A MUM whose life was destroyed by one of Scotland’s most notorious paedophiles says abuse victims are being unfairly barred from claiming compensation.
The woman, who was abused by Edinburgh paedophile Peter Christensen for five years from the age of four, wants the UK Government to follow Scotland’s example and lift the time bar for childhood victims.
Christensen, 66, was jailed in 1995 for 10 years for abusing nine girls and a boy, and died in 2001 just before his release.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority rules state a claim must be made within two years of an incident, or of victims reaching adulthood.
The mum said: “Campaigners told the Scottish Government how difficult it is for childhood abuse victims to come forward and seek justice. They responded by lifting the three-year time bar on making a civil court claim. Why can’t the CICA give the same consideration to victims of childhood abuse?”
Lawyer Cameron Fyfe said: “Victims in these circumstances do feel they are being unfairly excluded.”
MSP Linda Fabiani said she would ask the Scottish and UK Governments to take up the issue.
The CICA said the Government paid out more than £140 million to victims of violent crime in 2016-17, adding: “We are determined to make sure every victim gets the compensation to which they are entitled.”
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