Blog – Sydney Compensation Specialists

The Link Between Childhood Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence in Adult Relationships

Childhood sexual abuse can have profound and long-lasting effects that extend well beyond childhood. For many survivors, the trauma experienced during their formative years can influence emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and perceptions of safety and trust throughout adulthood.Research has shown that individuals who have experienced childhood sexual abuse may be at an increased risk [...]

By Kim Breda|2026-06-23T12:27:06+10:00June 23rd, 2026|Blog, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Setting Aside Previous Settlements

Barclay v Trustees of the Marist Brothers [2024] VCC 1859 Author: Evelynn Wang Facts of the case: Between 1970 and 1974, the Plaintiff, Mr Barclay attended St Colman’s College, Shepparton, which was then operated by the Marist Brothers. In 1971, when he was approximately 14 years old, he was subjected to sexual abuse by John [...]

By Kim Breda|2026-05-01T11:48:30+10:00May 1st, 2026|Blog, Uncategorized|Comments Off

High Court Expands Institutional Liability – AA v Trustees of the Catholic Church for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

Article by Evelynn Wang, paralegal Background Supreme Court In 2024, AA brought proceedings against the Catholic Church (Diocese of Maitland–Newcastle) alleging negligence, breach of a non-delegable duty of care and vicarious liability for sexual assaults said to have been committed by Father Pickin in 1968. Father Pickin was a priest who taught scripture at the [...]

By SydneyCSAdmin|2026-02-23T15:26:21+10:00February 23rd, 2026|Blog, Uncategorized|Comments Off

Largest Award of Damages Relevant to Institutional Abuse (WA)

Dion Barber v State of Western Australia Background In September 2025, the District Court of Western Australia handed down the largest award of damages to a Plaintiff arising from institutional abuse in Western Australia’s history. The damages amounted to $2.846 million and this represented the first successful judgment against the State of Western Australia since [...]

By Kim Breda|2026-01-28T10:39:45+10:00January 28th, 2026|Blog, Uncategorized|Comments Off

Important Legislative Developments in the ACT

Legislative Developments in the ACT: The Civil Law (Wrongs) (Organisational Child Abuse Liability) Amendment Bill 2025 By Walter Zhuang Background Last year in late 2024, the High Court handed down the decision in Bird v DP [2024] (a pseudonym) HCA 41 that severely hindered the prospects of success for survivors of institutional abuse. That decision [...]

By SydneyCSAdmin|2025-11-07T13:06:05+10:00November 7th, 2025|Blog, Uncategorized|Comments Off

Special Provisions for Offenders in Custody when bringing a Personal Injury Claim – By Walter Zhuang

Itani v State of New South Wales [2023] NSWDC 285 By Walter Zhuang Background The Plaintiff in this case was a victim of sexual assault whilst he was incarcerated in 2018. He reported the matter to the police on the same day as the sexual assault, and gave a statement to police two months later. [...]

By SydneyCSAdmin|2025-10-21T08:51:36+10:00October 21st, 2025|Blog, Uncategorized|Comments Off

School Liable for Physical Abuse Perpetrated by a Student Upon Another Student

State of New South Wales v T2 (by his tutor T1) [2025] NSWCA 165 By Walter Zhuang Background The Plaintiff was a 14-year-old boy who was seriously assaulted by another student (XY) shortly after school hours. After learning of the imminent threat at the school bus stop, he tried to re-enter the school to seek [...]

By SydneyCSAdmin|2025-08-13T09:59:14+10:00August 13th, 2025|Blog, Uncategorized|Comments Off

Injuries sustained at school – Stanberg v State of NSW

Primary School Sports Accidents – Stanberg v State of NSW [2025] NSWCA 127 By Walter Zhuang Background The Plaintiff was an 11-year-old boy who partook in a long-jump competition at his primary school. He completed several jumps without incident. However, after the fifth or sixth jump, his feet hit a hard surface in the sandpit [...]

By SydneyCSAdmin|2025-06-17T16:41:07+10:00June 17th, 2025|Blog, Uncategorized|Comments Off

You Are Not Broken: Understanding Complex and Chronic PTSD After Childhood Sexual Abuse

If you have lived through childhood sexual abuse, you know the pain doesn’t end when the abuse stops. For many survivors, the trauma lingers—shaping how you feel, how you relate to others, and how you see yourself. This long-term impact often shows up as something called Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) or chronic PTSD. If you’ve ever [...]

By Kim Breda|2025-05-06T12:41:58+10:00May 6th, 2025|Blog, Uncategorized|Comments Off

Trustees of Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle v AA

Judgment Summary - Supreme Court New South Wales Court of Appeal Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle v AA [2025] NSWCA 72 Bell CJ, Leeming JA, Ball JA In 2024, AA brought proceedings against the Trustees for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle alleging that the Trustees had been negligent, had breached [...]

By Kim Breda|2025-04-15T14:21:29+10:00April 15th, 2025|Blog, Uncategorized|Comments Off