Child sexual abuse lawyers welcome removal of three-year time limit for compensation claims

A very welcome change to the legal landscape for survivors of child sexual abuse has been announced today with the removal of the three-year time limit for compensation claims. 

The three-year time limit has always been a major and frustrating barrier for survivors attempting to seek justice, and for many years, lawyers and survivors have been campaigning to remove this hurdle. 

The limit has always been completely inappropriate for child abuse survivors who often struggle to deal with reporting their experiences and talking to professionals. 

Announcement means there will be no time limit to bring a legal claim

I’m very grateful to see the unique and complex nature of these cases recognised in today’s announcement by the Ministry of Justice. The MoJ said the decision was in response to recommendations in the 2022 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), led by Prof Alexis Jay.

Survivors will welcome the fact that the legal process is open to them and they can seek justice no matter how much time has passed. 

Specialist lawyers supporting child abuse survivors

Pursuing a legal case can often help survivors to process their experiences and provide closure. It's a very important way of holding perpetrators to account and it's absolutely proper that the legal route shouldn't be shut off to survivors who may in the past have struggled to disclose their experiences or talk to professionals, often until many years later. 

Nothing can ever make up for such harrowing abuse but legal action can not only secure justice for survivors but also help them access specialist support they require to try and come to terms with their ordeal the best they can. 

While abuse may be historic, through my work supporting survivors, I often see first-hand how the effects continue to live with them. Such abuse can affect education and careers, leading to reduced life chances or loss of earnings. A legal claim can also help recompense for this.   

Help available

However, it's still important to seek help and advice as soon as possible and there remain several other legal hurdles to overcome for survivors but my team and I understand the complexities and are here to help and guide survivors through every step of the process, including the new time limit rules. 

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting survivors of child abuse at our dedicated child abuse compensation claims section.