Generally, you expect the police to behave in a professional manner regardless of how you come into contact with them. However, there are times when an abuse of authority may occur. In these circumstances, you might be eligible to seek compensation by making a police sexual misconduct claim.
This guide will supply information about how victims of police sexual assault might be able to seek compensation through a criminal injury claim. Police sexual misconduct victims could include:
- Members of the public.
- Those who committed crimes themselves and were sexually abused by the police.
- Other serving police officers and support staff.
- Victims of other crimes who suffered a sexual assault when reporting the incident.
- Those in relationships with a police officer and other family members who suffered domestic sexual abuse.
We examine how the police force the officer worked for may be considered a vicariously liable party and held accountable for the actions of their employees. Additionally, we look at how compensation could be awarded in successful claims for police sexual misconduct.
If you want to file a compensation claim for sexual abuse, you may like to do so with legal representation. This guide concludes with a look at how a solicitor can support your claim for police sexual misconduct compensation on a No Win No Fee basis.
If you have any questions about how to claim compensation for police misconduct, please speak with a member of our advisory team. To discuss police sexual misconduct claims in more detail, you can:
- Call 0333 091 8597
- Fill in our contact us form and an advisor will call you.
- Ask about sexual abuse compensation in our live chat.
Select A Section
- Can You Make A Police Sexual Misconduct Claim?
- How To Make A Police Sexual Misconduct Claim
- How Much Compensation For Police Sexual Abuse?
- How Can We Help You Make A Police Sexual Misconduct Claim?
- Read More About Claiming For Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour
Can You Make A Police Sexual Misconduct Claim?
Police officers are expected to adhere to the Police (Conduct) Regulations 1999. These regulations act as a Code of Conduct and govern the way police are expected to behave while on duty and, in some circumstances, while off duty. This includes behaviour regarding abuse of authority and honesty and integrity.
Sexual misconduct covers various behaviours of a sexual nature, such as harassment, violence, assault, grooming, coercing, sexual invitations and demands, as well as promising resources in exchange for sexual favours. These behaviours are against the Code of Conduct police officers must follow.
If you experienced any of the behaviours above, you could be eligible to make a police sexual misconduct claim. Generally, this will be filed against the police force the officer worked for if they are found vicariously liable for the conduct of their employees, including serving police officers. For example, the force is expected to carry out appropriate background checks on anyone applying to work for them. If they fail to do so, and an officer with a history of sexual misconduct is hired and goes on to commit sexual abuse, the force could be held responsible.
Additionally, claims for police sexual misconduct must be filed within the relevant time limits. For criminal injury claims made against a vicariously liable third party, this is generally three years from the date of the incident. However, exceptions could apply. You can get in touch with our team to learn more about these.
Other Ways To Claim Sexual Misconduct Compensation
In some cases, you may be able to make a police sexual misconduct claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) where no other avenue is available for you to do so. The CICA handle compensation claims for those who have sustained mental or physical injuries as the result of a violent crime in England, Scotland or Wales. The CICA is a last resort and if you are able to claim elsewhere, you should.
However, the claiming criteria for seeking compensation through the CICA are different from those for bringing a claim against a vicariously liable party. Call our advisors to talk about making a CICA claim or find out if you are eligible to claim compensation against a vicariously liable police force.
Statistics Related To Police Sexual Misconduct
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) oversee complaints about the police in England and Wales. As part of this role, they collect police complaints statistics for England and Wales. Experimental statistics for 2020/21 published on the 1st of November 2021 include numbers on:
- Abuse of position/corruption at a total of 1,490 complaints across several forces.
- Sexual conduct amounted to 199 complaints.
Of the 1,490 complaints about abuse of position:
- 52 relate to abuse of position for sexual purposes.
- 35 of these complaints relate to abuse of position for the purpose of pursuing an inappropriate emotional relationship.
Of the 199 complaints of sexual conduct:
- 128 relate to sexual assault.
- 23 relate to sexual harassment.
- 48 were other sexual conduct complaints.
How To Make A Police Sexual Misconduct Claim
When you make a criminal injury claim, you will generally be expected to gather evidence. This evidence needs to prove liability for the sexual abuse you suffered.
Evidence that could be useful when making a police sexual misconduct claim includes:
- A copy of any complaints you filed. For example, if you made a complaint to the IOPC.
- Witness contact details. If anyone saw what happened, or any part of an incident, you could note their contact information so they can provide witness statements later on.
- A copy of your medical records. If you sought medical advice following the incident, your medical records can help show what impact the incident is expected to have on your life.
If you are making your claim for police sexual assault through the CICA, the evidence you need to provide can differ. For example, they can liaise with the police to get evidence pertaining to the incident. Call our advisors to find out more.
What Are Recent Examples Of Police Sexual Assault?
There have been numerous high-profile incidents of police sexual misconduct, including:
- Wayne Couzens. The police officer who was found guilty and charged for the murder of Sarah Everard worked for three police forces who had several opportunities to prevent this incident. Couzens had been linked to a number of sexual incidents, including reports of indecent exposure in 2015 and 2020. In February 2021, two separate incidents of flashing were also reported. However, no action was taken against him.
- David Carrick. Carrick was another serving police officer with the Metropolitan Police. In 2023, he pleaded guilty to 49 charges covering 85 offences, including rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, sexual assault and false imprisonment against 12 victims. He would charm his victims and then use his position as a serving police officer to prevent them from leaving or reporting the incidents. Between 2000-2021, he came to police attention over nine incidents, including rape, domestic violence and harassment allegations.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68418971
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68325584
How Much Compensation For Police Sexual Abuse?
The amount of compensation you receive and what your payout comprises will differ depending on how you make your claim. For example, if you make a successful police sexual misconduct claim against a vicariously liable party, your settlement could consist of two parts. These are general damages (compensation for the physical pain and mental health harm caused by the incident) and special damages (for the financial impact of the sexual abuse).
When valuing the physical and mental impact of police sexual abuse, those responsible for doing so, such as sexual abuse solicitors or other legal professionals, may refer to the guideline compensation amounts found in the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).
In our table below, we look at how compensation could be awarded in a successful claim for the effects of inappropriate sexual behaviour. The top row looks at how you could be compensated for both the sexual abuse and the financial impact. In the following rows, we look at figures for sexual and physical abuse from the 17th edition of the JCG. Please note, that the top row figure was not taken from the JCG. In addition, all compensation claims are different, therefore this table does not represent final sexual abuse settlements.
| Injury | Severity | Notes | Compensation Guideline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Severe Sexual Abuse and Special Damages | Very Severe | Settlements could include compensation for the physical and mental impact of sexual abuse and the financial harm caused, such as lost wages. | Up to £500,000+ |
| Sexual and/or Physical Abuse | Severe | The claimant suffered serious abuse over a prolonged amount of time and severe or moderately severe prolonged psychological injury. | £109,830 to £183,050 |
| Moderately Severe | Serious abuse and/or severe or moderately severe and prolonged psychological injury has occurred. | £54,920 to £109,830 | |
| Moderate | The abuse has been less serious and prolonged with a less severe psychological reaction. | £25,100 to £54,920 | |
| Less Severe | There has been less serious and short-lived abuse with a mild or quickly resolved psychological injury. | £11,870 to £25,100 |
In addition to general damages, some claimants may be awarded special damages as part of their police sexual misconduct claim settlement. Examples of special damages in claims for police sexual misconduct include:
- Loss of earnings.
- Therapy costs.
- Medication costs.
- The cost of relocating from your home.
As part of the sexual abuse claims process, you may need to submit proof of your out of pocket expenses, such as receipts and wage slips.
Compensation claimed through the CICA is awarded and calculated differently. Please speak to an advisor to learn more.
How Can We Help You Make A Police Sexual Misconduct Claim?
If you are eligible to claim compensation for police sexual assault, you may like to have the support of a solicitor during the claims process. One of the sexual abuse claims solicitors from our panel could help with your police sexual misconduct claim. Our panel generally offer a No Win No Fee service under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
This means that your solicitor:
- Doesn’t ask you to pay upfront for their work on your sexual assault compensation claim.
- Won’t expect you to cover ongoing expenses.
- Doesn’t take a payment if your claim fails.
- Only takes a small percentage of your award as a success fee if your claim succeeds. This amount is legally limited.
If you have any questions about claiming police sexual misconduct compensation, please get in touch with a member of our advisory team. Additionally, if you meet the eligibility requirements, you could be connected to a sexual abuse solicitor from our panel.
To discuss compensation for police sexual misconduct:
- Call 0333 091 8597
- Request a call from an advisor by filling in our contact us form.
- Ask about claiming with the support of a No Win No Fee solicitor in our live chat.
Read More About Claiming For Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour
Here are a few more guides about claiming for sexual assault:
- Guidance on making historical abuse claims for compensation.
- Details about what counts as sexual abuse and how to claim through the CICA.
- Information about sexual abuse in organisations compensation claims.
External resources that might be useful:
- Details about reporting rape or sexual assault from the government.
- Information about how to get help following rape and sexual assault from the NHS.
- Guidance and support from Rape Crisis for those who have been affected by any form of sexual abuse and violence.
Direct any further questions you have about starting a police sexual misconduct claim to an advisor today. You can use the details provided above to get in touch.
