The Steps To Claiming Compensation For Sexual Abuse As A Child

This article will discuss the process of claiming compensation for sexual abuse as a child. We will address the process of claiming compensation on behalf of a victim of abuse who is still a child, as well as when an adult victim of historical abuse could be entitled to claim compensation.

Compensation for sexual abuse as a child guide

Read on to learn more about the evidence you may need to supply in support of a claim. This article will also discuss the time limits that could apply, the compensation amounts that could be awarded, and how a No Win No Fee solicitor could help you begin a claim without any upfront charges.

For further information, keep reading. Alternatively, our phone line is open 24/7, with advisers standing by to answer any questions you may have. Get in touch today to learn more about historic abuse claims or claiming on behalf of your child:

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A Guide To Claiming Compensation For Sexual Abuse As A Child
When Can You Claim Compensation For Sexual Abuse As A Child?
Compensation For Historic Abuse – What Could You Receive?
What Evidence Do You Need In Sexual Abuse Claims?
Why Make A Sexual Abuse Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Read More About How To Receive Compensation For Sexual Abuse As A Child

A Guide To Claiming Compensation For Sexual Abuse As A Child

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is an executive agency that is sponsored by the government and who can award compensation to people who have been injured in a crime of violence. They may be able to award compensation in cases where it cannot be claimed from another source.

Sexual abuse of a child could be compensated for through the CICA. Crime information from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) states that sexual abuse of a child can include (but is not limited to):

Touching or groping a child, with or without clothes
Coercing, threatening, or otherwise convincing a child to perform sexual acts
Penetrating a child with an object or a body part

An adult who has experienced abuse as a child may still be able to claim through the CICA. Sexual abuse experienced by someone who is now over the age of 18 when they were a child can be referred to as historical or non-recent abuse.

The next section will provide details about the criteria for claiming criminal injuries compensation for child sexual abuse. Alternatively, you can ring the number provided and speak to an adviser straight away. They may be able to offer insight into claiming compensation for sexual abuse as a child.

When Can You Claim Compensation For Sexual Abuse As A Child?

The CICA has some eligibility requirements that need to be met. These include:

The incident needs to have occurred in England, Scotland, Wales or another ‘relevant place’.
The claimant must have suffered as a direct result of a crime of violence. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 contains a definition of a direct crime of violence, which includes sexual assault.
The incident needs to have been reported to the police as soon as possible. Generally, ‘as soon as possible’ means immediately after the event, but if extenuating circumstances apply that mean you couldn’t report immediately, then your claim could still be considered.

Is There A CICA Claim Time Limit?

The CICA claim time limit is 2 years. If a parent or guardian is claiming on behalf of a child, they must begin the claim within 2 years of reporting the incident to the police. However, if no claim is made on the child’s behalf before they turn 18, they may begin their own claim before they turn 20. This means that some adult victims of historical abuse may still be able to pursue compensation for crimes they experienced as a child.

Contact our advisers to have a conversation about time limits. In certain cases, your case could be considered even if the incident was reported immediately or a claim began within the two-year time limit. Our advisers can offer personalised advice about claiming compensation for sexual abuse as a child.

Compensation For Historic Abuse – What Could You Receive?

Sexual abuse compensation can take into account a number of different ways that a crime of violence has affected you. It can include compensation for factors such as pain and suffering caused by your injuries, loss of earnings experienced as a result of the incident, and special expenses.

Compensation for your injuries will include a payment in line with the CICA tariff of injuries, which can be found in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. You can use the table below as an alternative to using our sexual abuse compensation calculator.

Injury Type	CICA Tariff	Injury Notes
Penile Penetration	£22,000	Repeated instances of non-consensual penetration of vagina, anus, and/or mouth occurring for three years or more.
Penile Penetration	£16,500	Repeated instances of non-consensual penetration of vagina, anus, and/or mouth occurring for up to three years.
Penile Penetration	£13,500	Single instance of non-consensual penetration of vagina, anus, and/or mouth, involving two or more attackers.
Penile Penetration	£11,000	Single instance of non-consensual penetration of vagina, anus, and/or mouth.
Non-Penile Penetration/Oral Genital Act	£8,200	Pattern of repetitive, frequent instances occurring for three years or more with a child.
Non-Penile Penetration/Oral Genital Act	£6,600	Pattern of repetitive, frequent instances occurring for up to three years with a child.
Non-Penile Penetration/Oral Genital Act	£4,400	Two or more instances with a child.
Non-Penile Penetration/Oral Genital Act	£3,300	Single instance with a child.
Pregnancy	£5,500	Becoming pregnant.
Infection	£5,500	Sexually transmitted infection other than HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C with substantial recovery.

You could claim compensation for up to three injuries from this tariff. You will receive 100% of the tariff amount for the injury with the highest value, 30% of the tariff amount for the injury with the second or equal highest value, and 15% of the injury with the third highest or equal value.

You could receive compensation from a separate tariff if you became pregnant, lost a foetus, or contracted a sexually transmitted infection. These injuries aren’t subject to the formula above.

Special Expenses In Historic Abuse Claims

In addition to the CICA tariff of injuries payout, sexual abuse claims can also include a special expenses payment. However, in order to receive this payout, you need to have lost earnings, lost the capacity to earn or have been incapacitated to a similar extent for at least 28 full weeks after the incident.

Certain financial losses can be recouped through a special expenses payment. These can include:

Treatment costs from the NHS or a private healthcare provider, if being treated by the NHS would have incurred the same costs
Costs arising from care relating to your bodily functions and meal preparation, for example, if you need assistance with these tasks
Physical aids, such as spectacles, that were damaged or destroyed during the incident

Special expenses will be awarded from the date of the incident. They must be reasonable, necessary, and unavailable for free elsewhere.

You could also receive a loss of earnings payment if you have experienced a total inability, or very limited ability, to undertake paid work. You cannot receive compensation for the first 28 weeks of lost earnings.

Talk to our advisers if you have more questions about the heads of claim that can be included in compensation for sexual abuse as a child. They can walk you through the CICA claims process and may put you in touch with a solicitor who can help.

What Evidence Do You Need In Sexual Abuse Claims?

When making a claim, you must provide the CICA with certain evidence, including:

Proof that you meet the CICA’s residency requirements
A police reference number to show that the incident was reported
Medical evidence and financial evidence to support certain aspects of your claim

The CICA will liaise with the police on certain matters, which is why you must provide them with a police reference number. For example, they will confirm that you cooperated with the police in their investigations and whether you have any criminal convictions that could affect your claim.

Can You Claim On Behalf Of Your Child?

You may be able to claim on behalf of your child if you begin the process within 2 years of reporting the incident to the police. Additionally, you must be able to show you are the child’s legal parent or guardian.

Contact our advisers if you are considering claiming compensation for the sexual abuse of your child. They can listen to your circumstances and offer advice about the best route to claiming.

Why Make A Sexual Abuse Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?

Our sexual abuse claims solicitors can offer you their years of expertise when seeking compensation. Although you do not need a solicitor in order to begin a claim, they can help make the process as easy as possible.

Additionally, our solicitors can offer you a type of No Win No Fee agreement called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). By using this agreement, you usually don’t have to pay for the solicitor’s services if your claim fails, nor do you generally need to pay them upfront or as the claim progresses.

Instead, your solicitor will take what’s called a success fee from your compensation. This amount is subject to a legal fee.

Contact Us For Free To See If You Could Receive Sexual Abuse Compensation

Get in touch to learn as much as you can about making a claim for historical abuse or the sexual abuse of your child. Our advisers know how difficult it can be to talk about these incidents, and they will not pressure you to make a claim. Instead, they will offer the guidance and information you may be seeking:

Call us at 020 8050 2736
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Compensation For Sexual Abuse As A Child