AUSTRALIA
ABC News

Updated Sun May 19, 2013

The New South Wales legal aid service has come under fire for its decision not to fund any compensation cases for institutional child sexual abuse.

Legal Aid NSW says it is expecting a large number of compensation applications as a result of the Federal Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

However, it has decided it will not fund the applications, saying they will impact disproportionately on its budget.

It follows the State Government’s recent changes to the Victim’s Compensation Scheme which means most victims of institutional abuse would not be eligible for compensation.

Greens MP David Shoebridge says it is a double blow for victims.