In this guide, we’ll be exploring when you could be eligible to receive sexual abuse compensation after suffering harm as a result of sexual abuse. We will look at the different methods that are available to those who are interested in pursuing criminal injury compensation, in particular the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Sexual abuse compensation guide
You might be wondering how much compensation you could be owed. We will look at potential CICA payments and what they can cover. Furthermore, we will look at how a No WIn No Fee solicitor could help you in a compensation claim,
If you would like to discuss your circumstances further with our team of advisors, then you can do so by using the contact details provided below. In just one call you can get an understanding of whether you have a valid claim. If you do, you could be connected with a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel.
Contact us by:
- Calling us on 0161 696 9685
- Using our Live Support feature available on our website to talk with one of our advisors
- Entering your details into the contact us section of our website
Choose A Section
- When Can You Claim For Sexual Abuse Compensation?
- What Is Sexual Abuse?
- What Amount Of Sexual Abuse Compensation Could You Recieve Through The CICA?
- Requirements For Making A CICA Claim
- Use Our Panel Of No Win No Fee Solicitors To Claim Sexual Abuse Compensation
- Learn More About Claiming CICA Compensation
When Can You Claim For Sexual Abuse Compensation?
You may be able to claim sexual abuse compensation through the CICA. The CICA can award compensation to people who have been mentally or physically injured because they were a victim of a violent crime. As such, they have compensation tariffs for criminal injuries; if your claim is a success, then you could be awarded compensation in accordance with these.
A crime of violence is defined by the CICA and can include violent attacks and sexual assault. In order to claim criminal injury compensation for sexual assault through the CICA, you’ll have to report the incident to the police.
You could claim against a vicariously liable party that was responsible for you sustaining abuse through their negligence; for example, this could include a religious institution or a school that failed to adhere to their duty of care towards you. If the perpetrator has been identified, and they have the funds to pay you compensation, then you could make a claim against them directly.
If you would like to know whether you are eligible to claim compensation, speak with a member of our team today. They can give you an assessment of whether your claim could be valid.
What Is Sexual Abuse?
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) provides a definition for various kinds of sexual offences, including sexual assault, rape and assault by penetration. As well as this, they define child sexual abuse as an incident where a child is forced or coerced into sexual contact. A child is defined as any person under the age of 18.
A child who is being abused may not realise that anything is wrong. There does not necessarily need to be a level of violence in order for a sexual offence to have taken place.
Sexual abuse or assault can be perpetrated by a stranger, or by someone a victim of sexual abuse knows such as someone in a position of authority or a family member such as a grandparent. Since the same-roof rule was repealed by the CICA, there are no restrictions on making a criminal injury claim based on your relationship with the perpetrator.
What Is The Time Limit When Making A Sexual Abuse Claim?
When making a claim to receive sexual abuse compensation, it’s important that you adhere to the relevant time limits. You should report the incident to the police as soon as reasonably possible. Once it has been reported, you will have two years from this date to begin your claim.
If exceptional circumstances apply that prevented you from immediately reporting the incident, then you could still be entitled to claim. Similarly, if you were able to report the incident right away, but extenuating circumstances stopped you from being able to make a claim within two years, then an exception could be made in relation to the 2-year time limit. This could enable you to claim for historical abuse.
If you have further questions in regard to the time limits that you’ll have to abide by when attempting to receive sexual abuse compensation, then you can get in touch with our advisors to learn more.
What Amount Of Sexual Abuse Compensation Could You Recieve Through The CICA?
On receiving sexual abuse compensation, the overall compensation that you receive could be made up of two heads of claim. You could receive payment for any injuries that are sustained, including physical and mental injuries.
This is valued in accordance with the tariff of injuries that is outlined in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. If you are claiming for multiple injuries through the tariff:
- 100% of the tariff amount will be awarded for the injury that is worth the most in the tariff
- 30% for the second most highly valued or equally valued injury
- 15% for the third most highly valued or equally valued injury
It’s important to note that you are unable to claim for more than 3 injuries from the main tariff.
| Type of abuse | Guidance Notes | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Non-consensual penile penetration of one or more of anus, vagina or mouth | Resulting in severe internal injury with a disabling moderate mental illness. | £33,000 |
| Resulting in moderate permanent disabling mental illness. | £27,000 | |
| With serious internal injuries | £22,000 | |
| One or more acts of oral genital act(s) or non-penile penetration | Resulting in ongoing disabling severe mental illness. | £27,000 |
| Multiple attackers | £13,500 | |
| Sole attacker | £11,000 | |
| Sexual Assault | Pattern of repetitive severe abuse by one or more attackers over a period of 3 years or more | £8,200 |
| Pattern of repetitive severe abuse by one or more attackers over a period of up to 3 years | £6,600 | |
| oral-genital acts or non-penile penetration | £3,300 | |
| Non-penetrative under clothing acts (serious) | £2,000 |
Claiming Special Expenses In CICA Claims
You could also be awarded compensation for any special expenses you have incurred. Examples of these include:
- Medical expenses
- Home adaptations
- Loss of earnings
- Cost of care
These costs need to be necessary and reasonable, and you must not be able to get them from elsewhere for free. If you’d like more guidance on the process of claiming sexual abuse compensation, use the information above to discuss this in more detail with our team of advisors.
Requirements For Making A CICA Claim
When claiming sexual abuse compensation, it’s important that you’re able to satisfy certain requirements that are expected from the CICA. These include:
- Evidence that you meet residency requirements
- A police reference number to show that it was reported to the police
- Medical evidence and evidence of special expenses
The CICA will communicate with the police in relation to several aspects of your claim, including:
- Whether you cooperated with them in their investigation
- Whether you have a criminal record that could affect your claim
For more information in regards to the requirements, you’ll have to satisfy to claim sexual abuse compensation from the CICA, use the contact information to discuss this further.
Use Our Panel Of No Win No Fee Solicitors To Claim Sexual Abuse Compensation
If you claim compensation with one of the lawyers from our panel, you could be offered a type of No Win No Fee Agreement called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
This typically means that:
- You won’t be asked to make an upfront payment
- If you’re unsuccessful in your claim, you don’t pay for your lawyer’s work at all
- If you’re awarded compensation, a legally-limited percentage of your settlement will be deducted by your representative
If you’d like to contact us, then you can get answers to any questions that you might have in relation to your sexual abuse claim.
Contact us by:
- Calling us on 0161 696 9685
- Using our live support feature available on our website to talk with one of our advisors
- Entering your details into the contact us section of our website
Learn More About Claiming CICA Compensation
If you’d like to learn more about the steps you’ll have to take to receive sexual abuse compensation, you can learn more by reading more of our guides below:
- Claiming if you were sexually abused by a family friend
- Advice on claiming if sexually abused by your stepfather
- How long does it take for a CICA claim to come through?
Alternatively, you can use the following links to learn more:
- CICA statistics
- Support resources for rape and sexual assault
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- Criminal Injuries Compensation
- Rape Victims Compensation Claims
- How Much Compensation Will I Get For An Assault Claim?
- Sexual Abuse Compensation Claim Amounts
- Historical Sexual Abuse Compensation
- Sexual Abuse Compensation FAQ
- How To Report Historical Sexual Abuse FAQ
- Negligent Breast Augmentation Surgery Claims
- Stab Victim Compensation Claims
- How Families Of A Murder Victim Could Claim Compensation
- Sexual Abuse By A Father Compensation Claims
- Sexual Abuse At School Claims
- Criminal Injuries Compensation – How Much Will I Receive?
- How Long Does A CICA Claim Take?
- Sexual Abuse By A Family Member Claims
- Making A CICA Claim With A Criminal Record
- Stepfather Sexual Abuse Claims
- Sexual Abuse Claims Guide
- Husband Sexual Abuse Claims
- Family Friend Sexual Abuse Claims
- Grandparent Sexual Abuse Claims