Victims of child abuse in Victoria will be able to seek civil damages regardless of when the abuse occurred under new laws to remove complex time limitations.

The new laws will mean victims who suffered child abuse decades ago will be able to seek civil damages from those responsible for the abuse, including an organisation. Attorney-General Martin Pakula will introduce the laws to the Victorian parliament this week, which will apply retrospectively.

Under the law child abuse is defined as sexual abuse, physical abuse or psychological abuse that arises from sexual or physical abuse.

The Betrayal of Trust report, by the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and other non-government organisations, found that time limitations were a major hurdle for victims seeking to litigate against organisations.

Civil litigation, the inquiry found, was important for victims, who saw the action "not only as an avenue to seek compensation, but also as form of acknowledgement and accountability for the harm they have suffered."