Survivors of child sexual abuse deserve justice, accountability, and fair compensation.
At Koffels Solicitors & Barristers, we are one of Australia’s longest-standing firms acting for survivors of historical institutional child sexual abuse, including abuse that occurred decades ago in:
schools
churches and religious orders
youth detention centres
foster care and state-run homes
sporting clubs
scouting, cadet and youth organisations
boarding facilities and residential institutions
Our focus is on civil compensation claims, not the criminal process.
We act for survivors nationwide.
If you need confidential advice, you can call us on +612 9283 5599 or contact us via the free and confidential call-back request form below:
What We Mean When We Say “Sexual Abuse Lawyer”
The term sexual abuse lawyer is often used broadly.
In practice, different lawyers handle 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, State) failed to protect you
the harm occurred years or decades ago
you are now seeking compensation, recognition, and accountability
What we do not act in
This is important to avoid confusion:
we do not act in workplace sexual harassment or sexual assault
we do not act in domestic or family-related sexual abuse
we do not act in criminal defence or prosecution
we do not run matters that are purely recent adult sexual assault claims with no institutional liability
If your situation falls outside our scope, we will try to guide you to the right service.
Civil Claims vs Criminal Proceedings – What’s the Difference?
Many survivors are unsure whether they need a criminal lawyer or a civil lawyer.
Criminal proceedings
Police investigate the offender
The aim is conviction and punishment
Survivors are witnesses, not parties
It does not provide compensation
Civil claims (what we do)
We pursue the institution responsible
The aim is compensation, accountability, and acknowledgment
The offender does not need to be alive or charged
The standard of proof is lower (balance of probabilities, not beyond reasonable doubt)
Survivors may pursue both, but they are completely separate processes.
Can I Make a Claim Even If the Abuse Happened Decades Ago?
Yes.
All Australian states and territories have now 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 has taken to come forward
no matter your age now
Even if you previously signed a confidentiality agreement or historic settlement, recent reforms in NSW, VIC and QLD now allow some survivors to challenge or overturn unfair deeds.
If you are unsure whether you still have rights, we can advise you.
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
offenders who fled overseas
offenders who were moved between schools or parishes
If the institution exists, or has a successor organisation, a claim can still be brought.
Who Can Make a Civil Claim for Institutional Sexual Abuse?
You may be able to bring a civil claim if:
you were under the care, supervision or authority of the institution
the institution owed a duty to protect you
you suffered sexual abuse, grooming, or serious physical abuse
the abuse caused psychological injury, trauma, or long-term impacts
the institution failed to prevent or respond properly to the wrongdoing
This includes:
students
boarders
altar servers
choir members
youth group participants
foster children
detainees in youth justice centres
members of sports teams, clubs or associations
We can advise you even if you are unsure which institution was responsible.
Types of Institutions Commonly Involved
Based on decades of cases, claims often arise from:
Schools (public and private)
elite private schools
Catholic, Anglican and independent schools
regional schools with historic abuse patterns
Churches and religious orders
Catholic dioceses
Marist, Christian Brothers, Salesians, Patrician Brothers, St John of God
Anglican and other denominations
Youth detention and state care
boys’ homes
remand centres
juvenile justice centres
State-run homes and foster placements
Scouting, sporting and youth organisations
Scouts and Guides
sports clubs and coaching programs
extracurricular youth activities
Koffels has acted in claims across virtually every institutional category in Australia.
What Compensation Can Survivors Receive?
Civil compensation varies, but may include:
Financial damages for:
pain and suffering
psychological injury and trauma
past and future treatment costs
lost earnings or reduced capacity
loss of life opportunities
care needs
out-of-pocket expenses
Non-financial outcomes may include:
a written apology
acknowledgement of wrongdoing
changes to institutional policies
mediation outcomes
restorative justice processes (where appropriate)
Civil claims generally provide higher compensation than the National Redress Scheme.
Civil Claim or National Redress Scheme – What’s the Difference?
National Redress Scheme
capped payments (maximum $150,000)
recognition and apology options
lower evidentiary threshold
cannot later pursue a civil claim for the same abuse
Civil claim
usually significantly higher compensation
no fixed caps
can include damages for economic loss
more personalised outcomes
may take longer but provides greater accountability
We advise survivors honestly on which pathway is best for them.
How We Prove Institutional Negligence
Institutions can be liable when they:
allowed offenders to remain in roles
ignored complaints or warning signs
moved perpetrators to new locations
failed to supervise staff properly
had inadequate child-protection procedures
concealed or minimised reports of abuse
destroyed or withheld documents
breached their duty of care
We obtain evidence through:
school records
employment documents
church or diocesan archives
internal reports
statements from other survivors
police briefs
Royal Commission material
medical and psychological evidence
Institutions can be held liable even when the abuse happened many decades ago.
What to Expect When You Contact Us
We aim to make the process as safe and straightforward as possible.
1. Free, confidential first conversation
You can contact us with only the details you feel comfortable sharing.
2. Trauma-informed process
You will not be asked for graphic detail unless and until it becomes legally necessary.
3. We assess the institution’s liability
Based on our extensive database of institutions, perpetrators, and historical failures.
4. We advise whether a civil claim or redress is appropriate
We are candid about limitations and strengths.
5. No win, no fee
You pay nothing upfront for civil claims.
6. Support throughout the process
We act to minimise re-traumatisation and keep you informed at each stage.
Why Choose Koffels?
Deep experience in historical institutional abuse
One of the few Australian firms with a multi-decade record acting in complex institutional abuse cases.
Extensive knowledge base
Hundreds of published articles about schools, churches, youth homes, and perpetrators — giving us unmatched insight into institutional patterns.
National reach
We represent survivors across Australia, no matter where the abuse occurred.
Trauma-informed approach
We prioritise safety, clarity, and survivor dignity.
Independent and private
We are not part of a corporate chain; every case receives individualised attention.
Contact Us
If you would like confidential advice about a possible claim, please contact us:
Koffels Solicitors & Barristers
Phone: +612 9283 5599
Website: https://koffels.com.au
You don’t need to know whether you have a claim before calling.
We can help you understand your options.
