PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Offences against Children: Civil Proceedings (26 April 2018)

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will bring forward legislation in line with the recommendation of the Interim Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, published on 25 April 2018 to ensure that victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in civil court cases when they are claiming compensation in relation to the abuse they suffered are afforded the same protections as vulnerable witnesses in criminal court cases.

Asked by:
Sarah Champion (Labour)

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse published its Interim Report on 25 April. The Report contains a series of recommendations for specific changes, several of which are directed at Government. This includes recommendation that:

• victims are supported in bringing their civil claims by the Association of British Insurers publishing a list of public liability insurers upon whom claims may be served; the law is changed so that victims are afforded the same protections as in criminal cases when they are claiming compensation

• the Departments of Health and Social Care, Education, the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office work together to establish current levels of expenditure and the effectiveness of that expenditure.

The Government welcomes the Report and is now considering the Inquiry’s recommendations very carefully. We will respond fully in due course.

Answered by:
Dr Phillip Lee (Liberal Democrat)
4 May 2018