UK Scraps Time Limit for Child Abuse Claims in Landmark Reforms

New laws remove barriers for survivors seeking justice and encourage institutional accountability.

The UK government has removed the three-year time limit for survivors of child sexual abuse to file compensation claims, acknowledging the long-term impact of trauma.
Under the new reforms, the burden of proof shifts to defendants, who must demonstrate why a fair trial cannot proceed, easing the path to justice for victims.
Institutions such as schools, care homes, and hospitals can now offer apologies without fear of it being interpreted as an admission of liability, fostering accountability and closure for survivors.
The changes are part of the government's response to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and aim to address systemic barriers to justice for survivors.
Additional measures include mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse by professionals and increased penalties for those who conceal abuse, as part of broader efforts to combat violence against women and children.