Hundreds of victims of child sexual abuse previously restricted from taking civil action can now do so with the passing into law yesterday of the Statute of Limitations (Amendments) Bill.
The new legislation means that victims of sex abuse who have come forward following recent revelations of abuse in orphanages and schools can now seek compensation from the State.
Previously, a victim of sexual abuse had to take legal action within three years of the abuse, or else within three years after they had reached 18 years of age. Under the new law, instead of running from the time of the abuse, the limitation period will start from the time a victim is deemed psychologically able to take steps to pursue a claim.
The Labour party spokesperson on Equality and Law Reform, Ms Jan O'Sullivan, welcomed the passage of the Bill into law yesterday. She said it represented a victory for the hundreds of people who were subject to child sexual abuse during time spent in State-sponsored industrial schools and institutions.
However, Ms O'Sullivan described as disappointing the fact that the Bill did not include victims of physical abuse.