Institutional child sexual abuse lawyers

Koffels Solicitors & Barristers acts for adult survivors of institutional child sexual abuse across Australia. We advise on civil compensation claims and the National Redress Scheme, and we have represented survivors before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Every enquiry is confidential, and the first conversation is free.

You do not need to have reported the abuse, found any records, or decided whether to go ahead before you contact us. Many survivors speak with us early, simply to understand their options.

What we mean by “sexual abuse lawyer”

“Sexual abuse lawyer” is a broad term, and different lawyers handle very different matters. Koffels acts in civil compensation claims for institutional child sexual abuse. That generally means:

you were abused as a child or young person
the abuse was committed by someone connected with an institution, such as a school, church, care home, youth organisation, or the State
the institution failed to protect you
the abuse may have happened years or decades ago
you are now seeking compensation, recognition, and accountability

This is a distinct area of law. It is not general personal injury work, and it is not a criminal prosecution. It has its own principles, including vicarious liability, the non-delegable duty of care, the statutory duties now placed on organisations, and the evidence needed in historical matters. If you are not sure whether your situation fits, contact us for a free, confidential assessment.

Why survivors choose Koffels

We have acted for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse since 2010. In the last five years alone, we have taken on more than 950 matters against schools, churches, boys’ homes, youth detention centres, sporting organisations, and government institutions across Australia. Our institutional abuse practice is led by Ross Koffel, who has represented survivors in matters involving the Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers, De La Salle institutions, and many independent and government schools.

We have acted at the highest level of Australian law. In 2026, in AA v The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle [2026] HCA 2, the High Court of Australia held the Diocese liable for breach of a non-delegable duty of care. Koffels represented AA. The Court overruled the earlier Lepore decision to the extent that it excluded intentional criminal acts, such as sexual abuse, from that duty. If your claim was previously assessed as limited by Lepore, this decision may change your position.

We file formal proceedings in the vast majority of matters. That does not mean your case will end up in a courtroom. Very few do, and most resolve at mediation. But there is a real difference between negotiating with proceedings underway and making an informal approach without them. Institutions take a claim more seriously, and their offers reflect it, when they know the firm across the table is prepared to go all the way.

We assess what a claim is actually worth. Compensation in this area was once often calculated narrowly, looking at the abuse and its immediate aftermath. What got left out was everything else: the career that never happened, decades of treatment costs, and the effect of trauma on a whole life. We factor all of that in. It takes more work, and it produces better outcomes for clients.

Where it matters to you, we pursue a written apology. On top of the financial settlement, not instead of it. Compensation is always the main objective, but for some clients, having the institution acknowledge in writing that what happened was wrong, and that it was responsible, matters a great deal.

We are independent. We are not part of a corporate chain or a volume-processing firm. Every matter is handled by a lawyer who works in this area every day. We act for survivors throughout Australia and overseas, and can meet in person in Sydney or by video.

What we do

Civil compensation claims

We advise whether a civil claim is available, identify the institution legally responsible (or its successor or insurer), and manage the claim from first advice through to resolution. A civil claim is assessed on the actual harm the abuse has done to your life, including psychological injury, lost earnings, and treatment costs, and there is no fixed maximum. For a detailed explanation, see our guide to institutional abuse compensation.

National Redress Scheme advice

The National Redress Scheme may suit some survivors where a civil claim is not viable. For most survivors with a viable claim, though, 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 against the institution. Applications close on 30 June 2027.

We give you a clear, honest assessment of both pathways so you can make an informed choice. We do not lodge Redress applications ourselves, and we do not charge for advice before you accept a Redress offer.

No win, no fee

We act on a no win, no fee basis for institutional abuse claims we assess as reasonably likely to succeed. Our professional fees are only payable if your claim succeeds. Out-of-pocket expenses, such as records and expert reports, are separate and will be discussed with you at the outset.

What to expect when you contact us

Many survivors find the first call the hardest part. When you contact Koffels, you will speak with a lawyer who works in these matters every day, not an intake officer.

A free, confidential first conversation. Share only what you feel comfortable sharing. You are not committing to anything.
A trauma-informed approach. You will not be asked for graphic detail unless and until it becomes legally necessary.
An honest assessment. We will assess the institution’s liability, advise whether a civil claim or the Scheme suits you, and be candid about realistic outcomes.
Support throughout. We work to minimise re-traumatisation, and you will always know what is happening and why.

How a claim works

First conversation. We listen, ask some questions about what happened and the institution involved, and give you an honest view of your options.
Assessment and evidence. If you decide to go ahead, we take a detailed statement, request records from the institution, identify the right defendant (which may be a successor body, an insurer, or a government department where an institution has closed or restructured), and obtain medical and other expert reports.
Notifying the institution. We set out your claim to the institution or its insurer.
Filing proceedings. In the vast majority of matters, we file formal proceedings. That puts weight behind negotiations. It does not mean you will have to attend a hearing.
Mediation and settlement. Most claims resolve at mediation, and settlements are usually confidential. Very few go to a hearing.

On average, a civil claim takes about 2.2 years from instruction, depending on records, expert assessments, and the institution involved. The process moves at a pace that works for you.

Can I still make a claim if the abuse happened decades ago?

In most cases, yes. Every Australian state and territory has removed the time limit for civil claims arising from child sexual abuse, so a claim is not barred simply because time has passed. Individual circumstances still matter. See our guide to time limits for historical abuse claims.

If you signed a settlement or deed years ago, you may not be stuck with it. Several states, including New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, now allow survivors in some circumstances to apply to set aside an unfair historical settlement. We can advise whether this applies to you.

Who we represent

We represent adult survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Many of our clients are in their 40s, 50s, or older, because it often takes decades before a survivor feels ready to address what happened. There is no deadline to make an enquiry.

Survivors come to us from schools (government, Catholic, and independent, day and boarding), churches and religious orders, youth detention centres and boys’ homes, residential care, foster care, and sports clubs and youth organisations. We have dedicated pages for institutions where we have acted for multiple survivors, including:

See the full list of institution pages. If you cannot find your institution, contact us anyway. We act in matters involving many more institutions than are published on this site, and many survivors contact us before any public information is available.

Confidentiality

All enquiries are treated in strict confidence. Most claims settle confidentially before trial. If your matter goes to court, we can seek orders to protect your identity, including the use of a pseudonym or initials in court documents, and in appropriate cases suppression or non-publication orders. We will discuss these protections with you at the outset.

Speak with us

Taking the first step is often the hardest part. The conversation is confidential and does not commit you to anything. You can ask to speak with a male or female lawyer.

Call +612 9283 5599 or use the form below.

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.

What our clients have said

“No one wants to see a lawyer but when I spoke to Ross about the nature of my claim, I immediately felt at ease and knew that he was the right person to represent me.”

“From the very first time we met you we were treated with respect, compassion and patience.”

John and Christine Odell

“What stands out the most is Koffels’ immense empathy for my feelings and emotions during each stage of the legal case.”

David Allen

Frequently asked questions

Is there a time limit to make a claim for historical institutional abuse?

In most cases, no. Every Australian state and territory has removed the time limit for civil claims arising from child sexual abuse. Individual circumstances still matter, so get advice on your situation.

Does making a claim mean going to court?

Very rarely. We file formal proceedings in most matters, but that is not the same as a court hearing. Filing gives mediation weight, because institutions respond differently when they know the firm across the table is prepared to go further. Most matters settle at mediation, well before any hearing.

What is the difference between a civil claim and the National Redress Scheme?

A civil claim is assessed on your individual circumstances, including the full impact on your health, work, relationships, and quality of life, and has no fixed maximum. The National Redress Scheme caps payments at $150,000, and most payments are well below that. Accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes your right to a civil claim against the institution, so get independent legal advice first. Applications close on 30 June 2027.

What if the person who abused me has died?

You may still be able to claim. You usually bring a civil claim against the institution, not just the individual. Many of Australia’s major school and church abuse cases involve offenders who have died, were never charged, or were moved between schools or parishes.

What if the institution no longer exists?

Institutions often close, change names, or merge into other organisations. Legal responsibility may sit with a successor body, an insurer, or a government department. Identifying the right defendant is part of our work on a claim.

Do I need to have reported the abuse at the time?

No. Many survivors never reported at the time for well-understood reasons. That does not prevent a claim now.

What if I don’t remember everything clearly?

That is common in historical claims and does not prevent a claim. We understand how memory and trauma interact, and build a claim from all the available evidence, including institutional records and witness accounts, not memory alone.

How long does a civil claim take?

On average, about 2.2 years from instruction. It depends on the records available, expert assessments, and how the institution responds. We keep you informed at every stage.

Can my identity be protected?

Yes, in most cases. Most claims settle confidentially before trial, and courts can order identity protection, including the use of a pseudonym and suppression or non-publication orders.

What does no win, no fee mean in practice?

For claims we assess as reasonably likely to succeed, our professional fees are only payable if your claim succeeds. Out-of-pocket expenses, such as records and expert reports, are separate and will be discussed openly at the outset.

Can I get advice before deciding whether to go ahead?

Yes. The first conversation is free and confidential, and it does not commit you to anything. Many survivors speak with us simply to understand their options before deciding what to do.