Child abuse and sexual assault

We handle Common Law damages for people who have been sexually and physically assaulted as children and/or as adults.

Often people repress the memories associated with sexual and physical abuse and assault when it occurred as a child at a school by a teacher or by a family member or friend and ultimately the memories are triggered off when a major event occurs in that persons life subsequently. Notwithstanding the delay in pursuing the claim Courts will allow an action for damages to commence, subject to certain facts.

The law in this area has changed significantly over the years and courts are far more sympathetic to such claims and look to evidence from specialists such as psychiatrists, psychologists to explain the reasons for the delay in pursuing claims which often occurs.

This firm has run many child abuse and sexual assault cases for people, many years after the actual event occurred where clients have repressed memory syndrome or simply have not pursued theirs rights because of the anguish it might cause. We have been very successful in overcoming the time limitation hurdles (usually 3 years) and this has particularly been the case in actions against various public and private schools and institutions where a person may have been the subject of a sexual assault occurring up to 20 years earlier.

We will upon receiving your instructions in this area organise for you to attend upon a highly qualified and professional psychiatrists who will review the factual circumstances of the matter and provide a detailed report on the effect upon your social and work life including graphic details of the changes to your personality and interference with your normal life style directly attributable to such sexual abuse.

All too often people do not pursue their rights because they are afraid about bringing up issues that occurred many years ago. From our experience a person will never really recover from these episodes until they address these issues, receive medical/psychiatric counselling and take the appropriate legal action to redress the injustice that has occurred. We have very sympathetic, understanding lawyers, who are very experienced in this area and will take the time and effort to achieve the best possible result for you. We handle cases against:-

a. The Department of Community Services in all states of Australia
b. Actions against public and private schools where sexual abuse has occurred
c. Religious organizations
d. Professionals who have abused their position of trust such as psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors

Naturally a victim also has recourse to a claim as "A Victim of Crime" – being a V.C.T. claim for criminal injuries. We can direct you how to make such a claim which must normally be brought within 2 years of an act of violence but there are exceptions to this time limit as mentioned above.

Take The Next Step

At Gerard Malouf & Partners we offer a service of the first consultation free to ascertain details of your claim & explain our services that only require payment if the action we undertake on your behalf is successful.