Palaszczuk Government ensures greater justice for child sex abuse victims

Published Tuesday, 08 November, 2016 at 08:57 PM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills
The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

The Palaszczuk Government has tonight implemented key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sex Abuse, by removing the legal limit that can hamper the ability of victims to make claims for damages.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said removing the statute of limitations for child sex abuse was an important step towards addressing decades of injustice and indifference shown to victims.

“The statute of limitations created a small window that became the only chance for victims to lodge claims on reaching adulthood,” said Mrs D’Ath.

“It meant people who may have suffered abuse years earlier had just three years after turning 18 to lodge claims.

“As the despairing evidence given to the Royal Commission repeatedly demonstrated, the appalling effect of child sex abuse means victims are often decades into adult life before they are even able to report their experiences.

“Removing the limitation period lifts a barrier that was patently unfair.”

The bill as amended also applies to victims on non-institutional abuse.

Mrs D’Ath said the laws passed tonight are part of a wider process to address the injustices done to victims over many years.

“We will continue to work with stakeholders on the issues in the discussion paper released by the Premier, and importantly will liaise with other state governments and the Commonwealth on developing a future redress scheme.

“I thank all stakeholders, the Opposition, and other MPs for their support of this bill, and look forward to working with them towards further reform.”

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