The UK government has taken a significant step by removing the three-year time limit on compensation claims for child rape survivors, allowing many to finally pursue justice against their abusers.

This reform aligns with the recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), which aims to enhance the legal process for survivors.

The IICSA report revealed that many claims are often rejected because survivors may take decades to come forward due to the trauma they have experienced.

Justice Minister Sarah Sackman emphasized that these legal changes empower victims to seek justice at their own pace, recognizing the time required to process their trauma.

Under the new reforms, cases will be permitted to proceed unless defendants can prove that a fair hearing is impossible, such as due to insufficient evidence.

The government is also expected to clarify that institutions can offer apologies without it being interpreted as an admission of liability, which has previously hindered such gestures.

This clarification will make it easier for victims to pursue apologies from institutions, addressing a major barrier to achieving closure.

Lawyers Richard Scorer and Kim Harrison, representing 120 victims, welcomed these reforms as essential updates to an outdated legal framework that fails to account for the enduring impact of trauma.

In addition, the government plans to introduce a mandatory reporting duty for professionals working with children to report instances of sexual abuse, responding to increasing pressure on the issue.

These reforms are anticipated to be included in forthcoming bills that will be presented in Parliament over the next year.

Gabrielle Shaw, chief executive of NAPAC, praised the changes as a pivotal moment for survivors of child sexual abuse, highlighting the urgent need for justice and acknowledgment of their experiences.