While the Special Commission of Inquiry into clergy abuse in the Hunter have begun public hearings, the State Government have revealed controversial changes to its victim support scheme.
This new reform requires child abuse victims to lodge claims within a decade after they turn 18.
Executive Director of The Victim Support Unit at VOCAL, Robyn Cotterell-Jones, says
she does hold some concerns for victims regarding this new reform.
'So many people are not ready to talk about their experience at that age, or by that age, as well as being aware that what happened to them was called a crime and therefore they may be entitled to compensation.'Studies show the average delay in reporting abuse is 23 years.
