If you were held at Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville and you were sexually abused, physically abused, or mistreated there as a child, you may be entitled to compensation. That applies whether you were there decades ago or recently, and regardless of why you were in detention.
This page does not make findings or allegations against any individual. It gives general information to help former detainees understand their options.
About Cleveland
Cleveland Youth Detention Centre, at Rowes Bay in Townsville, is the only youth detention centre in regional Queensland. It opened in 1980 and is run by the Queensland Government, so a compensation claim is usually brought against the State of Queensland. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children make up a large share of the young people held there.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1980 | Cleveland opens in Townsville as a State-run youth detention centre |
| 2013 and 2015 | Queensland’s Youth Detention Inspectorate reports on incidents at the centre, including the use of force |
| August 2016 | Footage of alleged mistreatment at Cleveland is reported in the media, and the Attorney-General orders an independent review of Queensland’s youth detention centres |
| 2017 | The Independent Review of Youth Detention makes 83 recommendations, all accepted by the Queensland Government |
| September 2025 | A class action against the State over detention conditions since 2005 is reported as being prepared |
What is known about mistreatment at Cleveland
In 2016, the ABC reported allegations of excessive force and prolonged isolation of children at Cleveland, supported by CCTV footage and by reports from Queensland’s Youth Detention Inspectorate. The Independent Review of Youth Detention that followed, conducted by Kathryn McMillan QC and Professor Megan Davis, examined incidents largely from 2013 to early 2015 across Queensland’s youth detention centres.
More recently, a class action has been reported as being prepared against the State on behalf of people detained at Cleveland and other Queensland centres since 2005, over conditions including lockdowns caused by staff shortages and the use of force. If you were affected, an individual claim may also be available, particularly if you were sexually or seriously physically abused.
Cleveland is one of several Queensland centres covered in our guide to youth detention centre abuse compensation, alongside John Oxley and Westbrook.
Being in detention does not reduce your rights
Many former detainees assume they cannot make a claim because they were in custody for offending. That is not the case. A child in detention was in the State’s care, and the State had a responsibility to keep that child safe. Your reason for being at Cleveland has no bearing on whether you can claim for abuse that happened to you there.
Is it too late to make a claim?
In most cases, no. Queensland has gone further than most states. There is no time limit for civil claims arising from child sexual abuse, and since 2 March 2020 there has also been no time limit for claims arising from serious physical or psychological abuse of a child. Individual circumstances still matter, so get advice on your situation. See our guide to limitation periods for historical abuse claims.
Your options
For most survivors, a civil compensation claim against the State of Queensland is the stronger pathway. Compensation is assessed on the actual harm you have suffered, including to your health, work, relationships, and quality of life, and it is not capped. Virtually all claims settle before a hearing, and settlements are usually confidential. Read more about institutional abuse compensation.
The Queensland Government participates in the National Redress Scheme, which covers child sexual abuse only. The Scheme may suit some people where a civil claim is not viable, but for most survivors with a viable claim it works more in the institution’s favour than theirs. The maximum payment is $150,000 and is rarely reached, and accepting a payment permanently extinguishes your right to a civil claim. Applications close on 30 June 2027, so get independent legal advice before you apply.
| Civil compensation claim | National Redress Scheme | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Sexual abuse and serious physical or psychological abuse | Sexual abuse only |
| How much | Assessed on the actual harm suffered, with no cap | Up to $150,000, rarely reached |
| Effect on other options | None until you settle | Accepting a payment permanently extinguishes your right to a civil claim |
| Standard of proof | Balance of probabilities | Reasonable likelihood (a lower standard) |
| Independent legal advice | Your own lawyer acts for you throughout | Not routinely offered before you sign |
| Deadline | No time limit in Queensland for child sexual abuse or serious physical abuse claims, in most cases | Applications close 30 June 2027 |
Speak to us confidentially
A first conversation with Koffels is free and confidential, and it does not commit you to anything. We can speak with you by phone or video wherever you are in Queensland. If a case does go to court, you can generally ask to be identified by a pseudonym.
Call 02 9283 5599 or use the form below to request a callback.
If you need support now, you can contact the Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380, Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours), 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation for abuse at Cleveland if I was there because of offending?
Yes. The reason you were held at Cleveland does not affect your right to claim for abuse that happened to you there. The State of Queensland was responsible for your safety while you were in its custody.
Can I claim for physical abuse or excessive force, not just sexual abuse?
Possibly, yes. In Queensland, there is no time limit for civil claims arising from serious physical or psychological abuse of a child, as well as child sexual abuse. Whether the treatment you experienced amounts to serious abuse depends on the facts, so get advice. The National Redress Scheme, by contrast, covers sexual abuse only.
Who would my claim be against?
Usually the State of Queensland, because the Queensland Government runs Cleveland. You bring a claim against the State, not just the individual staff member involved.
I was at Cleveland recently. Can I still make a claim?
Yes. A claim does not have to be historical. If you were abused or mistreated at Cleveland at any time as a child, including in recent years, you may be able to claim. If you are still under 18, a parent or guardian can speak with us on your behalf.
Is there a class action for Cleveland?
A class action against the State over conditions in Queensland youth detention centres, including Cleveland, has been reported as being prepared for people detained since 2005. A class action and an individual claim are different. If you were sexually or seriously physically abused, an individual claim assessed on your own circumstances may be the better option. Speak with us before you sign up to anything.
Is Cleveland covered by the National Redress Scheme?
Cleveland Youth Detention Centre appears on the National Redress Scheme register, and the Queensland Government participates in the Scheme. The Scheme covers child sexual abuse only. Before you apply, get independent legal advice: accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes your right to a civil claim.
I was held at more than one Queensland centre. Can I still claim?
Yes. Many young people were moved between centres such as Cleveland, Brisbane Youth Detention Centre, and John Oxley. Because the State ran each of them, one claim can cover abuse at more than one centre.
