// 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.

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

 

  • 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 becauseyour 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.

Angela Sdrinis Legal pursues all matters on a strictly no win/ no fee basis* and 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.

 

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.