- Churches seek to remove sex abuse limits
- The Age
- 17/01/2009 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: The Rooster ( 258 articles in 2009 )
A multi-denominational push is on by Australian church leaders to abolish the time limit on when child sex victims can sue for compensation for institutional abuse.
The secret lobbying is lead by Anglican leader Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, The Weekend Australia reports, who is pressuring the Queensland state government to make the changes.
It is hoped this would then set an nationwide precedent to alter the law, which normally require a victim launches legal action by the time they turn 21.
The newspaper said the Queensland government has so far resisted the push amid fears it would prompt a flurry of compensation claims from victims.
But, Dr Aspinall, the primate of Australia's Anglican church, said the limitations were inequitable.
"The rights of child sexual abuse victims should not be undermined because they have not brought their case forward in a given time," he told The Australian.
He said he has spoken with the heads of other churches and he believes he has their support to seek the changes.
© 2009 AAP
The secret lobbying is lead by Anglican leader Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, The Weekend Australia reports, who is pressuring the Queensland state government to make the changes.
It is hoped this would then set an nationwide precedent to alter the law, which normally require a victim launches legal action by the time they turn 21.
The newspaper said the Queensland government has so far resisted the push amid fears it would prompt a flurry of compensation claims from victims.
But, Dr Aspinall, the primate of Australia's Anglican church, said the limitations were inequitable.
"The rights of child sexual abuse victims should not be undermined because they have not brought their case forward in a given time," he told The Australian.
He said he has spoken with the heads of other churches and he believes he has their support to seek the changes.
© 2009 AAP
Source: https://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/churches-seek-to-remove-sex-abuse-limits-20090117-7jbn.html
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