Holyrood scraps time limit on survivors of childhood abuse suing for damages
HOLYROOD today scrapped the time limit on survivors of childhood abuse suing for damages.
Holyrood today scrapped the time limit on survivors of childhood abuse suing for damages
MSPs unanimously backed a Scottish Government Bill to remove the current three-year bar on civil claims.
The move allows victims of abuse dating back as far as 1964 to seek compensation for their injuries though the civil courts.
Paying tribute to survivors of abuse she said: "I thank them for their bravery and persistence for bringing to our attention the plight and injustices they have suffered and for not giving up their fight to set these injustices right."
MSPs unanimously backed a Bill to remove the current three-year bar on civil claims
Ms Ewing said the provisions in the Bill are "justified and are proportionate" and should be seen as part of a package of support for victims, including a £13.5 million in-care survivors support fund and the ongoing independent inquiry into the abuse of children in care.
Let us make sure that those who have campaigned so hard and those who have waited so long are not let down for a second time
Ministers estimate around 2,200 survivors will attempt to raise a civil action against a range of institutions, including religious orders, voluntary organisations, councils and boarding schools.
Holyrood's Justice Committee has heard the numbers could be much higher.
But the Bill only sets aside £57,600 to pay for the additional court cases and will not create a central pot of money to pay compensation.
Conservative MSP Oliver Mundell
This will leave local authorities and other public sector bodies to bear the full burden of any financial settlement awarded to survivors.
Conservative MSP Oliver Mundell urged ministers to consider further steps to support survivors.
"I would ask the Government to keep an ever watchful eye on how the changes we are making today will work in practice and how they will be funded," he said.
"Let us make sure that those who have campaigned so hard and those who have waited so long are not let down for a second time."
Labour MSP Claire Baker added: "It is clear from the evidence to the committee that while there are anticipated costs of legal defence and action, there will be more significant costs involved in successful claims.
"We have to recognise that insurance may be available in some cases but that is not always going to be the case."