If you experienced sexual abuse as a child in the Scouts, you may have a right to civil compensation – and that right exists regardless of when the abuse occurred or whether you have reported it before.
Scouts Australia was examined twice by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, first in 2013 and again in 2016. The Royal Commission’s findings, and the accounts of survivors who came forward during that process, make plain that child sexual abuse occurred within Scouting organisations across Australia over many decades, and that institutional responses were too often inadequate.
Koffels Solicitors & Barristers has acted for survivors of institutional abuse for many years. This page explains your legal options, what civil compensation involves, and how the National Redress Scheme compares to a civil claim. It also links to detailed information about specific individuals who abused children in the Scouts, including accounts published as part of our ongoing commitment to giving survivors and witnesses a place to be heard.
This page does not make findings or allegations against Scouts Australia or any of its branches. It provides general legal information to help former members and other survivors understand the options available to them.
The Royal Commission and Scouts Australia
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse dedicated two separate case studies to Scouts Australia, which reflects the seriousness and breadth of what the Commission found.
Case Study 1 (2013) examined how Scouts Australia and its Hunter and Coastal Region responded to allegations and information about a Scout leader between 1997 and 2001. The case study looked at the adequacy of the institutional response and what was known, or should have been known, at each point.
Case Study 48 (2016) examined the child protection policies and procedures of Scouts New South Wales, including how the organisation responded to allegations of child sexual abuse. The Royal Commission acknowledged some positive changes Scouts NSW had made following Case Study 1, while noting ongoing questions about whether child safety standards were being applied consistently across state and territory branches.
The Royal Commission’s work confirmed that abuse within Scouting was not limited to isolated incidents. It occurred across multiple locations and over many years. For survivors, this history matters because it reinforces both the legitimacy of their experience and their legal standing to pursue compensation.
Civil compensation – what it means for Scouts survivors
A civil compensation claim is the pathway Koffels recommends for the overwhelming majority of survivors with a viable claim. Unlike the National Redress Scheme, there is no cap on what can be recovered. Compensation is assessed on the actual harm you have suffered — to your health, your career, your relationships, and your quality of life across your lifetime.
This matters enormously in practice. The Scouts, like other organisations, operated in ways that gave leaders close and largely unsupervised access to children. Abuse that occurs at a formative age can have profound and lasting consequences on educational attainment, career trajectory, earning capacity, and mental health. A properly calculated civil claim can account for all of these losses in full. For many survivors, the difference between what a civil claim can recover and what the National Redress Scheme offers is very significant.
Civil compensation is assessed on what actually happened to you and what it has actually cost you. That is a fundamentally different calculation from the formulaic, capped payments available through the Scheme.
In most cases, civil claims settle prior to any court hearing. This means you are not required to give evidence at trial. Confidentiality is standard as part of the settlement. You are in control of the process to a much greater degree than the Scheme allows.
NSW limitation periods: New South Wales has removed the time limits that previously prevented survivors from bringing civil claims for historical child sexual abuse. In most cases, this means there is no time barrier to bringing a claim, though individual circumstances still matter, and we recommend seeking legal advice to understand your specific position.
The National Redress Scheme – understanding your options
Scouts Australia is a member of the National Redress Scheme, through both the national body (listed on the register as The Scout Association of Australia and Scouts Australia National Body) and separately through a number of state and territory branches, including the NSW Branch, ACT Branch, Victorian Branch, SA Branch, NT Branch, and Tasmanian Branch. This means survivors of abuse within Scouts may be eligible to apply to the Scheme.
Whether the Scheme is the right path for you is a separate question, and one that deserves careful consideration. The maximum payment available under the National Redress Scheme is $150,000. In practice, this maximum is rarely achieved. For serious abuse, the average payment is approximately $80,000. Many payments are significantly lower – Koffels has seen cases where survivors received as little as $7,000.
The critical point is this: accepting a payment from the National Redress Scheme permanently extinguishes your right to bring a civil compensation claim. Once you accept a Scheme payment, you cannot go back. For survivors who may be entitled to substantially greater compensation through civil proceedings, this decision deserves the benefit of independent legal advice before it is made.
There are circumstances where the Scheme may be the most appropriate option. Where a civil claim is not viable, or where a survivor’s individual circumstances make the Scheme preferable, Koffels can assist with that process too. We offer free initial advice to anyone considering a Scheme application or who has already applied and is waiting on a determination. If your application has not yet been resolved, it is not too late to understand whether a civil claim might better serve you.
Applications to the National Redress Scheme close on 30 June 2027. The Scheme itself sunsets on 30 June 2028.
For further information on the Scheme and how it compares to civil compensation, see:
- The National Redress Scheme – a review
- 5 things you should know about the National Redress Scheme
- What happens when the National Redress Scheme expires?
Named individuals – abuse in the Scouts
Over a number of years, Koffels has published detailed accounts relating to named individuals who abused children within the Scouts. These pages include calls for witnesses from other survivors who may not yet have come forward.
If you were abused by one of the individuals named below, or if you witnessed abuse or have information that may assist others, we encourage you to read the relevant page and contact us confidentially.
- Kim Richard Harvey – abuse in the Boy Scouts
- John William Alcorn – child sexual abuse as a Scout leader
- Martinus Nicholas Hulsman – child abuse in the Scouts
- Trevor Halse – Scout leader, call for witnesses
- Scouts NSW – general call for witnesses
- Boy Scout sexual abuse – overview
If the person who abused you is not named above, that does not affect your right to pursue a civil compensation claim. Contact us to discuss your situation in confidence.
Scouts ACT – child abuse liability legislation
One area where Scouts-related legal developments extend beyond NSW is the Australian Capital Territory. Scouts Australia (ACT Branch) is separately listed as a member of the National Redress Scheme, and the ACT has been at the forefront of legislative reform designed to make it easier for survivors of institutional child abuse to bring civil claims.
For a detailed explanation of the ACT’s child abuse liability legislation and what it means for survivors, see: Scouts ACT and the new child abuse liability bill – questions and answers
Speak with Koffels – free and confidential
The decisions survivors make early in the process can have lasting consequences. Accepting a National Redress Scheme payment before obtaining legal advice, or providing statements to institutions or their insurers without understanding your rights, can permanently limit your options.
Koffels offers free initial consultations for survivors of institutional abuse. We can assess your situation, explain what civil compensation might look like in your case, and help you understand whether the Scheme or a civil claim is the better path for you. There is no obligation to proceed, and the conversation is completely confidential.
If you were abused in the Scouts – or if you are already in the Scheme process and want to understand whether you have better options – we encourage you to call us before making any decision.
Get free, confidential advice
Call Koffels Solicitors & Barristers on 02 9283 5599 or use the contact form below. We act for survivors across Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still make a compensation claim if the abuse happened decades ago?
In most cases, yes. New South Wales has removed the time limits that previously prevented survivors from bringing civil claims for historical child sexual abuse. This means the age at which the abuse occurred is generally not a barrier to making a claim in NSW. The position varies in other states and territories, but legislative reform has expanded access for survivors across Australia in recent years. Individual circumstances still matter, and we recommend seeking legal advice to understand your specific situation. Call Koffels on 02 9283 5599 for a free, confidential discussion.
Do I need to have reported the abuse to the police before I can make a claim?
No. You do not need to have made a police report, and you do not need a criminal conviction against the offender, to bring a civil compensation claim. Civil claims and criminal proceedings are separate legal processes with different standards of proof. Many survivors successfully bring civil claims without any parallel criminal process. If you are considering reporting to the police as well, we can discuss how the two processes interact and what to keep in mind.
What compensation can I receive for abuse in the Scouts?
Civil compensation is assessed on the actual harm you have suffered, with no cap. This includes the impact of the abuse on your mental and physical health, your capacity to work and earn income, your relationships, and your overall quality of life. It accounts for both harm already suffered and harm that is ongoing or likely to continue. For many survivors, a properly calculated civil claim – which can include loss of earning capacity, costs of future treatment, and general damages for pain and suffering – may result in substantially greater compensation than the National Redress Scheme, which has a maximum payment of $150,000, rarely achieved in practice.
Is Scouts Australia a member of the National Redress Scheme?
Yes. Multiple Scouts Australia entities are listed as members of the National Redress Scheme, including the national body (listed as The Scout Association of Australia and Scouts Australia National Body) and several state and territory branches, including the NSW Branch, ACT Branch, Victorian Branch, SA Branch, NT Branch, and Tasmanian Branch. Survivors of abuse within Scouts may be eligible to apply to the Scheme. However, Koffels strongly recommends obtaining independent legal advice before making any application, because accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes your right to bring a civil compensation claim. Applications close on 30 June 2027.
What is the difference between a civil compensation claim and the National Redress Scheme?
A civil compensation claim is a legal claim brought through the courts against the institution or individuals responsible for your abuse. Compensation is uncapped and assessed on your actual losses and harm, including economic loss, loss of earning capacity, and the long-term impact of the abuse on your life. Most claims settle before any court hearing, with confidentiality as standard. The National Redress Scheme is a government-administered payment scheme with a maximum payment of $150,000 that is rarely achieved in practice and an average payment for serious abuse of approximately $80,000. The critical difference is that accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes your right to bring a civil claim. For survivors with viable civil claims, the difference in recoverable compensation can be very significant.
I have already applied to the National Redress Scheme. Is it too late to get legal advice?
If your application has not yet been determined, it is not too late. You still have options, and understanding them before you receive and accept a determination is important. Koffels offers free initial advice to anyone who has applied to the Scheme and is waiting on an outcome. We can help you understand whether a civil compensation claim might better reflect the true value of your loss, and what your choices are before you make any final decision. Call us on 02 9283 5599.
What did the Royal Commission find about Scouts Australia?
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse examined Scouts Australia in two separate case studies. Case Study 1, in 2013, examined how Scouts Australia and its Hunter and Coastal Region responded to allegations regarding a Scout leader between 1997 and 2001. Case Study 48, published in 2016, examined the child protection policies and procedures of Scouts New South Wales. The Royal Commission’s work confirmed that child sexual abuse occurred within Scouting organisations over many decades and that institutional responses were inadequate in a number of respects. Scouts Australia established its first national child protection policy in November 2016 as a direct result of the Royal Commission’s findings.
Can I make a claim if I was abused by a Scout leader who has since died?
In many cases, yes. Where the individual offender has died, a civil claim may still be brought against the organisation responsible for the setting in which the abuse occurred, on the basis that the organisation was negligent in its duty to protect you. This is a complex area of law, and the viability of a claim depends on the specific circumstances. We recommend speaking with our team to understand your options.
Will I have to go to court?
The vast majority of civil compensation claims for institutional abuse settle before reaching a court hearing. This means most survivors do not have to give evidence in court. Settlement negotiations are confidential, and the terms of any settlement – including the amount paid – are typically kept confidential as well. Koffels will give you a realistic assessment of the likely pathway for your matter from the outset.
How long does a civil compensation claim take?
The timeframe varies depending on the complexity of your matter, the institution involved, and whether the claim proceeds through negotiation or requires further steps. Many matters resolve within 12 to 24 months. Some take longer, particularly where liability is contested or where gathering evidence requires more time. We will give you a realistic assessment of timeframes when we discuss your matter. Beginning the process sooner rather than later preserves your options and avoids complications that can arise from delay.
Can Koffels help if the abuse occurred in a state other than NSW?
Yes. Koffels acts for survivors across Australia, not only in New South Wales. The legal framework for civil claims and the National Redress Scheme applies nationally, though some aspects – particularly limitation periods and applicable legislation – vary between states and territories. We will advise you on the law that applies in your situation. Contact us regardless of where the abuse occurred.
What if I am not sure whether what happened to me counts as abuse?
You do not need to be certain of legal definitions before contacting us. Our team can listen to what happened, explain how the law approaches it, and help you understand whether you may have a claim. There is no obligation and no cost involved in having that initial conversation. Many survivors find that what was done to them was more serious in legal terms than they had previously understood.
