Why survivors choose Koffels – and what we actually do
Survivors of child sexual abuse deserve justice, accountability, and fair compensation. This page explains what kind of firm Koffels is, what we specifically do, and why survivors across Australia choose us to act for them in institutional abuse matters.
What we mean when we say “sexual abuse lawyer”
The term sexual abuse lawyer is used broadly. In practice, different lawyers handle very different types of matters.
Koffels acts in civil claims for historical institutional child sexual abuse. This means:
- you were abused as a child or young person
- the abuse was committed by an adult in a position of authority
- the institution – school, church, care home, organisation, or the State – failed to protect you
- the harm occurred 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 the same as criminal prosecution. If you are uncertain whether your situation falls within this scope, contact us for a confidential, no-obligation assessment.
Why survivors choose Koffels
We have been acting for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse since 2010. Over the last five years alone, we have taken on nearly 900 matters, helping clients pursue claims against schools, churches, boys’ homes, youth detention centres, sporting organisations, and government institutions right across Australia.
Several things distinguish how we work:
We file formal legal 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 through mediation. But there is a significant difference between negotiating while proceedings are underway and making an informal approach without them. Institutions take claims more seriously when they know the firm across the table is genuinely prepared to go all the way. We are, and our track record shows it.
We assess what a claim is actually worth – fully. Earlier in this area of law, compensation was often calculated on a narrow basis: what happened, and the immediate aftermath. What got left out was everything else – the career that never happened, the decades of treatment costs, the compounding effect of trauma on a person’s entire life from that point forward. We factor all of that in. It takes more work, but it produces substantially better outcomes for clients.
We have acted at the highest levels of Australian law. In early 2026, the High Court of Australia handed down a landmark decision in AA v Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle [2026] HCA 2. Koffels represented AA. The Court found the Diocese liable under a non-delegable duty of care, overturning the earlier Lepore decision. This is one of the most significant rulings for institutional abuse survivors in Australian legal history. If your matter was previously assessed as limited by the Lepore reasoning, the decision in AA v Diocese may change your position.
In appropriate cases, we pursue a written apology. On top of the financial settlement, not instead of it. The money is always the main objective. But for some clients, having the institution put in writing that what happened was wrong and that it was their responsibility matters enormously. Where that is important to a client, we pursue it.
We are independent and private. We are not part of a corporate chain or a volume-processing firm. Every matter receives individualised attention from a lawyer who works in this area every day.
What to expect when you contact us
We aim to make the process as safe and straightforward as possible.
- Free, confidential first conversation. You can contact us with only the details you feel comfortable sharing. You are not committing to anything.
- Trauma-informed approach throughout. You will not be asked for graphic detail unless and until it becomes legally necessary.
- Honest assessment of your options. We will assess the institution’s liability, advise on whether a civil claim or the National Redress Scheme is the right pathway for you, and be candid about limitations and realistic outcomes.
- No win, no fee. You pay nothing upfront for civil claims. Our fees are only payable if your matter succeeds.
- Support throughout. We act to minimise re-traumatisation and keep you informed at every stage. You will always know what is happening and why.
Can I still make a claim if the abuse happened decades ago?
Yes. All Australian states and territories have removed limitation periods for child sexual abuse. This means you can pursue a claim many years after the abuse occurred, regardless of how long it took to come forward, and no matter your age now.
Even if you previously signed a confidentiality agreement or historic settlement, recent reforms in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland now allow some survivors to challenge or overturn unfair deeds. If you are unsure whether you still have rights, we can advise you.
For a detailed explanation of limitation periods across all states and territories, see our guide to time limits for historical abuse claims.
What if my abuser is dead?
You can still make a civil claim. Civil liability is pursued against the institution, not the individual offender. Many of Australia’s major school and religious abuse cases involve deceased offenders, offenders who were never charged, or offenders who were moved between schools or parishes. If the institution exists, or has a successor organisation, a claim can still be brought.
Civil compensation or the National Redress Scheme?
These are distinct pathways with significantly different outcomes. Civil claims are uncapped and assessed on your individual circumstances. The National Redress Scheme is capped at $150,000, with most payments coming in well below that. Critically, accepting a Redress offer permanently extinguishes your right to pursue a civil claim against the same institution.
We advise survivors honestly on which pathway is best for them. For a full explanation of both pathways and their implications, see our National Redress Scheme guide.
Who we represent
We represent adult survivors of institutional child sexual abuse across Australia. Our clients come to us from many different kinds of institutions – schools, churches and religious organisations, boys’ homes and residential care facilities, youth detention centres, sports clubs and youth organisations, and foster care placements. Koffels has acted in claims across virtually every institutional category in Australia.
For information about specific institutions, see our institutional abuse compensation hub, which includes dedicated pages for the Marist Brothers, De La Salle Brothers, Christian Brothers, Knox Grammar School, the Scots College, St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill, the Salvation Army, and others.
The Royal Commission and what it means for your claim
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse fundamentally changed how courts assess institutional responsibility. Its findings underpin much of the legal framework that makes historical civil claims viable today. For an overview of the Commission’s findings and their ongoing relevance to survivors, see our Royal Commission pillar page.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of institutions does Koffels act against?
Koffels has acted in claims involving schools (Catholic, independent, and government), churches and religious orders, boys’ homes, youth detention centres, foster care placements, sporting clubs, scouting and youth organisations, and boarding facilities. If you are unsure whether your institution falls within scope, contact us directly – we are active in matters involving a wider range of institutions than are currently published on this site.
Does making a claim mean going to court?
Very few matters end up in a courtroom. We file formal legal proceedings in the vast majority of matters we take on, but that is not the same as a court hearing. Filing proceedings gives mediation weight – institutions respond differently when they know the firm across the table is genuinely prepared to go further. Most matters settle at mediation, well before any hearing.
How is civil compensation different from the National Redress Scheme?
A civil claim has no cap and is assessed on your individual circumstances, including the full impact on your health, career, relationships, and quality of life. The National Redress Scheme caps payments at $150,000, with most payments significantly below that figure. Accepting a Redress payment permanently extinguishes your right to pursue a civil claim. Before accepting any Redress offer, you should obtain independent legal advice. We do not charge for that advice.
What does no-win, no-fee mean in practice?
It means our professional legal fees are only payable if your claim is successful. Out-of-pocket expenses – such as obtaining records or expert reports – are separate and will be discussed transparently at the outset. There is no cost for the initial consultation.
Can my identity be protected?
Most institutional abuse claims resolve confidentially before trial. Courts can also make suppression and non-publication orders to protect your identity. Many survivors never set foot in a courtroom, and confidentiality is a standard consideration in settlement negotiations. We will discuss the privacy protections that may apply to your specific situation at the outset.
Speak with us
Taking the first step is often the hardest part. When you contact us, you are not committing to anything. You will speak with a lawyer who works in this area every day, not a receptionist or intake officer. The conversation is confidential and without obligation.
To speak with a sexual abuse lawyer at Koffels, call 02 9283 5599 or use the contact form below.
