Compensation for Melbourne clergy abuse

COMPENSATION UNDER CATHOLIC CHURCH'S MELBOURNE RESPONSE COULD RISE

WHAT IS THE MELBOURNE RESPONSE?

* Process for dealing with abuse claims within Melbourne archdiocese

* Set up by then Melbourne archbishop Cardinal George Pell in 1996

* Compensation cap set at $50,000 in 1996; $55,000 in 2000; $75,000 in 2008

* Review looks at increasing or removing cap

THE EXTENT OF CHILD SEX ABUSE IN MELBOURNE ARCHDIOCESE

* Claims from 454 people since 1980

* Against 188 people - priests, religious, employees and volunteers

* Church has paid $12.8m in compensation for 316 claims

* $16.8m in total including treatment, legal and other costs

* Average $52,000 per claimant

THE COMPENSATION PAID FOR ABUSE BY PRIESTS

* 335 people abused by 84 priests

* $11.3m paid in compensation for 284 claims

* $12.9m total for 277 Melbourne Response claims - average $46,000

* $1.9m total for seven civil claims where compensation paid - average almost $270,000

WHAT THE ROYAL COMMISSION SAYS ABOUT COMPENSATION:

* National redress scheme needed

* Maximum $200,000, for severest cases

* Average $65,000

* Minimum payment $10,000

Source: Child abuse royal commission; church data on claims received by Melbourne archdiocese between January 1980-February 28, 2015.