State Ward of South Australia Abuse Claims

Confidential Legal Advice for Survivors of Abuse While in State Care

If you were a State Ward of South Australia and suffered sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, or mistreatment while in government care, foster care, a children's home, youth training centre, detention facility, or other State-controlled placement, you may be entitled to seek compensation.

Moody Law assists survivors of historical child abuse throughout Australia and provides confidential legal advice to former State Wards of South Australia.

What Was a State Ward?

A State Ward (or Ward of the State) was a child placed under the legal guardianship of the South Australian Government through child welfare and protection legislation.

Historically, in South Australia, state wards were managed by the following successive government departments:

• Destitute Board (1849–1886);

• State Children's Council (1886–1927);

• Children's Welfare and Public Relief Department (1927 to 1966);

• Social Welfare Department (1966 to and 1970);

• Department of Social Welfare and Aboriginal Affairs (1970 to 1972);

• Department for Community Welfare (1972 to 1990);

• Department for Family and Community Services (1990 to 1998); and

• Family and Youth Services, Department of Human Services (1998 to 2004).

Over the years, these government departments operated various receiving depots, industrial schools, and reformatories before placing children into foster care or apprenticeships

Children were commonly placed in:

• Government children's homes

• Residential institutions

• Foster care placements

• Training centres

• Youth detention facilities

• Religious and charitable homes operating under State supervision

The State assumed responsibility for the care, protection and welfare of these children.

Abuse in South Australian State Care

Numerous inquiries have examined allegations of abuse involving children who were under the care of the South Australian Government.

The Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry (commonly known as the Mullighan Inquiry) investigated allegations of sexual abuse and criminal conduct involving children in State care. Subsequent investigations and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse identified significant failures by institutions to protect vulnerable children from abuse.

Abuse may have occurred in:

• Children's homes

• Foster care placements

• Detention and training centres

• Youth justice facilities

• Government-run institutions

• Religious and charitable organisations caring for State Wards

You May Still Have Legal Rights

Many survivors believe too much time has passed to pursue a claim.

This is often incorrect.

Changes to Australian law have removed many of the historical barriers that previously prevented survivors from bringing claims for childhood sexual abuse and institutional abuse. South Australian legislation now allows historical abuse claims to proceed in circumstances where they may previously have been barred.

Compensation May Be Available For

Depending upon the circumstances of your case, compensation may be available for:

• Pain and suffering

• Psychological injury

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Depression and anxiety

• Loss of earning capacity

• Past and future economic loss

• Medical and counselling expenses

• Care and assistance needs

• Loss of enjoyment of life

Every claim is assessed individually.

Common South Australian Institutions and Placements

Former State Wards may have spent time in:

• Children's homes

• Government residential facilities

• Foster care placements

• Magill Training Centre

• South Australian Youth Training Centre

• McNally Training Centre

• Religious institutions caring for State children

• Lochiel Park Boys’ Training Centre

• Oodnadatta Children’s Home

This list is not exhaustive.

Contact Moody Law

If you were a State Ward of South Australia and experienced sexual abuse as a result of institutional failure while in care, contact Moody Law for a confidential and obligation-free assessment of your potential claim.