New reforms on child sexual abuse claims: A turning point for Health, Care, Education, Faith, and Sport sectors

The UK is entering a new era of accountability and justice for survivors of child sexual abuse. Following years of campaigning and the damning findings of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), the Government has introduced sweeping reforms that will reshape how abuse claims—both historical and recent—are handled.

For professionals working in the health and care, education, faith, and sports sectors, these changes demand urgent attention. They will impact safeguarding responsibilities, legal obligations, and the broader duty of care owed to victims and survivors.

Abolishing the limitation period: Justice without a time limit

On 5 February 2025, the Government confirmed one of the most significant reforms is the removal of the three-year limitation period for civil claims related to child sexual abuse. Previously, survivors had to bring legal action within three years of turning 18—a rule that ignored the complex psychological barriers preventing many from speaking out until much later in life.

The new law acknowledges that trauma does not work to a legal timetable. Survivors will now have the right to pursue justice whenever they are ready, without being turned away simply because too much time has passed.

This reform aligns England and Wales with Scotland, which removed its limitation period for child abuse claims in 2017. It is a fundamental shift in survivor rights, opening the door for many who previously had no legal recourse.

Shifting the burden of proof

Beyond abolishing time limits, another crucial legal change is the reversal of the burden of proof in late claims. Under the previous system, survivors had to prove that their case could still be fairly tried, even if the abuse had occurred decades earlier. This was often a major legal hurdle, with many cases dismissed before they could even be heard.

Now, the responsibility falls on defendants (institutions and individuals accused of abuse) to prove that a fair trial is no longer possible. This shift places survivors in a stronger position and ensures that legal technicalities do not stand in the way of justice.

The impact on key sectors

These reforms will have far-reaching consequences for health and care providers, schools, faith organisations, and sports clubs—all of which have historically been linked to institutional abuse cases. Organisations must now reckon with:

• A potential surge in historical claims:   with time limits removed, institutions may face an influx of legal claims from survivors who were previously unable to take action.
• Increased scrutiny of past safeguarding failures: the burden of proving that a fair trial is impossible may lead to deeper investigations into historic abuse allegations.
• The need for enhanced safeguarding measures: organisations must strengthen their policies to prevent future abuse and ensure that survivors who come forward are supported appropriately.
• A shift in legal risk and insurance considerations: institutions will need to assess their exposure to potential claims, review historical records, and consider whether past failings could now lead to legal action.

Mandatory reporting: what’s next?

While these changes to limitation laws are significant, another major reform is on the horizon: mandatory reporting laws for professionals working with children. The government is expected to introduce legislation requiring teachers, healthcare workers, coaches, clergy, and care staff to report suspected child sexual abuse or face criminal penalties.

This will place an even greater duty on institutions to create a culture where abuse is identified and acted upon swiftly—not ignored or covered up.

A call to reflect and act

These reforms demand more than legal compliance—they require a cultural shift in how abuse is recognised, prevented, and addressed. 

As the UK embarks on this transformative journey, the active engagement and commitment of the health and care sectors will be pivotal in ensuring that these reforms lead to meaningful change, offering justice and healing to survivors and safeguarding future generations.