The Government has declined to take immediate action on a clear recommendation to lift the limitation time bar for abuse cases, in a move APIL has branded “unacceptable”.

After a seven month wait, the Government responded to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) final report on Monday (22 May). The Government said it will “publish a consultation paper exploring options on how the existing judicial guidance on child sexual abuse cases could be strengthened, as well as setting out options for the reform of limitation law in child sexual abuse cases.”

“Further consultation on lifting the limitation period for survivors of childhood sexual abuse is completely unnecessary,” said APIL executive committee member Kim Harrison, who gave oral evidence to the inquiry on the association’s behalf.

“The Inquiry was very clear in its recommendation that the Government should abolish this time bar for survivors who are trying to bring legal claims against their abusers.”

Ahead of the statement to the House of Commons, it was widely reported that Home Secretary Suella Braverman would announce a redress scheme for abuse survivors. In the event, she said that the Government ‘accepts’ the IICSA’s recommendation for a scheme and “will engage widely and listen carefully to victims and survivors as we consider how best to design this scheme”.

APIL says that a scheme would be a valuable alternative option for people who find the civil litigation process too traumatic.

“But a scheme is only of value if it provides full and fair redress, acknowledges survivors’ suffering, and makes a significant difference to their lives,” said Kim.

“A meaningful and comprehensive consultation on what the scheme would look like is essential, and it must heed what survivors of abuse and their representatives have to say.”

Read coverage on this week’s announcement, including further comment from Kim, on the Law Society Gazette website.  

*** Bank holiday opening hours ***

The APIL office will be closed on Monday 29 May for the bank holiday.

Normal business will resume on Tuesday 30 May.

An MP has called for a parliamentary debate on support for people with asbestos-related diseases, following a meeting with APIL earlier this week.

In questions to the Leader of the House of Commons today (Thursday 25 May) Martin Docherty-Hughes, the Scottish National Party MP for West Dunbartonshire, asked for a debate to ensure that people with diseases such as asbestos-related lung cancer can receive compensation.

The leader of the house, Penny Mordaunt, did not commit to a debate, but said she would write on Mr Docherty-Hughes’ behalf to the Department for Work and Pensions.

APIL met with Martin Docherty-Hughes on Tuesday (23 May) to discuss a new campaign the association has launched in partnership with the Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum (AVSGF) to ensure suffers of asbestos-related lung cancer receive full compensation.

Currently, sufferers of asbestos-related lung cancer can only receive full compensation if all former employers can be traced, which is not always possible, leaving some sufferers under-compensated.

APIL and AVSGF are calling for a reform to the law to make asbestos-related lung cancer an ‘indivisible’ disease, which means that if one liable employer can be found, that employer or, more usually the insurer, would pay full compensation.

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APIL’s Injury Awareness Week is just one month away, starting on 26 June.

Members are asked to mark their diaries and tell the relevant social media or public relations staff at their firms that Injury Awareness Week 2023 is just around the corner. 

Support from members and their firms during Injury Awareness Week is essential for building public support and awareness of victims of negligence.

This year, APIL has commissioned some exclusive research with YouGov about the scale of needless injuries in the UK. Watch this space!

Members are urged to watch out for lots of content on APIL’s Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram accounts that they can then reshare. Members can also get involved by posting their own content, but remember to use the hashtag #IAWeek2023.

Work is also underway with parliamentarians up and down the country to spread the message.

Victoria’s Story, a short film for APIL’s Rebuilding Shattered Lives campaign, has reached nearly half a million people on social media.

The short film shows how the life of APIL executive committee member Victoria Lebrec was shattered following an injury, and how the law helped her get her life back on track.

Early research shows that Victoria’s Story resonates strongly with the public, having a positive impact on their view of personal injury. This, of course, is the aim of the campaign.

We’re really grateful to all the members who are already helping to share Victoria’s Story. It’s really easy for you to join them and spread the word. Download the short film from Vimeo, and share it on your website or social media, or share it from APIL’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

For more information, including a Rebuilding Shattered Lives banner for your website and accompanying copy, email [email protected].

The Rebuilding Shattered Lives campaign aims to put victims of negligence at the heart of the law and policy making. Members can also read the latest blog from Mike Benner, APIL chief executive on how victims of negligence rely on the law, and how their access to justice must not be eroded here.