[Greens-Media] Child sexual abuse victims hit doubly hard by legal aid cuts

[Mark Riboldi]

Child sexual abuse victims hit doubly hard by legal aid cuts
Media release - 20 May 2013

Victims of child sexual abuse are being hit doubly hard by the O'Farrell government with proposed cuts to victims compensation being followed by the complete removal of all legal aid entitlements for civil claims by victims of child sexual abuse against either the Church or the State government.

As reported by the ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-19/nsw-legal-aid-refuses-to-fund-sex-abuse-claims/4698484
Legal Aid's Statement: http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/16325/2013-No-2-13-Civil-Law-Policies-Available-Funds.pdf

Greens MP and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:

"Legal Aid have said that with the Federal Royal Commission into child abuse starting they anticipate receiving a large number of victims of institutional child abuse to come forward and seek damages.

"Astoundingly Legal Aid has decided that because there will be a large number of survivors of abuse seeking justice, for this reason they will be denying every one of them legal aid.

"This is a terrible betrayal of victims of abuse.

"Cutting Legal Aid support for victims of abuse will only assist the powerful institutions that abused children in the past.

"This is a gift for the Catholic Church and those state authorities that failed to protect children in the first place.

"As more survivors come forward, many living in poverty due to the ongoing impact of their abuse, Legal Aid should be directing more funds to support them, not less.

"The Premier has said he is concerned about the legacy of child abuse but with his proposed savage cuts to victims compensation and the complete denial of Legal Aid his government has shown that their concern is only paper thin.

"Survivors of abuse deserve more from their government than hollow words.

"Decency demands that the Government immediately reverse these cuts against some of the most vulnerable members of our community," Mr Shoebridge said.

Media Contact: 9230 3030 / 0433 753 376