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Direct Personal Response (DPR)

A DPR can play an important role in helping people who have suffered institutional child sexual abuse achieve a sense of justice and healing following their abuse.

If someone accepts an offer for redress and the responsible institution is a NSW government institution, they or their support person(s) should contact Victims Services Redress Team which will work with them in preparing the DPR.  

How to access a Direct Personal Response?

If someone has accepted an offer for redress and wishes to start the DPR process, they should contact Victims Services Redress Team on 1800 993 031 or email on vsredress@justice.nsw.gov.au

The Victims Services Redress Team will provide information and be a point of contact throughout the process.

Note this only applies to DPR where the responsible institution(s) is a NSW government institution. If a non-government institution (NGI) was responsible for the abuse, the Scheme will communicate to the survivor the relevant contact details for the NGI.

What is a Direct Personal Response?

A DPR is an opportunity for someone who has suffered institutional child sexual abuse to engage with the institution responsible for the abuse to share their experience, to the extent they wish to do so, and have the institution hear, recognise and acknowledge their story. The DPR process involves:

  • an opportunity for survivors to speak to their experiences, to be heard, understood and believed

  • an opportunity for acknowledgement of abuse and its impacts

  • an opportunity for accountability and expression of genuine apology

  • the provision of a clear account of the steps the institution has taken to prevent such abuse occurring again.

It also offers an opportunity for the institution to discuss what steps they have taken and/or will take to prevent similar abuse occurring again.

The survivor will be able to indicate their preference in relation to the DPR process, which can include:

  • face-to-face meeting
  • written letter from the institution
  • other arrangements depending on circumstances.

The survivor will be able to discuss how they want to engage in the DPR process when they contact the Victims Services Redress Team on 1800 993 031.

Further information

If you would like to know more or would like talk to someone about a DPR, please contact Victims Services Redress Team on 1800 993 031.