Hostel abuse cases surface

Former boarders at Western Australia's country high school hostels have lodged 106 applications with the Department for Communities for ex gratia payments for alleged abuse.

  • Ex gratia scheme for abused former students at country hostels

  • A total of 106 applications received

  • Payments of up to $45,000 by the end of December 2013.

Former boarders at Western Australia's country high school hostels have lodged 106 applications with the Department for Communities for ex gratia payments for alleged abuse.

Community Services Minister Tony Simpson praised the courage of the former boarders for speaking up.

"I appreciate this has been a difficult experience for applicants. So I commend their courage in coming forward so we can address any ills of the past," Mr Simpson said.

The Minister said the Country High Schools Hostels Ex Gratia Scheme, which closed on May 31, offered applicants an opportunity for acknowledgement of the abuse they suffered and provided an ex gratia payment of up to $45,000 to assist with the healing process.

Mr Simpson said department officers would now contact applicants by telephone to collect extra information to support their application.

All payments are expected to be made by the end of December 2013. A counselling hotline continues to operate on 1800 227 792.

In September 2012, the Premier announced the State Government would establish an ex gratia payment scheme for boarders who were abused at any hostel run by the Country High School Hostels Authority between 1960 and 2006.

The scheme covers 28 hostels in 12 regional towns - Albany, Bunbury, Carnarvon, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Katanning, Merredin, Moora, Narrogin, Northam, and Port Hedland.

It was established in response to the St Andrew's Hostel Special Inquiry report 'How the system and society failed our children' by former Supreme Court Judge Peter Blaxell.  He examined the conduct and response of relevant public officials and government agencies in relation to allegations of sexual abuse at St Andrew's Hostel in Katanning, and related organisations.

        Fact File

  • Scheme closed 5pm May 31, 2013

  • Counselling hotline available at 1800 227 792

Minister's office - 6552 6600