By Stephen Wilson. Last Updated 17th March 2025. Within this guide, we will look at the process of making a claim seeking compensation for historical abuse. Historical, or non-recent abuse, is a term often used to describe abuse suffered by an adult back during a time when they were a child.
You may be able to claim compensation for the harm caused by this abuse. There are two main channels through which you can do this; directly against the perpetrator or through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Our team are available to offer free legal advice about the process of claiming for non-recent abuse. Contact us by clicking below
- Defining Historical Child Abuse
- Can I Claim Compensation For Historical Abuse?
- How Do I Claim? A Look At The Process
- What Evidence Do I Need To Prove Historical Abuse?
- How To Report Historical Abuse To The Police
- Is There A Time Limit For Historical Abuse Claims?
- How Historical Abuse Compensation Payouts Are Calculated
- Get Help From A No Win No Fee Solicitor
- Available Support For Victims Of Historical Abuse
- Find Out More About Historical Abuse Claims
Defining Historical Child Abuse
Historical abuse (or ‘non-recent’ abuse) is when an adult was abused in some way as a child or young person under the age of 18. It can relate to a single incident or multiple occasions of sexual abuse or assault.
You might be eligible to make a historical abuse claim if you suffered harm due to non-recent abuse. This can be done directly against the perpetrator (if they are still alive, have the means to pay historical abuse compensation, and know who they are), a vicariously liable party (such as a school) or through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The CICA handle compensation claims for those who have suffered mental or physical injuries because they were the victim of a crime in Great Britain).
When claiming historical abuse compensation directly against a perpetrator or vicariously liable party, you will make a personal injury claim.
If you are making your historical abuse claim against a vicariously liable party, you will need to prove that the organisation (such as a school) owed you a duty of care to avoid causing foreseeable harm and a breach in this resulted in the historical abuse you suffered.
For example, if claiming against a school, certain members of staff may require background checks prior to starting their role. If the school fails to carry out a background check that would have revealed that person presented risks to children before they started work and they went on to abuse you, you could be eligible to file a compensation claim against the school.
We’ll explain the eligibility to make a CICA claim later in this guide. If you would like to discuss a claim for historic abuse with our specialist team, please get in touch today.
Historical Abuse Statistics
The Office of National Statistics(ONS) offers details on the prevalence of sexual abuse during childhood. The ONS collect, analyse and disseminates statistics about the UK. These statistics include information about the economy, population and society. Their Crime Survey for England and Wales for the year ending 2019 revealed that:
- According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) an estimated 3.1 million adults between the ages of 18 to 74 years had experienced a type of sexual abuse before the age of 16 years.
- This is equivalent to 7.5% of the population in this age bracket
- 3% of adults in the same period and age bracket experienced non-contact sexual abuse before 16 years of age.
- Over half (54%) of adults sexually abused before the age of 16 also experienced more than one type of sexual assault
- Women are more likely than men to have experienced multiple types of sexual abuse (39% compared with 26%).
Read on to find out more about where you can get support for historical abuse. Alternatively, get in touch with our team of advisors for free legal advice.
Can I Claim Compensation For Historical Abuse?
Compensation for historical abuse may be sought after in two separate ways depending on the specific circumstances. If you can identify your abuser and they have sufficient funds to award you compensation, it may be possible to make a personal injury claim against them directly.
If applicable to your situation, you may also be able to claim against an organisation that failed to properly check the background of your abuser before employing them or failed to act on reported concerns from others at the time. For instance, if you were sexually abused at a school and the member of staff who did it had a prior record of sex offences, then you may be able to claim if the school that employed this staff member did not perform a DBS check before hiring them.
When you make a claim against the person who abused you directly, or against an organisation, the time limit is generally three years. However, there are exceptions that can apply to this; please get in touch with our advisors for more information on whether you’re within the time limit to make a claim.
How Do I Claim? A Look At The Process
If you’re thinking of making a claim then it helps to have an idea of what the process involves, from the beginning right through to the end.
Historical abuse claims generally involve the following steps:
- Check Eligibility – Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, or neglect. Claims can be made against individuals, institutions, or through government schemes. Time limits apply, but exceptions exist for historical cases.
- Seek Legal Advice – Consult a solicitor specialising in abuse claims, such as ourselves here at Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice. Many offer a free initial consultation and work on a No Win No Fee basis.
- Choose Your Claim Type:
- Civil Claim – Against the abuser or institution responsible.
- Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) – A government scheme for victims of violent crime (must have reported to the police).
- Group Action – If multiple victims were abused in the same institution.
- Redress Schemes – Some institutions offer their own compensation schemes.
- Gather Evidence – This may include medical records, police reports, witness statements, and personal accounts.
- Submit Your Claim – Your solicitor will file a court case, CICA application, or redress scheme claim.
- Negotiation and Settlement – Many cases are settled out of court. If not, the case may go to trial.
- Receive Compensation – Awards depend on the severity of abuse, financial loss, and emotional distress.
This is a general overview of the steps involved, but each case is different. If you’d like to speak with us about an historical abuse claim today, you can get in touch with us for free by clicking below.
The Role Of The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)
Another pathway to historical abuse compensation can be through the government-sponsored executive agency Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) You can claim through the CICA even if the person responsible for the crime has never been charged or even identified.
There are strict eligibility criteria to qualify for a CICA award. In order to claim, you must have reported the crime to the police. The crime should have been reported as soon as possible; this is usually straight after the incident occurred, but the CICA may make exceptions if you can prove that you were not able to do this right away.
Historical sexual abuse could be subject to one of these exceptions. If you were very young when the abuse happened, then you may not have been able to report this to yourself. In some cases, you may not realise that anything wrong was happening until years down the line.
What Evidence Do I Need To Prove Historical Abuse?
If you are seeking compensation for historical abuse, providing strong evidence is crucial to building a successful case. While the abuse may have happened years or even decades ago, there are several types of evidence that can support your claim. Below, you can find a useful breakdown.
1. Personal Account
Your own statement is one of the most important pieces of evidence. This should include:
- A detailed description of what happened, including dates (if known), locations, and the people involved.
- Any personal records such as diaries, letters, or emails that reference the abuse.
2. Police and Official Reports
If you have reported the abuse to the police, obtaining a crime reference number or police report can be helpful. Social services, schools, or care homes may also have records that document concerns raised about your well-being at the time.
3. Witness Testimonies
Statements from people who can support your claim—such as family members, teachers, or other victims of the same abuser—can add credibility. Even if they did not witness the abuse directly, they may recall behavioural changes or other signs.
4. Medical and Psychological Records
Hospital or GP records can provide evidence of physical injuries, while psychologist or therapist reports may document the long-term emotional impact of the abuse.
5. Institutional Records
If the abuse occurred in a care home, school, or religious institution, historical records may confirm your presence there. Some institutions also keep records of past complaints or internal investigations.
What If You Don’t Have All the Evidence?
Even if you don’t have every piece of evidence listed above, you may still have a strong case. Our historical abuse solicitors can help you gather missing records and build a compelling claim.
How To Report Historical Abuse To The Police
If you decide to make a claim for historical abuse, one of the steps you’ll need to take is to report it to the police.
You have the right to report abuse to the police, no matter how long ago it happened. Many survivors worry that too much time has passed, but the police take historical abuse seriously and have dedicated teams to investigate these cases.
You can report historical abuse in several ways:
- Call 101 – This is the non-emergency police number. Ask to speak to an officer trained in handling abuse cases.
- Visit Your Local Police Station – You can report in person and request a private discussion.
- Online Reporting – Some police forces allow you to report abuse through their website.
- Report to a Charity First – Organisations like NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) or Victim Support can offer guidance before you approach the police.
Is There A Time Limit For Historical Abuse Claims?
If you’re considering making a claim for historical abuse, you may be wondering whether there are time limits that could affect your case. While there are legal deadlines, exceptions are often made for historical cases, so it’s always worth seeking legal advice.
Here’s a breakdown of the different time limits for different types of cases.
1. Civil Claims (Against an Individual or Institution)
- The standard time limit for personal injury claims (including abuse) is three years from the date of the abuse or from when you first realised its impact (known as “date of knowledge”).
- For child abuse cases, this three-year period typically starts from the victim’s 18th birthday, meaning they have until age 21 to make a claim.
- However, courts can waive this deadline for historical abuse cases, especially if the victim was unable to come forward earlier due to trauma or fear.
2. Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) Claims
- The usual time limit for a CICA claim is two years from the date the abuse was reported to the police.
- Exceptions can be made if there’s a good reason for the delay, particularly for survivors of childhood abuse.
3. Redress Schemes
- Some institutions (e.g., churches, care homes, or councils) offer their own compensation schemes with specific deadlines.
What If the Time Limit Has Passed?
Even if the standard deadline has expired, you may still be able to claim. Courts often allow historical abuse cases to proceed, particularly if you have strong evidence and a compelling reason for the delay.
The best thing to do if you’re unsure is to get in touch and we can advise you.
How Historical Abuse Compensation Payouts Are Calculated
The table we’ve included below illustrates some of the CICA tariff amounts that you could receive in a claim for historic abuse compensation:
| Injury | Tariff Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual abuse with additional damages | Up to £500,000 | Loss of earnings, special expenses, and additional injuries can be compensated for. |
| Penile penetration of one or more of vagina, anus or mouth (non-consensual) | £44,000 | A permanent and severely disabling mental illness with internal bodily injuries of a serious nature. |
| £33,000 | A permanent and moderately disabling mental illness with serious internal bodily injuries. | |
| £27,000 | Severe mental illness that is permanent and disabling. This will be confirmed by psychiatric prognosis. | |
| £22,000 | Internal bodily injuries of a serious nature. | |
| £22,000 | Moderate mental illness that is permanent and disabling. This will be confirmed by psychiatric prognosis. | |
| £13,500 | There are two or more attackers involved. | |
| £11,000 | There is one attacker involved. | |
| Sexual Assault | £27,000 | Mental illness of a severe nature which is confirmed by psychiatric prognosis. |
| £22,000 | Serious internal bodily injuries. |
These values reflect what can be offered when claiming for different forms of sexual abuse through the CICA. To allow your potential claim to succeed, you may be asked to provide medical evidence in support of your injuries.
If you make a direct claim against the person or organisation responsible for the abuse, then your compensation can be valued using a publication called the Judicial College Guidelines. These guidelines are based on past compensation awards that have been made.
If you’re making a direct claim, you could also be awarded special expenses. This can cover any loss of earnings or financial impact that the incident has had on you. You should keep hold of any evidence to demonstrate these losses and expenses.
What Can I Claim Through The CICA?
The CICA pay out compensation for injuries based on their tariff of injuries. You can only receive compensation for 3 injuries from this tariff, and only the highest valued will be paid the full amount. The second and third highest-valued injuries will be paid at 30% and 15% of the tariff amount respectively.
In addition to this, the CICA can give awards for special expenses that directly relate to the abuse. They must be reasonable, necessary and a direct result of the crime you’re claiming.
In order to claim special expenses, you will need to have experienced a loss of earnings for at least 28 full weeks after the incident. There are a range of special expenses that will be backdated; however, if you wish to claim loss of earnings, this will only be paid from the 29th week onwards.
For more information on the process of claiming for historical abuse, speak with one of our advisors today. You could be connected with a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel.
Get Help From A No Win No Fee Solicitor
If you choose to claim compensation with our help, we can connect you with a sexual abuse solicitor who could work for you on a No Win No Fee basis. This kind of agreement means that in the event of an unsuccessful outcome, there is nothing to pay your solicitor. You also won’t be asked to pay them anything in the event that you aren’t awarded compensation.
If you are awarded compensation, a legally capped success fee will be taken from your compensation award. This is subject to a legal cap, preventing you from being overcharged.
Whether it’s a direct claim or one through the CICA, the skill, insights and expertise of a No Win No Fee lawyer could help. They can accurately evaluate your historical abuse compensation request and guide your claim appropriately.
Talk To Us About Making An Historical Child Abuse Claim
With this in mind, contact our team today about your claim. Find out how the services of a trained and sympathetic No Win No Fee solicitor could help you by:
Available Support For Victims Of Historical Abuse
While our team are able to offer legal advice, we appreciate that you may require some help and support related to historical abuse. Here are a few organisations that might be able to offer you emotional support:
- The Survivors Trust – The broadest ‘umbrella’ agency for rape and sexual abuse services in the UK
- Survivors UK – advocate on behalf of boys, men and non-binary people who have been affected by rape or sexual abuse
- Rape Crisis – a network of independent rape crisis centres across the country, providing geographic contact resources.
- Refuge – helping people rebuild their lives and overcome domestic, sexual or emotional violence.
- Victim Support – an independent charity that offers practical and emotional support for victims or those who witness a crime.
- Support Line – who offer confidential emotional support on the phone or by email to children, young adults and adult abuse survivors.
Emotional support and compensation can both be valuable ways to enable survivors to put their negative experiences behind them and move on. However, if you would like legal advice about claiming for historical abuse, speak with a member of our team today.
Find Out More About Historical Abuse Claims
As well as the highlighted resources in this article about historical abuse, you can learn more from the following:
- The NHS offer guidance in the aftermath of sexual assault or rape
- Information about the government’s newly launched ‘Abuse in Education’ helpline
- National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) on non-recent abuse.
