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Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice
Our specialist solicitors can help with claims for sexual abuse, historical abuse, assault, rape or another type of criminal injury, all on a No Win No Fee basis.
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Speaking about sexual abuse can be incredibly difficult, especially if it happened years ago or involved someone you trusted. You deserve to be listened to, believed and supported with care from the very first conversation.
At Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice, our specialist team helps survivors understand whether they may be able to claim compensation through a civil claim, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority or another available route. We handle these cases with sensitivity, discretion and professionalism, so you can take the next step in your own time and without pressure.
Whether the abuse happened in childhood, within an institution, at work, in education, in care, in a religious setting, within the family or elsewhere, we can explain your options clearly. Our aim is to help you access justice, financial support and specialist legal guidance on a No Win No Fee basis where possible.
Sexual Abuse Compensation Claims At A Glance
Sexual abuse compensation claims allow survivors to seek financial compensation for the physical, psychological and financial impact of abuse. In the UK, a claim may be possible through a civil claim against an abuser or responsible organisation, through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, or through a specific redress scheme where one applies.
You may still be able to claim if the abuse happened years ago, if the abuser was someone you knew, if the abuse happened in childhood, or if there was no criminal conviction. These claims can involve schools, care homes, religious organisations, sports clubs, employers, local authorities, family members, partners or others in positions of trust.
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Meet Our Expert Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Compassionate specialists providing clear, confidential advice for survivors of sexual abuse.
Our Specialist Services
Expert legal guidance and support for survivors seeking justice and compensation.
Sexual Abuse Claims
Comprehensive legal support for civil claims involving sexual battery and non-consensual acts.
Learn MoreHistorical Abuse
Legal recourse and specialized representation for non-recent abuse occurring in childhood or past decades.
Learn MoreRape & Serious Assault
Navigating criminal injuries compensation and civil liability claims for victims of serious sexual assault.
Learn MoreInstitutional & Police Misconduct
Holding authorities and public bodies accountable for abuse of power and systemic failures.
Learn MoreFamilial & Domestic Abuse
Private and sensitive legal claims involving family members or abuse within domestic settings.
Learn MoreEducational & Care Settings
Specialized litigation for abuse within schools, boarding facilities, or children’s care homes.
Learn MoreWorkplace Abuse
Vicarious liability claims against employers for sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.
Learn MoreGrooming & Exploitation
Seeking compensation for the long-term psychological and physical impact of predatory grooming.
Learn MoreThe Definition Of Sexual Abuse
Sexual assault is defined by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as someone intentionally touching another person in a sexual manner without consent. This touching can be done with a body part or an object.
There are two types of child sexual abuse, as defined by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) – contact and non-contact. You could potentially receive sexual abuse compensation after experiencing either, depending on the nature of the incident and how it has affected you.
Contact abuse can include:
- A body part or object being used to penetrate a child
- A child being touched sexually whilst clothed or otherwise
- A child being forced to perform sexual acts
Non-contact abuse can also be very traumatising and difficult to deal with. Conduct like this can include:
- Flashing or exposing
- Being exposed to sexual acts
- Being shown pornography
This kind of abuse can happen to you whilst you’re a child or later in life. In England and Wales, criminals are currently prosecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 if they’re found guilty of sexual abuse that occurred from May 2004 onwards. If the abuse occurred before May 2004, they would be charged under the Sexual Offences Act 1956.
Our advisors could help answer any claim queries you have and discuss whether you may be eligible to receive child abuse compensation. Our team are also available to provide advice on specific types of child sexual abuse claims such as:
- Sexual abuse claims against the Catholic Church
- Sexual abuse claims in schools
- A Boy Scouts sexual abuse claim
- Other forms of criminal sexual abuse claims
What Support Networks Are Available For Sexual Abuse Victims?
If you’re looking into whether your eligible to start a claim for sexual abuse, then you may have suffered physical or psychological issues from such abuse that has greatly affected your life. Sexually abused victims in the UK that are after compensation for their suffering or just seeking help do not need be alone and support is available.
Rape Crisis England and Wales support Rape Crisis Centres across the two countries and provides information and services relating to sexual violence and abuse. It’s a feminist organisation that promotes the rights and needs of women and girls. Survivors UK, on the other hand, is specifically designed to help men and non-binary people who have suffered from rape and sexual abuse.
The Survivors Trust provides specialist rape and sexual abuse services across the UK. It’s the largest umbrella agency providing this kind of support. They can give you specialised information, advice, and therapy.
Furthermore, Childline provides a private and confidential service for anyone aged 19 or under. You can contact them to speak to a counsellor for free, and they can offer assistance and guidance that could help you.
The next section will detail eligibility requirements and the process involved if you do choose to pursue a claim for sexual abuse.
Criteria To Make A Sexual Abuse Compensation Claim
Sexual abuse or sexual assault is a crime. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) provides criminal injury compensation for people who have been victims of violent crime in Scotland, England, and Wales.
However, to claim compensation for sexual abuse through them, there are eligibility criteria in place. This includes:
- Reporting the crime to the police as soon as you possibly can. In cases of historic sexual abuse, the CICA may request further information regarding the length of time it has taken for the incident to be reported.
- Starting a CICA sexual abuse claim within two years of reporting the crime to the police. In most cases, you wouldn’t be able to claim without reporting the crime to the police because the CICA needs a police crime reference number.
- Being a UK resident at the time the crime took place. There are further exceptions and details to the residency criteria. You can read the full eligibility criteria in the tariff.
Furthermore, they can also withhold the award in particular circumstances. This includes if you’re adjudged not to be cooperating with the officer in charge of your case or, in certain instances if you have unspent convictions.
Is There Another Way I May Be Able To Claim Compensation?
The above is about making a criminal injury compensation claim. However, the abuse suffered by either you or your child may mean you could make a claim against the responsible person or party.
If you’re claiming directly against the person who abused you, you would need to know who they are. Furthermore, they’d need to have the funds available to award you compensation.
You could also claim against an organisation if they are vicariously liable. For instance, if a teacher has sexually abused your child and it’s revealed that the school failed to perform a DBS check before hiring them, you could potentially sue the school because of their negligence. When claiming compensation for a child, you can claim on their behalf by becoming their litigation friend. A litigation friend can be any adult who can act in the child’s best interests.
The Judicial College can help give you a better understanding of what you could receive when making a claim directly against the abuser or against a responsible organisation.
To learn more about this, please contact us 24/7 at a time that works for you.
How Long Do I Have To Claim Sexual Abuse Compensation?
If you are claiming for sexual abuse through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), you should apply to seek compensation as soon as reasonably possible. The amount of time you have is usually two years from the date you reported the abuse to the police. The CICA normally expect this to be the date that the incident occurred unless there are exceptional circumstances.
If your intention is to claim directly against the perpetrator or another vicariously liable third party, then the amount of time you currently have to claim can vary. There are numerous factors that have to be taken into account such as when the abuse occurred, how often it has happened and (if there has been a pattern of abuse) how old you were when it began.
There may be instances where a claim can be made through the CICA after the two years. For example, where have been exceptional circumstances that meant you couldn’t apply earlier. This can include cases of historic abuse.
As such, historic abuse compensation could be claimed through the CICA after two years.
Examples Of Sexual Abuse Compensation Payouts
You may be wondering how much you could receive when you claim compensation for sexual abuse. This will depend on whether you’re making a direct claim or a claim through the CICA. Additionally, the extent of the physical and psychological trauma will be considered.
Below is a table showing examples of CICA payouts you may receive if you are able to submit a successful claim to the organisation. This is based on the CICA’s tariff of injuries, which is explained within the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
| Offence Type | Type of Injury | Amount of Compensation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual offence - victim, any age | Penile penetration that is non-consensual | £22,000 | This value is for penile penetration that is non-consensual of at least one of the anus, mouth or vagina. This leads to internal injury to the body that is serious in nature. |
| Assault of a sexual nature | £3,300 | This value is for oral-genital or severe penetrative non-penile act(s). | |
| Assault of a sexual nature | £1,000 | This value is for minor sexual acts that are non-penetrative and take place over clothing. | |
| Assault of a sexual nature | £27,000 | This value is for sexual assault that causes mental illness that is disabling and permanent. This is confirmed as being severe through psychiatric prognosis. | |
| Penile penetration that is non-consensual | £33,000 | This value is for penile penetration that is non-consensual of at least one of the vagina, anus or mouth. This results in internal bodily injury that is serious as it causes permanent, disabling and moderate mental illness shown by psychiatric prognosis. | |
| Sexual offence - victim is a child | Assault of a sexual nature | £4,400 | This value is for at least two isolated assault incidents that are sexual in nature involving one or more oral genital or non-penile penetrative act(s). |
| Penile penetration that is non-consensual | £11,000 | This value is for an incident involving penile penetration that is non-consensual of one or more of the anus, vagina or mouth. | |
| Assault of a sexual nature | £2,000 | This value is for a physical sexual act(s) that is non-penetrative and serious in nature that occurs under clothing. | |
| Assault of a sexual nature | £8,200 | This value is for frequent and repetitive assault incidents of a sexual nature that involve at least one oral genital or non-penile penetrative act(s). These acts would have taken place for at least three years or more. | |
| Penile penetration that is non-consensual | £44,000 | This value is for penile penetration that is not consensual of at least one of vagina, anus or mouth, resulting in a serious internal bodily injury. This leads to severe, disabling and permanent mental illness shown by a psychiatric prognosis. |
Furthermore, there are other types of compensation you could receive as part of a sexual abuse claim made to the CICA. You may be able to receive payment for special expenses as part of your sexual assault compensation if you meet the following criteria:
- The injury has caused lost earnings or earning capacity for more than 28 weeks. Most special expenses will be paid from the date of the incident, but a loss of earnings will only be compensated from the 29th week onwards.
- The requirement you’re claiming for is a necessity. This could potentially include specialist support and care you need.
- That there is no way you could receive the same service for free.
- It is a reasonable expense.
If you make a direct claim for sexual abuse against the party responsible, then you can view compensation brackets from the Judicial College Guidelines to get a rough estimate. Unlike examples of CICA payouts, the compensation awards when making a direct claim are not based on specific tariffs. Payouts vary on a case-by-case basis. A solicitor supporting your claim may use the Judicial College Guidelines for reference when assessing the value of your claim, since the brackets in them are based on previous compensation awards that have been made for different injuries.
Get in touch with our team today for more information.
Could A No Win No Fee Solicitor Help With My Historical Abuse Compensation Claim?
Whether you’re a child abuse survivor or seeing if you can claim sexual abuse compensation for an event that occurred as an adult, it may be beneficial for you to use our No Win No Fee solicitors.
The benefits of using a No Win No Fee solicitor include:
- Not paying your solicitor’s legal fees during the claims process, or before they start working on your claim.
- Only paying their legal costs at the end of a successful claim. They will take a small, legally capped success fee from your compensation to cover their legal fees.
- You won’t have to pay them anything in the event that you aren’t awarded compensation.
For more info on claiming compensation for historic abuse or other forms of sexual assault with No Win No Fee solicitors, you can contact our team today.
Speak To Us About Making A Sexual Abuse Compensation Claim
You can contact our advisors for free. They’re available 24/7 and can handle your case in a caring and confidential manner.
Furthermore, they can connect you to our sexual abuse claims solicitors who could help you receive compensation. Contact them at a time that works for you using the below details.
- Call us using the above phone number
- Use our website to contact us
- Write to us with your query through the Live Chat window.
Further Guidance About Claiming Sexual Abuse Compensation
Use the below links to learn more about the support you could receive.
The Hardship Fund may be of use to those who have taken time off a low-paid job because of a violent crime, but aren’t eligible to claim through the CICA.
You can report a crime or incident online.
The NHS also provides support if you’ve suffered from rape and sexual assault.
If you want to, you are welcome to contact our team at a time that works for you to know more about receiving sexual abuse compensation. We can answer any queries you have confidentially. Use the above contact details to learn more.
Sexual Abuse Compensation FAQs
Below, you can find answers to some common questions about claiming sexual abuse compensation in the UK.
Can I claim sexual abuse compensation in the UK?
Yes, you may be able to claim sexual abuse compensation in the UK if you experienced sexual abuse and can show that another person, organisation or public body may be legally responsible, or if you qualify under a criminal injuries compensation scheme.
The main routes are usually a civil claim, a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, known as CICA, or a redress scheme where one is available. The right option will depend on where the abuse happened, who was responsible, whether the abuse was reported and what evidence is available.
What is the difference between a civil sexual abuse claim and a CICA claim?
A civil sexual abuse claim is usually brought against an individual, organisation or institution that may be legally responsible for the abuse. This could include a school, care home, religious organisation, sports club, employer, local authority or other body that failed to protect you.
A CICA claim is made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. This is a government-backed scheme for people injured by violent crime, including sexual abuse. CICA claims follow fixed scheme rules and tariff-based awards, while civil claims may consider wider losses such as therapy costs, lost earnings and future care needs.
Do I need a criminal conviction to claim sexual abuse compensation?
No, you do not always need a criminal conviction to claim sexual abuse compensation. A civil claim or CICA claim may still be possible even if the abuser was never charged, the police took no further action or a criminal trial ended without a conviction.
However, evidence will still be important. This may include police records, medical notes, counselling records, safeguarding records, witness statements or documents showing how the abuse affected your health, work, education or daily life.
Can I claim compensation if the abuse happened years ago?
Yes, it may still be possible to claim compensation for historic or non-recent sexual abuse. Many survivors are unable to speak about abuse for years because of trauma, fear, shame, grooming, coercive control or because they were a child when the abuse happened.
Time limits can be complex and depend on the type of claim being made. Civil claims and CICA claims have different rules, and exceptions may apply in some cases. You should not assume you are out of time without speaking to a specialist solicitor.
Can I claim compensation for childhood sexual abuse?
Yes, you may be able to claim compensation for childhood sexual abuse. Claims can involve abuse by a family member, teacher, care worker, religious leader, sports coach, foster carer, neighbour, family friend or another person in a position of trust.
A claim may be brought against an individual abuser, an institution that failed to protect you or through the CICA if the abuse meets the scheme criteria.
Can I claim against a school, care home, church, sports club or other institution?
Yes, you may be able to claim against an institution if it failed to take reasonable steps to protect you from sexual abuse. This could include a school, children’s home, care home, religious organisation, sports club, youth group, hospital, prison, local authority, employer or voluntary organisation.
These claims often look at whether the organisation ignored warning signs, failed to act on complaints, failed to carry out proper safeguarding checks or allowed unsafe systems to continue.
Can I claim if I was abused by a family member or someone I knew?
Yes, you may still be able to claim compensation if the abuser was a family member, partner, former partner, friend, neighbour or another person known to you. Sexual abuse compensation claims are not limited to abuse by strangers.
Many claims involve grooming, coercive control, domestic abuse, familial abuse or abuse by someone in a position of trust. The most suitable route will depend on the evidence, whether the abuse was reported and whether another organisation may also be legally responsible.
What evidence do I need for a sexual abuse compensation claim?
Evidence in a sexual abuse compensation claim may include police reports, crime reference numbers, medical records, counselling or therapy records, social services records, school or care home records, safeguarding documents, employment records, witness statements, messages, letters, emails, diary entries and evidence of financial losses.
You do not need to have all of this evidence before asking for legal advice. A specialist solicitor can help identify what may be available and request relevant records where appropriate.
Do I have to report sexual abuse to the police before claiming compensation?
For CICA claims, the abuse usually needs to have been reported to the police. You may also be asked for information such as the police force involved and the crime reference number.
For civil claims, a police report can be helpful, but it may not always be essential. A solicitor can advise you on whether a claim may still be possible based on the available evidence.
What can sexual abuse compensation include?
Sexual abuse compensation can include damages for the physical and psychological impact of the abuse. Depending on the type of claim, compensation may also include lost earnings, reduced ability to work, therapy and counselling costs, medical treatment, care and support needs, travel expenses and loss of education or career opportunities.
The available compensation can differ between civil claims and CICA claims. Civil claims may allow a wider range of financial losses, while CICA awards are usually assessed under fixed scheme rules.
Will my sexual abuse compensation claim be confidential?
Sexual abuse compensation claims should be handled confidentially and sensitively. Solicitors must treat private and sensitive information with care, and survivors of sexual offences also have important anonymity protections in criminal justice contexts.
A specialist solicitor can explain who may need to see information about your case, how records are handled and what steps can be taken to protect your privacy during the claims process.
Can I make a No Win No Fee sexual abuse compensation claim?
Yes, many sexual abuse compensation claims can be handled on a No Win No Fee basis if the solicitor believes the claim has reasonable prospects of success. This means you do not usually pay solicitor fees upfront.
If your claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation. Your solicitor should explain this clearly before you decide whether to proceed.
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