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// Services

Sexual & Institutional Abuse

Angela Sdrinis has acted for survivors of institutional and sexual abuse for over 25 years.  

Claimants seeking compensation for historical abuse face several legal and other barriers. Historical abuse claims are complex so if you have been a victim of childhood abuse, it is important that you seek legal advice from an expert in the area. Angela Sdrinis is one of the most experienced practitioners in the area of Sexual and Institutional Abuse in Australia and internationally.

Significant awards of damages have been awarded by the courts to compensate historical abuse survivors. It is therefore important that you obtain experienced legal advice prior to entering into any financial settlement and/or agreement regarding any historical abuse.

Due to our vast experience, our team at Angela Sdrinis Legal is readily able to advise on prospects of success in new claims after a free, confidential consultation. More detailed advice can be provided following further documentary investigations.

Many victims of abuse will never have previously disclosed their abuse to another person. At Angela Sdrinis Legal, we are experienced in helping you share your story in a safe and confidential environment.

Angela Sdrinis Legal pursues all matters on a strictly no win/no fee basis*. This means that you are not required to contribute to or pay for any costs or disbursements (out of pocket) expenses associated with investigating and/or pursuing your claim. This means that if you do not get a successful result, there is no charge.

*Conditions apply

 

  • Angela and our team have successfully pursued claims against dozens of institutions including the following:

    Salvation Army-Bayswater Boys’ Homes (1,2 & 3), Box Hill Boy’s Home, Camberwell Girl’s Home, East Kew Girl’s Home, Lyndon Lodge, Cardinia and Jacana, the Harbour, Gill Memorial Home, Barrington, Indooroopilly, Hollywood

    Parkerville

    Ballarat Orphanage (CAFS)

    Burwood Boys Home

    Christian Brothers Orphanages-St Vincent De Paul and St Augustine Boys’ Homes

    Christian Bros Schools

    Cottage by the Sea

    Franciscan Friars-Morning Star

    Sisters of Mercy-St Vincent De Paul Girl’s Home

    Sisters of Nazareth-Nazareth House

    Sisters of St Joseph-St Joseph’s Children’s Home

    Good Shepherd Sisters-Abbotsford Convent

    Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Church-Providence Children’s Home

    Lutheran Church-Lutheran Peace Memorial Home

    Uniting Church-Orana, Kilmany, Tally Ho and Dhurringile, Harrison House,

    Geelong and Western District Orphanage

    Anglican Church-St Paul’s, Andrew Kerr Memorial Home, the Mission of St James and St John, St Cuthbert’s, St Luke’s, Unit 64 and Blackburn Cottages

    Anglican Church – Church of England Boys Society (CEBS)

    Melbourne Orphanage

    Glastonbury

    Burwood Boy’s Home

    Menzies Children’s Home

    Sutherland Children’s Home

    Gordon Homes

    Northcote Farm Training School

    Victorian Government – Turana/Royal Park, Baltara, Winlaton, Pirra, Miralee, Pleasant Creek, Sandhurst Training School, Hillside, Allambie, Ballarat Reception Centre, Ashendene, Miralee, Pirra, Sunshine Boys Hostel, Sutton Grange

    • Berry Street

    • OzChild

    • Department of Defence-Balcombe Army Apprentice School, HMAS Leeuwin, Butterworth, Cadets

    • Child Migrants

    • Department of Education cases

    • Private Schools including Geelong Grammar School, Preshil, Wesley, Geelong College, Ballarat Grammar

    • Sutherland Children’s Home

    • Legacy-Blamey House and Harelands

    • Langi Kal Kal

    • Lisa Lodge

    • Malmsbury

    • Pentridge

    • Antonian Children’s Home

    • Seventh Day Adventists

    • Marillac House (Daughters of Charity)

    • Nazareth House

    • Northcote Farm

    • Melbourne City Mission

    • Menzies

    • South Eastern Christian Centre

    • Resurrection House (Resurrection Sisters)

    • St Anthony’s

    • St Aidan’s

    • St John of God

    • St Joseph’s

    • Sandhurst Boys Home

    • Swan House

    • Swinborn Lodge

    • Travencor

    • Victorian School for the Deaf

    Tasmanian claims

    • Tasmanian Govt,

    • Sunshine Home

    • Maylands, Barrington

    • Ashley

    • Wybra Hall

    • Kennerley Boys Home

    • Seamen’s Mission

    • Hutchins School,

    • CEBS,

    • Department of Education

    Other organisations

    • Scouts

    • Sporting Clubs

    • Entertainment industry

    • Individual Clerics/Volunteers/Lay workers including Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Baptists, Anglicans, Lutherans, Uniting Church and its predecessors, Mormons etc

Pursuing your claim

It can be a difficult decision to seek advice about childhood abuse. Childhood abuse usually leaves victims feeling powerless and ashamed. Often a survivor of child abuse will have spent decades trying to forget what happened whilst at the same time, the legal process requires that you provide as much detail of your abuse and the surrounding circumstances as possible. Talking about events that you have tried very hard to forget can mean that coming forward can be extremely traumatic.

Many victims of abuse will never have previously disclosed to another person. At Angela Sdrinis Legal we are experienced in helping you share your story in a safe and confidential environment.

Following an initial consultation, we can provide you with advice about your options with respect to your potential claim for compensation.

We will provide you more detailed advice once we have completed initial investigations into your claim, such as the obtaining of institutional records (ie ward file or school records). Once all of this material has been collected, we are able to give you specific advice regarding the type of claims that are open to you including out of court negotiations and settlements, or the issuing of legal proceedings in court including damages claims, VOCAT and Sentencing Act Applications. We can also assist you by referring you to a number of support groups.

It is important that if you have been a victim of abuse, you report the crime to the police. If you have been abused by an individual, you should contact the Sexual Offences Child Investigation Team (SOCIT) police units.

Even if you do not wish to proceed with a formal complaint or if your perpetrator is dead, the police are still keen to hear from you because your allegations may provide important background material which may assist police in ultimately bringing a perpetrator, or someone who shielded them, to justice. Further a successful conviction may assist in your potential claim for compensation.

 

Links

Testimonials

Testimonials

“Angela, thank you so much for the extensive work you and your team have done to help us achieve justice.  There have been many obstacles put in our path but you were the one that was able to get the government to finally acknowledge that we deserve compensation for the loss of our babies, taken by force.   

I never thought this day would come. A few mothers have been fighting for many years but we had no power. Your efforts in securing the support of the opposition made it impossible for the government to continue to ignore us and hope we would just go away and die.

The words “thank you” are not big enough to express what I feel.  The apology by the liberals were just  hollow words.  Words said to appease us.  Words said to end the matter.  13 years later the government is finally being held accountable for the trauma inflicted upon us.  My story matters and I am believed.”

-Michelle (a pseudonym), Institutional Abuse client

“I am very thankful for the offer I have received and I want you to know that I am very much thankful for such an offer, you have no idea how much this claim will finally help me change my life, my lifestyle I’ve lived for such a long period of time, I now have a chance at a normal life.  Being financially stable is one thing I have never had in my whole teenage and adult life. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing not only in me but in all class action settlement members. The fight you took to the State would have to be one of the best things you have done not only for the group members but for Tasmania. I believe we would not have been as successful if we had another legal team to take on the case. Thank you for a truly awesome effort.”

-Andrew (a pseudonym), Institutional Abuse client

“Words cannot fully express how I feel, but thank you so much, Phoebe, and everyone else, for not giving up on me and standing by my side until the very end.”

- Mary (a pseudonym), Institutional Abuse client

“Although wounds do leave scars, upon reflection, the settlement of my claim has brought me significant closure and validation…I felt that I owe you some feedback, and to let you know that the work you do is so very important and truly life changing for the people who need the most help.”

- Jack (a pseudonym), institutional abuse client

“Thank you so very much for giving me my true life back. I had completely forgotten what it was like to be free of all those nasty memories and to be made at peace for the future by you all. There will always be a special part in my heart for all the kindness, trust and understanding that you have found in me. A very special and peaceful gift that you have all given to me after a lifetime of sadness and shame.”

- Alan (a pseudonym), institutional abuse client

“The result was more than I ever expected. The entire legal process went very well. The work is a great service, and the process was cathartic. I believe and can move on from here.”

- Mark (a pseudonym), institutional abuse client

“Thanks so much Angela. This wouldn't have happened without your help. Your staff’s work has had a life changing effect. You deserve credit for all your achievements.”

- Catherine (a pseudonym), institutional abuse client

“I would like to thank your firm and especially Nina, for helping me regarding my settlement. My hat off to you and your firm for specializing in this area. I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to recommend your firm. Thank-you for all your help over the couple of years.”

- Raylene (a pseudonym), institutional abuse client

“I want to thank you for believing in me, it meant so much to me.”

- Jane (a pseudonym), institutional abuse client

“Many thanks for your all your assistance. I know that I was difficult at times - it has a very long and hard road, and bringing up the sad past has not been easy.”

- Jennifer (a pseudonym), institutional abuse client

“The process, whilst difficult at times, has certainly been helpful in processing and moving on from the trauma. I am deeply appreciative of the way you have worked with me: Your compassion and understanding, how you have always taken the time to talk me through the complexities…”

- Ella (a pseudonym), institutional abuse client

“I was very moved by your personal support; it got me through a very difficult time. Now I'm able to enjoy my life again. Never too late. This is my testimony, Angela Sdrinis Legal is a powerful group of women.”

- Kate (a pseudonym), institutional abuse client

“Thank you Allanna. I'm going to miss our talks. You and Kiara have done wonders with my case. And thank you to Scott for letting me vent and listen when I cried and just wanted to give up. An era has come to an end.”

- Emily (a pseudonym), institutional abuse client

“From when I first contacted the team at Angela Sdrinis Legal, through to the successful resolution of my claim, I have not been able to fault the firm in any way. I was always treated with courtesy and respect. Their expertise, professionalism and communication were always outstanding.”

- Amy (a pseudonym), institutional abuse client

Ready to Seek Justice? Let Us Help.

 

If you’ve been a victim of sexual or institutional abuse, Angela Sdrinis Legal is here to support you. We provide expert, confidential advice in a safe environment, guiding you through every step of your claim. Contact us today for a free consultation, available in person, by phone, or via Skype. Your voice matters, and we’re here to help you seek justice.

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