If you were in Salvation Army care or welfare settings
If you spent time as a child or young person in a residential home, care facility, or welfare program operated by or connected with The Salvation Army in Australia, you may be entitled to seek compensation for abuse you experienced in that setting.
The Salvation Army operated a range of residential homes and care programs across Australia, primarily across its Eastern Territory (New South Wales, Queensland, and the ACT) and Southern Territory (Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory). These settings varied significantly by location, time period, and governance structure.
This page provides general context about The Salvation Army’s historical care role, the findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and the compensation options available to survivors. It does not constitute legal advice. Options depend on individual circumstances.
The Royal Commission findings
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse examined The Salvation Army’s response to child sexual abuse in two separate case studies.
Case Study 5 (heard January to February 2014, findings published January 2015) examined four boys’ homes operated by The Salvation Army’s Eastern Territory in New South Wales and Queensland. The Royal Commission found that The Salvation Army did not protect boys from sexual abuse in each of the four homes examined, and that in most cases boys who reported abuse were punished, disbelieved, or had their reports ignored. The Royal Commission also found that officers and staff accused of abuse were moved between homes without those receiving them being told of the allegations.
Case Study 33 examined homes operated by The Salvation Army’s Southern Territory, including facilities in South Australia and Western Australia.
The Royal Commission further found that government agencies in both Queensland and New South Wales, responsible for child welfare oversight of these homes, were aware of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and poor conditions, yet rarely recorded allegations and generally did not refer matters to police.
In response to the Royal Commission’s findings, The Salvation Army acknowledged failures in its care and committed to working with survivors. The Salvation Army joined the National Redress Scheme in May 2018 and is a participating institution.
For a detailed account of the homes, the Royal Commission’s findings, and what they mean for survivors, see our dedicated page: Salvation Army Boys’ Homes: Royal Commission Findings.
Homes examined by the Royal Commission
The following homes were directly examined as part of Case Study 5 (Eastern Territory):
- Gill Memorial Home, Goulburn, NSW (operated 1936 to 1980)
- Bexley Boys’ Home, Bexley, NSW (operated 1915 to 1979)
- Riverview Training Farm (also known as Endeavour Training Farm), Riverview, Queensland (operated 1922 to 1983)
- Alkira Salvation Army Home for Boys, Indooroopilly, Queensland (operated 1898 to 1977)
Case Study 33 (Southern Territory) examined homes including facilities at Box Hill and Eden Park in Victoria, Bayswater in South Australia, and Hollywood Children’s Village (Nedlands) in Western Australia.
These are not the only Salvation Army facilities that operated in Australia. Other residential programs, care homes, and welfare services operated across multiple states over many decades. If you were in a Salvation Army setting not listed above, that does not prevent you from seeking legal advice about your options.
Institutional responsibility
Institutional responsibility in care settings can involve multiple layers, depending on the period, the structure in place at the time, and the roles of different parties.
In the context of Salvation Army homes, responsibility may involve:
- The Salvation Army itself, through its relevant territorial structure (Eastern or Southern Territory)
- Individual homes and their management at the time of the abuse
- Government agencies that licensed, funded, or were responsible for oversight of the relevant facilities
Safeguarding standards, supervision practices, and reporting frameworks have evolved significantly over time. Historical claims require careful consideration of the structures in place during the relevant period.
In NSW and most Australian jurisdictions, limitation periods for child sexual abuse claims have been removed, meaning historical abuse may still be legally actionable even if it occurred many decades ago.
Compensation options for Salvation Army abuse survivors
Survivors of abuse in Salvation Army care settings generally have two main pathways to consider: a civil compensation claim and the National Redress Scheme. These are separate processes with different outcomes, timelines, and legal consequences.
Civil compensation claims
A civil compensation claim is a legal claim against an institution, typically alleging that the organisation failed to take reasonable steps to prevent abuse or failed to respond appropriately when abuse was known or suspected. Civil claims are run in court and are not capped. Compensation may include general damages, psychological injury damages, past and future economic loss, and treatment costs, depending on the evidence and circumstances.
Civil claims can result in significantly higher compensation than the National Redress Scheme. Koffels Solicitors and Barristers has run civil compensation claims against The Salvation Army and other institutions in the Supreme Court. For a confidential discussion about whether a civil claim is available in your circumstances, contact us on +612 9283 5599.
National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme is a government-administered scheme that provides recognition and support to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. The Salvation Army is a participating institution. Applications must be lodged before 30 June 2027.
Redress may include a monetary payment (capped under the Scheme’s framework), access to counselling and psychological care, and a direct personal response from the institution. Redress payments are not the same as civil compensation and do not include amounts for economic loss or pain and suffering in the way a civil claim would.
Accepting a redress payment generally requires signing a release that prevents you from pursuing a civil claim against the same institution. This makes the decision between pathways an important one. Legal advice before applying is strongly recommended.
For a full explanation of the Scheme, eligibility, and how it compares to civil claims, see our dedicated page: National Redress Scheme.
Which option is right?
There is no single correct pathway for every survivor. Relevant considerations include the strength of available evidence, the severity and lasting impact of the abuse, your personal priorities, and which pathway is likely to achieve the best outcome in your specific circumstances. Many survivors begin by seeking confidential legal advice before making any decision.
Koffels Solicitors and Barristers offers a free, confidential initial consultation. We will give you an honest assessment of both options before you commit to anything.
Confidential legal advice
To speak with our team in confidence:
Phone: +612 9283 5599
Email: info@koffels.com.au
Time limits and historical claims
A common concern for survivors is whether too much time has passed to seek compensation. In most cases this is not a barrier.
In New South Wales and most other Australian states and territories, limitation periods that previously prevented historical abuse claims from being brought have been removed. This means abuse that occurred decades ago can still be the subject of a civil compensation claim in many circumstances.
The National Redress Scheme has its own eligibility criteria and requires that the abuse occurred before 1 July 2018. Applications close on 30 June 2027.
For a detailed explanation of how time limits apply to historical institutional abuse claims, see: Time limits for historical institutional abuse claims in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I seek compensation for abuse that happened in a Salvation Army home decades ago?
In most cases, yes. In New South Wales and most Australian jurisdictions, limitation periods for child sexual abuse claims have been removed. This means historical abuse can still be the subject of a civil compensation claim, even if it occurred many decades ago. The National Redress Scheme also accepts applications for historical abuse, provided the abuse occurred before 1 July 2018, and applications are lodged before 30 June 2027.
Is The Salvation Army part of the National Redress Scheme?
Yes. The Salvation Army is a participating institution in the National Redress Scheme. This means survivors of abuse in Salvation Army care settings can apply to the Scheme for redress. The Salvation Army joined the Scheme in May 2018.
What did the Royal Commission find about The Salvation Army?
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse conducted two case studies into The Salvation Army. In Case Study 5, the Royal Commission found that The Salvation Army did not protect boys from sexual abuse in four homes examined in NSW and Queensland, that boys who reported abuse were in most cases punished or disbelieved, and that officers accused of abuse were moved between homes without disclosure to receiving management. The Royal Commission also found that government oversight agencies failed to adequately record and refer allegations. These are formal findings of the Royal Commission, published in January 2015.
What is the difference between a civil claim and the National Redress Scheme?
A civil compensation claim is a legal proceeding in court. It is not capped and may include compensation for general damages, psychological injury, economic loss, and treatment costs. The National Redress Scheme is an administrative process offering capped payments, counselling, and a personal response from the institution. Accepting a redress payment generally prevents you from later pursuing a civil claim against the same institution. Legal advice before choosing a pathway is important.
What if the home I was in is not listed on this page?
The homes listed on this page were directly examined by the Royal Commission. The Salvation Army operated many other facilities across Australia over many decades. Not being in a listed home does not prevent you from seeking advice. Legal eligibility depends on your specific circumstances, not on whether your particular facility was part of a Royal Commission case study.
Do I need to have reported the abuse at the time to seek compensation now?
No. Many survivors did not report abuse at the time, for a range of reasons including fear, disbelief, lack of support, or the way reports were handled. You do not need to have made a formal complaint as a child to seek legal advice or pursue a compensation claim as an adult.
What evidence do I need?
Evidence in historical abuse claims can take many forms, including your personal statement, institutional or placement records, medical or counselling records, and disclosures you may have made to others over the years. You do not need documentary proof before seeking advice. A lawyer can help assess what evidence is available and what may be obtainable.
How do I find out more or get confidential advice?
Koffels Solicitors and Barristers offers a free, confidential initial consultation for survivors of institutional abuse. You can contact us by phone on +612 9283 5599 or by email at info@koffels.com.au. There is no obligation to proceed.
