Ashley Youth Detention Centre subject of a quarter of redress claims

The centre, formerly known as Ashley Home for Boys, had been the subject of 137 of the 568 claims received under the scheme.

It was one of over 80 institutions in Tasmania listed as having signed up to the scheme.

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The figures were released by the state government and came after a landmark statement of claim was lodged in the Tasmanian Supreme Court in which the Tasmanian Government was the defendant.

The writ was lodged by Victorian law firm Arnold Thomas & Becker on behalf of a man claiming he was physically and sexually abused at Ashley Youth Detention Centre on multiple occasions over a five year period.

Tasmanian children's advocate and president of People Protecting Children Allison Ritchie said despite the significant number of claims against the centre it was likely they did not paint the full picture.

"I've spoken to many people who I don't believe have actually put in claims of any sort," she said.

"All this shows is the number of people who have been prepared to come forward and it's encouraging, but we know an overwhelming amount of abuse goes unreported."

Ms Ritchie said it was positive to see claims coming out of the redress scheme and that change was being forced upon agencies.

"I could never understand why governments weren't falling over themselves to improve systems to protect vulnerable children and, while I think it is improving, you always have to be vigilant to make sure the improved standards are maintained," she said.

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"[The latest case out of Ashley} is a terse reminder that we need to make sure policies are being properly and appropriately implemented."

Survivor and Beyond Abuse spokesperson Steve Fisher agreed the figures were "alarming" and believed the full extent of abuse in Tasmania would not be known until the state government's Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings was finalised.

Mr Fisher said the fact the man was able to pursue individual litigation against the Tasmanian government in the most recent claims to be levelled at the detention centre was encouraging.

"Twenty years ago we had no option except to accept whatever the institution decided to pay, but now the power is in the hands of the victim," he said.

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