'Uniform approach' needed to abuse issue

From Sydney-

Anglican leader Archbishop Phillip Aspinall has called on all states to make it easier for child sexual abuse victims to sue churches.

Archbishop Aspinall's call comes in the wake of an independent report commissioned by his church which found it took on average 23 years for a victim of sexual abuse to report their abuse.

All states set a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for abuse victims to bring their cases to court.

In Queensland, this requires a victim to launch legal action by the time they turn 21, but other states take a different approach.

Archbishop Aspinall said it was time for a uniform national approach to the issue, with all states moving at least in line with NSW and Victoria which have the longest period available.

He has written to all Australia's heads of churches asking for their support.

"Given what we've learned about child sexual abuse in the last few years, I think it is a discussion which could well be had nationally to see if we can do better to provide for those people," Archbishop Aspinall said.

"I believe some relaxation in the statute of limitations is warranted.

"Queensland has the strictest regime in Australia, along with the Northern Territory."

More here-

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/uniform-approach-needed-to-abuse-issue-20090619-cnn9.html