Council could face more than 100 civil cases from child abuse victims after time limit scrapped  

More than 100 victims of child sexual abuse could bring civil cases against Lambeth council after the government announced it will scrap a “time bar rule”.

Earlier this month the government announced that it would remove the three-year time limit on child sexual abuse claims.

This means survivors will no longer have to bring cases within three years of turning 18, as long as there is sufficient evidence.

The Shirley Oaks Survivors Association (SOSA), which works with victims who were sexually abused in Lambeth council’s children’s homes between the 1950s and 1980s, has spearheaded a two-year campaign for these reforms.

Founder Dr Raymond Stevenson said: “Lambeth council made it clear that they defend civil cases using the time bar law, leaving many child abuse survivors with no recourse for justice.

“Now, between 100 and 200 people may have a claim.”

SOSA says the change in law is a victory not just for survivors of Lambeth’s former children’s homes like Shirley Oaks, but also for victims of the Melting Pot homes for black children in Brixton.

Andrea Rhoden-Burke was 13 years old when she was sexually abused by members of staff at the Melting Pot care home, where she was placed by Lambeth council.

The 64-year-old, who has waived her anonymity, said: “It was hell. The director and another man would ask the girls to clean their office in Railton Road. But they would sexually abuse us.

“You dreaded when it was your turn. When it was another girl, you would see the fear in their eyes and knew there was nothing you could do.

“I haven’t met anyone from Melting Pot who has recovered.”

At least 80 children were placed in Melting Pot care homes by Lambeth council between 1974 and 1990, according to the  Independent Inquiry for Child Sexual Abuse (IICA). 

But Lambeth council said Melting Pot was not run by the council – and therefore not covered by the Redress Scheme.

Survivors said they had been blocked by the time bar rule from bringing civil claims against the council for its liability.

Now, new evidence seen by the South London Press shows that Lambeth council funded the Melting Pot care homes.

Human rights lawyer Imran Khan KC said: “The Melting Pot residents suffered horrendous abuse and they have not received justice.

“The lifting of the three-year limitation period will give renewed impetus to our client’s cases.”

The Met will also face a civil claim from Marina Narayan, 58, who was abused by a serving police officer as a child in Lambeth’s care.

Detective Sergeant John Hudson, then a member of the Vice Squad, abused Ms Narayan from the age of six, after he and his wife June fostered her as a baby in 1966. 

Ms Narayan, who has waived her anonymity, said: “I’ve never been able to put this behind me. When I close my eyes it’s in my thoughts.”

Ms Narayan reported the abuse to the authorities in 1979, but the allegations were not investigated. 

In 1999, she made another complaint. In 2016, June Entecott – who had remarried – was found guilty of covering up the abuse and sentenced to four years in prison. Hudson died in 2008.

KC Imran Khan filed a legal action for damages on Ms Narayan’s behalf in August 2023, but the claim was denied by the Met on the grounds that the abuse took place too long ago.

Now, Ms Narayan says she has instructed her solicitor to look at bringing a civil case as soon as the changes are made into law. 

She said: “It is a long time coming, but it finally feels that we are being listened to.”

A Met spokesman said the force had been engaged with SOSA regarding the allegations.

He said: “A report sent by SOSA was reviewed and a public complaint recorded. We referred this to the IOPC, who did not find it met the threshold for an independent investigation. We understand what the victims have been through and will continue to respond to any inquiries from their representatives.”

A Lambeth Council spokesman said the local authority “welcomed” the new reforms.

He said: “Lambeth council established the Redress Scheme in 2018 after extensive consultation with survivors and in the absence of a Government scheme to compensate those who tragically experienced abuse. It honours our pledge to face up to the mistakes of the past. A key aspect in setting up the Scheme was that it automatically waived any limitation period defence for those people who enter the Scheme.

“The council has been fully committed to the Redress Scheme throughout because of its importance.

“The Scheme was open from 2018 to 2022 during which time 2,240 survivors made applications. More than £100million in compensation has been paid to applicants.

 “Lambeth council has been calling for a national redress scheme since 2016. We welcomed IICSA’s proposal for a national scheme and we hope the Government will push forward with this recommendation.”

Pictured top: Raymond Stevenson, founder of Shirley Oaks Survivors Association said the law change will have “significant ramifications” for Lambeth council (Picture: Raymond Stevenson)