Direct Personal Responses

This page provides key information for people who are eligible for a Direct Personal Response from the Tasmanian Government as part of the National Redress Scheme.

A direct personal response is an opportunity for you to receive an apology from the institution(s) for the harm you experienced as a child. It can also include a description of what the institution(s) has done to stop abuse from happening to anyone else.

Many victim-survivors have found a direct personal response to be very important in helping them to achieve a sense of healing and to feel like something is being done to help make things right.

What is involved in a Direct Personal Response?

A Direct Personal Response can include:

  • a personal letter of apology,
  • a face-to-face meeting with a senior government official,
  • help to access personal records,
  • an assurance of what the institution is doing to prevent future abuse, and
  • anything else that is meaningful for you and agreed with the institution.

What is a Direct Personal Response letter?

A Direct Personal Response letter is a letter that:

  • acknowledges the abuse you suffered while under the care of the Tasmanian Government,
  • acknowledges the impact the abuse has had on your life, and
  • includes a formal apology.

What is a Direct Personal Response meeting?

A Direct Personal Response meeting is a private, facilitated meeting where you meet with a senior government official and:

  • share your personal story of abuse in a safe environment
  • have the institution accept responsibility for the abuse, acknowledge its impact and provide a genuine apology
  • ask questions and seek personal information from the institution
  • allow the senior government official to listen and to learn from your experience, and
  • request information on what the government is doing to prevent abuse occurring and how they respond when abuse is reported.

The Direct Personal Response meeting will be designed to best meet your preferences and needs. You can tell as much, or as little, of your story as you wish. The senior government official will then acknowledge and respond to your personal story.

Who attends a Direct Personal Response meeting?

Apart from yourself, there are several people that you might choose to attend your Direct Personal Response meeting.

A support person or persons

A support person may be a partner, trusted friend, family member or a counsellor that you nominate to attend the Direct Personal Response meeting with you. You don’t need to have just one and may nominate multiple people to support you at the meeting.

A support person’s role is to provide you with emotional support before, during and after the meeting.

You can also choose to have a professional who is provided by the National Redress Scheme as your support person. There is a list of the available support services on the National Redress Scheme website.

A facilitator

The facilitator will assist you to prepare for the Direct Personal Response and ensure your interests are the focus of the process.

They will guide the discussion on the day and ensure any agreed actions or questions are documented and followed up.

They will also check in with you afterwards.

Your Direct Personal Response contact person

The Direct Personal Response contact person will be your first point of contact and the person you go to with any questions or concerns.

They will talk to you about your expectations for the meeting and make a note of any preferences you may have.

The contact person will make the administrative arrangements for your Direct Personal Response.

A senior government official

The senior government official’s role at the Direct Personal Response meeting is to listen to your story and to respond on behalf of the Tasmanian Government. The response will include an acknowledgement and an apology.

The senior official is selected on the basis of their position and seniority, with other qualities such as sensitivity and specific training also considered.

When selecting the senior official for your meeting, we will take into account any preferences that are important to you, such as gender or cultural background.

What happens at the Direct Personal Response meeting?

Every Direct Personal Response meeting is unique. However, they generally follow these broad steps:

Before the meeting

The Direct Personal Response contact person will be in regular contact with you in the lead up to the meeting. They will discuss with you what you would like to achieve by participating in the meeting.

They will also work with you to plan the location, date, time and attendees for the meeting. Once agreed, we’ll provide the details of the arrangements in writing.

The facilitator will meet with you beforehand to assist you in preparing for the meeting. The facilitator will answer any questions you may have. They will assist you to identify issues and key parts of your story that you want to raise during the Direct Personal Response meeting.

Your expectations for the day will also be discussed.

This preparatory meeting usually takes between one to three hours.

On the day

The facilitator will guide the Direct Personal Response meeting. You may choose to share your story and the impact the abuse has had on your life. The senior government official will then respond to your personal story. The response will include an acknowledgement and an apology for the abuse that occurred.

The meeting will take as long as you need but it usually takes one to three hours. You will be able to take breaks at any time. The senior government official may agree to follow up on certain matters. These are called follow up actions. The meeting itself is the intended outcome.

After the Direct Personal Response Meeting

The facilitator will check in with you at the end of the meeting and again a few days later. The facilitator will ask you about your experience and if you need any further support. The Direct Personal Response contact person will also follow-up with you as needed.

We’ll also give you feedback on the progress of any agreed follow up actions.

A Direct Personal Response can bring up unexpected feelings. It’s important to ensure that you have personal and/or professional support in place to assist you. If you choose to, we can help you and your support person to access professional support in your area.

Where does the Direct Personal Response meeting take place?

The Direct Personal Response contact person will discuss your preferred location for the meeting, and any other needs you may have.

There is dedicated space in the Hobart CBD for Direct Personal Response meetings, but if need be, you can also choose to have the meeting closer to where you live.

We can assist you (and any support persons) with any travel costs and arrangements for the day.

Can I change my mind about having a Direct Personal Response meeting?

Participating in a Direct Personal Response is always your choice.

You can change your mind, slow the process down, or even take a break at any time.

A Direct Personal Response is available up until the end of the Scheme on 30 June 2028.

What do you do with the personal information I provide throughout the Direct Personal Response process?

We respect your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information. We will only share your personal information if you agree or it is permitted by law. We can share your personal information if there is a threat to someone’s health and/or safety. Your personal information is protected under the Personal Information Protection Act 2004.

We are required to provide the National Redress Scheme Operator with de-identified statistical data. This includes the number and types of Direct Personal Responses delivered. You can request a copy of our ‘Privacy and Confidentiality’ policy for more information.

Can I provide feedback?

Your feedback is very important to us. A staff member will contact you by telephone to get your feedback once the Direct Personal Response process is complete. You can choose to give written feedback if you prefer. We’ll also contact your support person.

You are not obliged to provide feedback. Your views will be very helpful in evaluating and improving our process. Your feedback is confidential.

How can I make a complaint?

If you have a negative experience with your Direct Personal Response, please let us know. Your complaint will help us to continually improve what we do.

We encourage you to talk to the person involved to see if the issue can be resolved. Otherwise, you can make a complaint at any stage of your Direct Personal Response via letter, telephone or email to:

  • Director | Child Abuse Royal Commission Response Unit
  • post: GPO Box 825, Hobart Tasmania 7001
  • phone: 03 6165 4802
  • redress@justice.tas.gov.au

If you would like help to provide a written complaint, we will assist you. The complaint will be investigated as soon as possible. This may involve seeking further details from you or the other parties involved in your Direct Personal Response.

You will receive the outcome of the investigation in writing. Your complaint is confidential. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint, you can contact the Tasmanian Ombudsman via:

More information

These fact sheets also provide more information about Direct Personal Responses in under the National Redress Scheme in Tasmania:

If you have any questions or would like to know more, please contact:

  • Redress Manager | Child Abuse Royal Commission Response Unit
  • post: GPO Box 825, Hobart Tasmania 7001
  • phone: 03 6165 4802

Seeking help?

We encourage anyone affected by, or with concerns about, child sexual abuse or other types of child abuse to access advice and support.

National:

  • For domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling and support, contact
    1800RESPECT:
    • Phone: 1800 737 732
  • For short-term support if you are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe, contact Lifeline:
    • Phone: 13 11 14
  • For free professional phone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide living in Australia, contact Suicide Call Back Service:
    • Phone: 1300 659 467
  • For information and support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention for everyone in Australia, contact Beyond Blue:
    • Phone: 1300 224 636
  • For information and support for anyone who is affected by complex trauma, contact
    Blue Knot Foundation:
    • Phone: 1300 657 380
  • For counselling and support for Australian men, contact MensLine Australia:
    • Phone: 1300 789 978
  • For advice for men about family violence, contact Men's Referral Service:
    • Phone: 1300 766 491
    For free 24/7, confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years, contact Kids Helpline:
    • Phone: 1800 55 1800

Tasmania:

  • For information about child wellbeing and safety, contact
    Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line:
    • Phone: 1800 000 123
  • For free and confidential support for people who have been affected by sexual violence, contact the Tasmanian Sexual Assault Support Line (24 hour response state-wide):
    • Phone: 1800 697 877
    This line is run by the Sexual Assault Support Service in the South, and Laurel House in the North West.
  • For information and support for children, young people and adults affected by family violence, contact
    Family Violence Counselling and Support Service:
    • Phone: 1800 608 122
  • For free and confidential support for people impacted by crime, contact
    Victims of Crime Service:
    • Phone: 1300 300 238
  • For support for relationships and to live positive lives, contact
    Relationships Australia Tasmania:
    • Phone: 1300 364 277
Back to: National Redress Scheme Next: Counselling and Psychological Care Services
Last updated: 12 September 2022