Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to provide compensation to survivors of child sexual abuse.

The Government is making reforms to better support victims of child sexual abuse and prioritise their rights, including making it easier for victims to pursue claims in the civil court.

The Government has committed to remove the three-year time limit for victims to bring civil personal injury child sexual abuse claims, so that claims do not need to be brought within three years of turning 18. This change is significant because we know that it can take decades for survivors to disclose sexual abuse. Now, victims can come forward when they feel ready to do so, without fear of having their claims rejected due to the time limit.

Furthermore, the burden of proof that currently rests on victims' shoulders, who must prove it is possible to hold a fair trial for one to go ahead, has been lifted. Now it is up to the defendant to demonstrate that a fair trial cannot proceed if they intend to challenge one. This will enable cases to be heard more easily, and protect victims from having to relive their trauma any more than is necessary.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is part of a package of Government-funded general and specialist support available to victims of crime. It is a Scheme of last resort where eligible victims cannot claim compensation from elsewhere. Victims, including children, who suffer a serious physical or mental injury as a direct result of a violent crime such as physical and sexual abuse, may be able to access compensation under the Scheme. Payments under the Scheme are an expression of public sympathy and are intended to be an acknowledgment of the harm that eligible applicants have experienced.

The Government recognises the specific challenges faced by victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in applying to the Scheme. Given that it takes between 24 and 27 years, on average, for child sexual abuse victims to report their experiences, we understand that this will affect their ability to comply with some of the Scheme's requirements. The Scheme already allows discretion to extend the time limits for applying in exceptional circumstances, and evidence suggests that discretion is being used effectively. In addition, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) has worked to improve its service for compensation applicants, including providing its staff with specific training on the impact of psychological and emotional trauma in sexual abuse cases, and guidance on applying the exceptional circumstances discretion to sexual abuse cases - particularly child sexual abuse.