July 24, 2016
The Queensland Law Society has thrown its support behind an LNP plan to remove the limitation period on child sex abuse claims if elected to government.
On Sunday, Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker said the LNP would seek to introduce the legislation into the Queensland Parliament within the first 100 days of government.
QLS president Bill Potts said the Society had long called for this legislative change to allow victims of sex abuse to have access to justice.
“We are thrilled Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker and Opposition leader Tim Nicholls have announced this policy in Brisbane today,” Mr Potts said.
“The QLS has previously made submissions to the state government that this was the appropriate direction to go. It will allow people who have suffered from institutional child abuse to have access to justice.
“It is not simply about them getting money, but rather acknowledging the life-long pain and suffering of child abuse victims and providing just compensation so they can receive the counselling and help they need as a result of the betrayal suffered in their youth.”
Mr Potts’ comments came after Mr Nicholls said the change would empower child sex abuse survivors to seek the justice they deserve, no matter how long ago the alleged offence occurred.
“The current laws mean child sex abuse survivors have just three years from their 18th birthday to lodge a claim against their alleged perpetrator,” Mr Nicholls said.
“However, many survivors find it too difficult to deal with the trauma involved in seeking justice for their abuse until well into their adulthood, but it is unfair to deny them justice in these circumstances.
“That’s why, if elected, an LNP Government will remove the limitation of claims, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse.”
In May, Mr Potts told ABC radio that denying victims the right to compensation due to time restrictions was “heartless.”
* * *
On Sunday evening the State Government said it would support the removal of the statute of limitation for child sexual abuse claims.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said the Government is working through a number of recommendations to respond to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse, and the removal of the limitation period was one of them.
“The recommendation as proposed applies to both government and non-government entities and so consultation would be important,” Ms D’Ath said.
“As such, the government would welcome bipartisan support from the LNP on the Royal Commission recommendation.”
