms in NSW law mean that courts can redress unfair settlements forced on child sexual abuse survivors by churches and other institutions and lift restrictions on them speaking out publically.
Parramatta Marist High School – Call for Witnesses
Koffels Law firm is seeking witnesses to alleged child sexual abuse perpetrated by Stuart Hawkins who was a teacher of Parramatta Marist High School between 1975 and 1993.
The Key To A Successful Compensation Claim: Follow It Through
Having successfully acted in literally hundreds of matters regarding the abuse of children in a myriad of institutions across Australia, it is sometimes good to reflect on the very positive outcomes from the process of a successful claim.
NSW Abuse Victims to have Unfair Agreements Reviewed After Statute of Limitations Reform
In coming months, victims who settled historical abuse claims in NSW pre-2016 will be able to have their agreements reviewed by Courts to assess whether they were unfairly small.
aka Kevin Jewell from Marist Brothers Eastwood can help other victims of institutional child sexual abuse find their voice
Conviction of Brother Dacian aka Kevin Jewell from Marist Brothers Eastwood can help other victims of institutional child sexual abuse find their voice.
5 things you should know about the National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme published its final report for 2nd year review. The following are five things you must know before you make an application with the National Redress Scheme.
Drugs in Sport – Suspension of Athletes due to Ingesting Banned Substances is About to Get a Major Re-think
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed the application of the World Anti-Doping Agency and Sport Integrity Australia, who challenged the reduced suspension of Australian swimmer, Shayna Jack.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses charged with Allowing Sexual Abuse of 11 Year Old
It is a reminder to us all that no group or institution can be seen to be beyond suspicion when it comes to the abuse of children in our society. We constantly hear people say that this would never happen in their community but the truth is, it does. This time that spotlight has now been focused on the Australian branch of the Jehovah’s...
Family Law Sees Biggest Change In A Generation
The Courts are Re-Vamping and making the Biggest Changes seen in a Generation – how will this Immediately Affect You and your Family Court Proceedings.
The National Redress Scheme – Selling Abuse Victims Short
The Redress Scheme for victims of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse seemed like a worthy attempt to provide compensation to victims on a fairly simplistic basis of one-off payments. Time has shown us however, that this apparent largesse on behalf of the participating institutions is not all it was purported to be. While for those for whom there is no other avenue to seek monetary...
Paedophile Priest Anthony William Peter Caruana convicted for Chevalier College Abuse
It was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, 19 August 2021 edition, in an article by Georgina Mitchell, that paedophile Priest Anthony William Peter Caruana, has been convicted of 22 counts of indecent assault and four counts of sexual intercourse with a pupil of the school.
Surviving Child Abuse As An Adult
My name is Sharon, and I am a personal injury lawyer with Koffels Solicitors and Barristers in Sydney. Since 2012 I have assisted hundreds of survivors of child abuse with their compensation claims. I am also a registered nurse with more than 10 years of frontline psychiatric nursing experience. So I understand how difficult one’s life can be living with childhood trauma and psychiatric...
Addressing Abuse In Sport Needs More Than Individual Courage
Sports Integrity Australia has come under attack due to alarming rates of abuse in sports such as gymnastics and swimming, but we can't continue to rely solely on the courage of individuals to bring instances of abuse to light.
New Queensland Law Reform Reaches into The Confessional
On 5 July 2021, amendments to the Criminal Code of Queensland (section 229BC) took effect, making it a crime for an adult who gains information that a child sexual offence has been committed by an adult to fail to report that to police. Changes to the law specifically include information gained by a priest during confession. In truth, such changes concerning the confessional are largely symbolic....
Institutional Sexual Abuse Compensation – How The Legal Process Works
With experience on our side, the Personal Injury Institutional Sexual Abuse specialists at Koffels Solicitors and Barristers will listen, understand, and assure our client that they are not alone and that they will be supported in the process.
