Historic sexual abuse in Australia has left an indelible mark on thousands of survivors, exposing persistent gaps in institutional accountability and the legal system’s ability to deliver justice.
For decades, many victims endured silence or disbelief, with schools, churches, government organisations, and private entities prioritising reputation over children’s safety. The tide began to turn with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which uncovered endemic failures and led to landmark reforms.
O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors represented witnesses in every Royal Commission over the past decade including:
- The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse;
- The Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption; and
- The Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory.
For survivors, civil litigation offers both recognition and redress. Our civil lawyers at O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors champion the rights of those abused within families and institutions. We use contemporary legal tools to secure admissions, apologies, and substantial damages.
Australian civil law allows survivors to file claims against individual perpetrators as well as institutions, regardless of when the abuse occurred, thanks to amendments removing limitation periods in sexual abuse cases. This means an adult survivor, abused decades ago, can still access justice, this was unimaginable a generation ago.
Pursuing these claims is complex. The legal process involves gathering medical and psychological evidence, proving liability on the balance of probabilities, and seeking compensation for pain, suffering, and treatment costs. O’Brien Solicitors regularly represent clients navigating trauma, challenging powerful organisations, and confronting “historic” cultures of silence.
Read our successful Civil Law Case Studies.
Civil lawsuits are not just about money, they empower survivors, force institutional change, and challenge the notion that child abuse can be forgotten. With reforms ongoing, Australia’s legal community continues to advocate for survivor-centred justice, inspired by landmark findings and the courage of survivors themselves.
Recent Case Study
Historical sexual abuse cases are one of our specialities at our Sydney law firm. Recently, we represented our client in a case of sexual abuse where her grandparents were the defendants.
Our client, “Sarah,” was a young woman who pursued civil proceedings against her grandparents after enduring years of sexual and physical abuse while in their care as a child. We represented Sarah in the District Court of New South Wales.
Sarah suffered sexual assaults and batteries by her grandfather, as well as a serious physical assault by her grandmother when she was only 12 years old. Her case illustrates how civil law can respond where profound breaches of trust and authority occur within the family home. Sarah was successful with her claim against her grandparents. She received compensation for the deep psychological injuries, loss of enjoyment of life, and long‑term treatment needs arising from such abuse.
Need a civil lawyer for suing for historic sexual abuse?
If you have suffered historical sexual abuse in Australia, you may be eligible for compensation. We are expert civil lawyers in cases of historic sexual abuse. Contact us today for a confidential consultation and take the first step towards resolution.
Call (02) 9261 4281
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Or enquire online for a confidential consultation.
*We always change details in our case studies to protect client confidentiality.
