The Church of England (C of E) has been true to its word when it committed to implementing a redress scheme to compensate victims of child sex abuse in the church.

The C of E has tabled draft internal legislation to set up the framework of a redress scheme. It will include:

•  Compensation for physical, sexual, mental, emotional, or spiritual abuse by a person who held a post in the church or a person who the victim reasonably believed held a church job
•  The abuse must have arisen due to a close connection between the job and contact with the child
•  A five-year time limit is suggested
•  A report to police or council is not required. There is no need to have achieved a conviction of the abuser
• Interim awards are possible until a final decision is made. Credit must be given where a claimant has received compensation previously through a civil claim (note this means each person having made a civil claim should consider applying to the scheme as damages in the scheme may outstrip civil awards)
• The scheme will pay legal costs.

If you would like to discuss a claim to the new scheme, please contact David Greenwood for confidential advice. Call 0800 138 4700 or email david.greenwood@switalskis.com