If you are wondering, “Can I claim adult sexual abuse compensation?” this guide may have the information you have been looking for. We discuss when you could be eligible to make a criminal injury claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The CICA are a government agency that can award compensation to those who have been injured in a crime of violence in Great Britain.
Additionally, we will also touch upon when you could make a sexual abuse compensation claim against a vicariously liable party. This guide will also explain the time limits that must be adhered to when claiming through the CICA and the time limits that must be adhered to.
Furthermore, we will examine the tariff of injuries that is outlined within the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 which contains fixed amounts for various injuries. The CICA administers and uses this Scheme to determine what compensation you could be owed. Finally, we cover the benefits of working with one of the sexual abuse claims solicitors on our panel on a No Win No Fee basis.
If you would like to discuss your case and receive free advice about claiming sexual abuse compensation, you can contact a member of our advisory team today. They can be reached via the following:
- Call the number listed above.
- Contact us through our online form.
- Open the live chat pop-up at the foot of this page.
Browse Our Guide
- Can I Claim Adult Sexual Abuse Compensation?
- Is There A Time Limit When Making A CICA Claim?
- What Will The CICA Need From You When Claiming For Criminal Injuries Compensation?
- Potential Adult Sexual Abuse Compensation
- Make A CICA Claim Using A No Win No Fee Solicitor
- Learn More About Claiming For Adult Sexual Assault
Can I Claim Adult Sexual Abuse Compensation?
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government agency which helps those injured in a crime of violence in Great Britain to seek compensation. However, before claiming through the CICA, you will need to prove that you were unable to claim compensation via a different avenue, e.g. directly against the perpetrator.
If you are wondering, ‘Can I claim adult sexual abuse compensation through the CICA?’, you will need to ensure that the following eligibility criteria is met to be able to:
- You must have been injured in a crime of violence. Annex B of the CICA Scheme provides examples of crimes of violence you could claim for. Some examples include sexual abuse, a threat of attack and physical assault.
- The incident must have taken place in Scotland, Wales, England or another relevant place, such as a boat registered in one of these countries.
- You must have reported the incident to the police.
- Your claim must be made within the correct time limit. We will explain what these are in a later section.
If you have any questions about claiming compensation as a sexual abuse survivor through the CICA, please do not hesitate to contact our advisors.
Claiming Against An Organisation For Sexual Abuse
You may be able to directly sue an organisation that was vicariously liable for your criminal injuries.
For example, if an employer ignores repeated complaints about inappropriate sexual conduct from an employee who goes on to commit sexual assault against a colleague at work, the victim could seek compensation from the employer.
If you have any questions about making a sexual abuse claim through the CICA or against a vicariously liable party, you can contact a member of our advisory team.
Is There A Time Limit When Making A CICA Claim?
Regardless of what type of claim you are making through the CICA, you must ensure that you submit your case within the time limit. Generally, this is two years from the date of the incident.
Certain exceptions could be to this two year time window for starting the claiming process. However, you will need to demonstrate that exceptional circumstances stopped you from making your claim within this time period.
Can I Claim For Historic Sexual Abuse?
For those who suffered sexual abuse as a child, the time limits work differently.
In the event where the incident took place when you were under the age of 18, and it was reported to the police, you will have two years from your 18th birthday to start a historical abuse claim through the CICA, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
If the incident took place when you were under the age of 18 but no report was made to the police, you will have 2 years to start your claim from the date that you make the report, provided that exceptional circumstances don’t apply.
If you are unsure whether you are still within the time limit to start the claiming process, or have any questions such as, ‘Can I claim for sexual abuse after reporting it years later?‘, you can contact our advisors.
What Will The CICA Need From You When Claiming For Criminal Injuries Compensation?
For all sexual abuse compensation claims being made through the CICA, the following evidence will need to be gathered and submitted to them:
- Proof that you meet the CICA’s residency and nationality requirements.
- Medical evidence of the criminal injuries you are claiming for. You can request a copy of your medical records from your healthcare provider.
- A crime reference number, which the police provide when you report the incident.
It’s important to note that you do not have to provide evidence of the crime itself or prove that the perpetrator was convicted. The CICA will be able to liaise with the police for any additional information they may need in regard to your claim.
Contact our team of advisors today to discuss your case and receive free advice.
Potential Adult Sexual Abuse Compensation
When asking, “Can I claim adult sexual abuse compensation?”, you may also be wondering how much compensation you could receive.
If you make a successful claim through the CICA, you will be awarded compensation for the injuries you suffered in the crime of violence.
CICA payouts for criminal injuries are based on a fixed set of tariffs that can be found in the CICA Scheme. This means that if your claim is successful, you will receive the exact amount that is listed for your injury.
Under the multiple injury formula, you could claim compensation for up to three injuries through the CICA. The CICA takes the set figure for each injury and awards:
- 100% of the figure for the highest-valued injury.
- 30% of the fixed tariff amount for the second-highest, or equal highest.
- 15% of the total typically awarded for the injury valued equal to, or less than, the one above.
Additional compensation could be awarded under a different tariff that is not subject to this formula if you contracted a sexually transmitted illness, lost a foetus or became pregnant from a crime of violence.
CICA Compensation Table
This table features some of the fixed tariff amounts listed in the Scheme. Please note, however, that the first entry has not been taken from this tariff of injuries.
| INJURY | SEVERITY | COMPENSATION | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual Abuse With Additional Damages | Severe | Up to £500,000 | Compensation for multiple physical and/or psychological injuries, plus special expenses payments covering factors like lost earnings and care fees. |
| Sexual Offence Where Victim is Any Age | Non-Consensual Penile Penetration Of The Mouth, Anus or Vagina | £44,000 | The abuse results in serious internal physical injury, plus severe mental illness. |
| Sexual Offence Where Victim is Any Age | Non-Consensual Penile Penetration Of The Mouth, Anus or Vagina | £33,000 | A medical report confirms moderate mental injury alongside serious internal bodily harm. |
| Sexual Offence Where Victim is Any Age | Non-Consensual Penile Penetration Of The Mouth, Anus or Vagina | £22,000 | The assault result in serious internal injuries. |
| Sexual Offence Where Victim is Any Age | Non-Consensual Penile Penetration Of The Mouth, Anus or Vagina | £13,500 | Abuse is carried out by two or more attackers. |
| Sexual Offence Where Victim is Any Age | Sexual Assault | £27,000 | The assault leads to severe mental illness that is permanently disabling. |
| Sexual Offence Where Victim is Any Age | Sexual Assault | £22,000 | The victim suffers serious internal bodily injuries. |
| Sexual Offence Where Victim is Any Age | Sexual Assault | £22,000 | Moderate mental illness, as confirmed by psychiatric prognosis, following the attack. |
| Mental Injury | Permanent Mental Injury | £27,000 | Seriously disabling illness, as confirmed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. |
| Mental Injury | Permanent Mental Injury | £19,000 | A clinical psychologist or psychiatrist declares the mental injury to be moderarely disabling. |
Claiming For Financial Losses In Sexual Abuse Claims
When making a sexual abuse claim through the CICA, you may also be eligible to receive special expenses. Under this, you could receive:
- Any physical aids that you depended upon that were damaged in the incident, such as your glasses.
- Care costs related to food preparation and your bodily functions.
- Equipment that is needed to help you cope with your injuries, such as specialist kitchen equipment.
- Home adaptations that are needed to help you cope with your injuries, such as the installation of a ramp.
You will need to demonstrate that these costs directly arose from your injuries and that they are reasonable and necessary. You must also show that they could not be obtained elsewhere for free.
The CICA can also provide compensation for a loss of earnings, but certain requirements will need to be met.
To find out what these requirements are, or for guidance on how to use a CICA claim calculator, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our advisors.
Make A CICA Claim Using A No Win No Fee Solicitor
You can claim through the CICA independently. However, if you would like guidance and support through the claiming process, a specialist sexual abuse claims solicitor from our panel could help you, provided you meet the eligibility requirements to claim.
One of the solicitors on our panel could offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement. With this No Win No Fee arrangement in place, there generally will be no upfront or running charges for their work on your claim. Additionally, the solicitor working on your case will not ask you to pay them for their services if your claim is unsuccessful.
If your claim is a success, your solicitor will take a success fee out of the compensation awarded to you. This fee is a small percentage that is legally capped. This helps to ensure that you keep the majority of what you receive.
Contact Our Team
Get in touch with our advisors today if you are wondering, ‘Can I claim adult sexual abuse compensation?’. They can check the eligibility of your case and may also connect you with an experienced No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel. They can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via the following contact methods:
- Call the number above.
- Contact us online.
- Send a message to us on live chat.
Learn More About Claiming For Adult Sexual Assault
Additional guides by us:
- Our guide to sexual abuse by a therapist explains when you could claim compensation.
- A collection of relevant sexual assault statistics and claim information.
- A guide providing examples of sexual abuse that you can make a CICA claim for.
These resources provide further guidance:
- Government guidance on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) explaining what you can claim from your employer for missing work through illness or injury.
- The CICA’s guide to criminal injuries compensation and how to apply.
- The charity Victim Support provides information on how you can get emotional support and guidance after a crime.
Contact our friendly team of advisors today if you are still wondering, ‘Can I claim adult sexual abuse compensation?’.
