Basketball Australia (BA) today signed a letter of intent to join the National Redress Scheme, in a significant commitment to the safety of children and young people who have, are, and will be part of the organisation’s high performance pathway.
The Scheme was created following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which estimated that 60,000 people experienced institutional child sexual abuse in Australia.
BA CEO Jerril Rechter AM said the organisation has taken a position of leadership within the sport on this important matter.
“The decision to register a letter of intent with the Scheme is a strong statement regarding Basketball Australia’s position on the issue of child sexual abuse and the lasting impact abuse has on the lives of victims and those around them.”
Today’s confirmation of intent by BA does not include the state and territory Member Associations. BA continues to engage with the state and territory Member Associations about if and how they may also join the Scheme, which is a matter for each organisation.
The National Redress Scheme, which started on July 1 2018, is set to run for 10 years, providing survivors of child sexual abuse with access to counselling, a redress payment, and/or a direct personal response from the institution for survivors who want it.
The National Redress Scheme provides acknowledgement and support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse. For more information, visit www.nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377.
In the spirit of reconciliation Basketball Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.