Sibling sexual abuse claims may help survivors seek compensation for the psychological harm, trauma and wider impact caused by abuse within the family. In England and Wales, you may be able to claim compensation even if the abuse happened years ago or was never reported at the time. Claims may be made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), through a civil claim, or against an organisation if concerns were missed by schools, social services, foster agencies or other institutions. Compensation may reflect psychological injuries, therapy costs, lost earnings, care needs and the long-term effect abuse has had on daily life, relationships, education and work. Evidence such as medical records, witness accounts, police reports or counselling records may help support a claim.
If you are a survivor of sibling sexual abuse, please know that your experience is valid, you are not alone, and you have the right to seek compensation. Sibling sexual abuse claims can be made even if the abuse happened many years ago or was never reported to the police at the time. Abuse within a family can leave deep emotional and psychological trauma, and many survivors struggle for years before feeling ready to seek support or compensation. At Sexual Abuse Compensation Claims Advice, we understand how difficult it can be to speak about abuse involving a brother, sister, step-sibling, or other close family member. Our specialist solicitors can help you explore your legal options in complete confidence and with sensitivity throughout the process.
We may be able to help you pursue compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), a civil claim, or claims involving schools, social services, foster care settings, or local authorities where warning signs were missed. Our solicitors can also help gather evidence, obtain medical reports, support vulnerable witnesses, and explain time limit rules in clear, simple language. Many cases can be handled on a No Win No Fee basis. Contact Sexual Abuse Compensation Claims Advice today for free, confidential guidance from advisors who understand the impact sibling sexual abuse can have on every part of your life.
- Call 0333 091 8597.
- Use our live chat.
- Contact us via our online form
Jump To A Section
- Can I Claim Compensation For Sibling Sexual Abuse?
- Sibling Sexual Abuse – What Compensation Could I Receive?
- Could I Also Receive Special Expenses For A CICA Claim?
- Evidence Needed When Making A Criminal Injury Compensation Claim
- Can I Seek Criminal Injuries Compensation On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Learn More
Can I Claim Compensation For Sibling Sexual Abuse?
Yes, you may be able to claim compensation for sibling sexual abuse either directly against the perpetrator (your sibling), a relevant third party who had a duty of care (such as an educational establishment), or via the CICA. In instances of intra-familial sexual abuse, claims may be made through the CICA. In order to do so, your case must meet certain eligibility criteria:
- You must have been a victim of a violent crime, such as being sexually abused or otherwise a victim of sexual violence. What counts as sexual abuse for the purposes of a claim is defined in Annexe B of the Scheme.
- This crime must have occurred in England, Wales, Scotland or another relevant location (such as a boat, registered in Great Britain, etc).
- The crime must have been reported to the police.
- Your claim must be filed within the (relevant) time limit.
The standard time limit to file a claim through the CICA is 2 years from the date the incident took place. Exceptions to this time limit could apply if exceptional circumstances meant you were unable to claim within this timeframe. However, the CICA will assess these exceptions case-by-case.
What If The Sibling Sexual Abuse Was Historical?
If the sexual abuse was historical, you could still make a claim for compensation. Historical sibling sexual abuse (also known as non-recent sexual abuse) refers to incidents in which a now-adult was previously abused as a child under the age of 18. It may deal with circumstances in which you knew you had been abused but were unable to make a police report at the time, or where you have only recently discovered you were a victim of abusive sexual behaviour by a sibling.
The time limits for historical sexual abuse claims made through the CICA are as follows:
- If the incident was reported to the police prior to the victim’s 18th birthday, they would have 2 years from their 18th birthday to claim (provided exceptional circumstances don’t apply).
- If the incident took place prior to the victim’s 18th birthday bit was not reported until after said birthday, they would have 2 years from the date this report was made to start a claim. They would also need to prove that exceptional circumstances prevented this report from being made sooner, such as cases of historical abuse.
If you have any questions about sibling sexual abuse claims made through the CICA, you can contact our advisory team today.
Sibling Sexual Abuse – What Compensation Could I Receive?
You could receive compensation for physical injuries, mental harm (such as post-traumatic stress disorder), and certain financial losses when claiming for sibling sexual abuse through the CICA. Under the fixed tariff set out by the CICA Scheme, you could receive £44,000 for non-consensual penetration leading to serious internal injuries and a disabling mental illness.
These fixed tariff amounts mean you will receive the exact amount listed for your injury if you have a successful claim.
We have included examples taken from the fixed tariff in the following table. Please note, however, that the top entry is the maximum
| Offences with children involved | Notes | Tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple injuries, special expenses, and lost income. | Up to 3 severe criminal injuries, with lost earnings and special expenses for care costs etc. | Up to £500,000 |
| Non-consensual penetration of the mouth, vagina, or anus. | With serious internal injuries and a (diagnosed) severe mental illness. | £44,000 |
| With serious internal injuries and a (diagnosed) moderate mental illness. | £33,000 | |
| Causing a severe, permanent, and disabling mental illness. | £27,000 | |
| Causing a moderate, but permanently disabling mental illness. | £22,000 | |
| Which causes serious internal injuries. | £22,000 | |
| Where, over 3 or more years, there were repeated incidents. | £22,000 | |
| Sexual assault | Resulting in a diagnosed severe permanent mental illness. | £27,000 |
| Resulting in a diagnosed moderate permanent mental illness. | £22,000 | |
| Resulting in serious internal bodily injuries. | £22,000 |
CICA payouts may be awarded for up to 3 injuries. Using the multiple injuries formula, the most serious injury receives 100% of the tariff, with the second- and third-most serious injuries receiving 30% and 15% of the tariff, respectively.
Additional compensation could be awarded that is not subject to this tariff for incidents where an STD has been contracted, a foetus was lost, or you became pregnant due to the incident.
Contact our advisors today to discuss your CICA claim.
Could I Also Receive Special Expenses For A CICA Claim?
Yes, you could receive special expenses for certain financial losses in a CICA claim for sexual abuse. You may be compensated for the following, provided that they are reasonable, necessary, not available for free elsewhere and have directly stemmed from your criminal injury:
- Loss or damage to personal property you relied upon as a physical aid, such as glasses, etc.
- Care costs related to food preparation and bodily functions.
- Adapting your vehicle or home.
- Mobility equipment required for your criminal injuries.
Additionally, you may be eligible to receive compensation for any lost earnings, but certain eligibility requirements must be met.
Contact our advisors today to learn more about what other special expenses could be awarded in sibling sexual abuse claims made through the CICA.
Evidence Needed When Making A Criminal Injury Compensation Claim
When making a criminal injury compensation claim through the CICA, they require specific evidence from you. This is:
- Proof that you meet the CICA’s residency requirements.
- A crime reference number to prove you reported the incident.
- Medical evidence of any physical and/or mental injuries you sustained.
If the CICA requires any further evidence, they will liaise directly with the police. A solicitor can help you collect any evidence relevant to your case.
Contact our advisors today to learn more about how our solicitors could help you.
Can I Seek Criminal Injuries Compensation On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Yes, you can seek criminal injuries compensation on a No Win No Fee basis with one of our specialist solicitors, provided you have a valid claim. They offer their services through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), specifically. Under this type of agreement, one of our solicitors could help you claim for child sexual abuse via the CICA without the need to pay for their services in advance, while the claim is underway or if you are not awarded compensation following an unsuccessful claim.
If you are awarded compensation, a percentage (capped under law) of this is deducted as the solicitor’s success fee.
Our solicitors work to provide claimants with a supportive environment, taking the time to understand your individual needs, helping you navigate the claims process, and advocating for your needs.
Your solicitor could:
- Help you make your claim through the CICA na dhandling all the necessary paperwork.
- Gather any evidence the CICA requires from you.
- Arrange any rehabilitation or therapy you may need.
- Organise an independent medical assessment to be used as evidence for your claim.
- Help you appeal against the CICA if they believe you are owed more compensation than you have been offered.
See If You Can Make A CICA Claim For Sibling Sexual Abuse By Contacting Us For Free
See if you can make a CICA claim by contacting us and being connected to a sexual abuse solicitor of ours.
- Contact us to discuss your claim for sibling sexual harm.
- Phone 0333 091 8597.
- Use our online chat.
Learn More
Learn more about claiming through the CICA in our other guides:
- View our guide on adult sexual abuse claims.
- Read about the long-term effects of sexual abuse here.
References.
- Learn about violence against women and girls in this Crown Prosecution Service resource.
- The NHS provides information on how to get help after rape and sexual assault.
- Report rape, sexual assault, and other sexual offences to the police.
Thank you for reading our guide on sibling sexual abuse claims.
