On 3 May 2021, the Australian Human Rights Commission released its final report on the Independent Review of Gymnastics Australia.
The review looked into culture and practice at all levels of gymnastics in Australia following the release of the documentary ‘Athlete A’. The documentary caused gymnasts worldwide to come forward on social media with reports of institutional abuse, with many reports coming from former Australian athletes and parents of athletes.
Shockingly, the findings of the report revealed a toxic culture at Gymnastics Australia that enabled serious sexual, physical, and other abuse of young Australian gymnasts for decades across the country.
Law firm Chamberlains is looking into current and historical incidents of institutional abuse in Australia.
The firm is urging victims, witnesses of abuse, or anyone with information about abuse that took place within Gymnastics Australia to come forward.
Many victims are not aware that they could be entitled to compensation, nor that it is possible to lodge a claim against an institution. We hope that by raising awareness among victims of institutional abuse, we can get more to step forth and to share their stories.
Chamberlains have offices in Canberra, Sydney, Perth, and Newcastle where anyone with information on these matters is encouraged to come in to discuss their potential claim.
We are urging witnesses Australia wide to contact us. Our specialists in institutional abuse, Directors Jon May and Alison McNamara are both operating out of our Canberra office, but we can remotely assist clients from anywhere in the nation.
Further Information
To contact a lawyer about your experiences with institutional abuse at Gymnastics Australia, contact Chamberlains Law Firm:
Alison McNamara
- Email: alison.mcnamara@chamberlains.com.au
- Phone: 02 6188 3600
Jon May
- Email: jon.may@chamberlains.com.au
- Phone: 02 6188 3600
If you, or someone you know, is a victim of sexual or physical abuse contact the following services to seek support.
Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au
The Australian Institute of Sport Mental Health Referral Network (MHRN) The MHRN provides support to current and alumni athletes and their families, and current and former staff of the AIS and their families.
- Phone: +61 2 6214 1130 (Monday – Friday 9am-5pm AET)
- Email: mentalhealth@sportaus.gov.au
- www.ais.gov.au/mhrn
Beyond Blue 1800 512 348
Mental wellbeing telephone and online support service.
Eheadspace 1800 650 893
Online and webchat support and counselling for 12-25 year olds, their family and friends.
MensLine
Professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men.
- Phone 1300 78 99 78 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
- MensLine online counselling.
1800Respect
Confidential counselling, information and support for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse via phone or online chat.
- Phone: 1800 737 732 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
- 1800Respect online chat