How Do I Make A Compensation Claim For Sexual Abuse?

This guide will explain how to claim for sexual abuse and the eligibility criteria that can apply. We will explore what sexual abuse is as well as key aspects of the claims process. For example, we will look at the role of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) in criminal injury claims, the evidence that needs to be provided and how long you have to start the process of claiming. 

Claim for sexual abuse

How Do I Make A Compensation Claim For Sexual Abuse?

Furthermore, we will look at how compensation is valued in these kinds of claims. Lastly, this guide will address the steps you can take to make your case stronger, such as gathering evidence, as well as the advantages of working with a No Win No Fee solicitor. 

You could also speak to an advisor from our team who is available to provide you with free advice at a time that suits you best. To get in touch: 

  • Call the number at the top of the page
  • Use our pop-up chat feature below
  • Contact us online

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When Are You Eligible To Claim For Sexual Abuse?

The CICA is a government-sponsored executive agency that can award compensation to those who have sustained injuries in violent crime. According to the CICA, the definition of a crime of violence could include violent attacks, arson and sexual assault. 

To be entitled to claim through the CICA after being injured in a violent crime, the incident must have occurred in England, Scotland, Wales or another relevant place. In addition, it must have been reported to the police. 

If you have any questions about the eligibility criteria to claim for sexual abuse, please speak with an advisor from our team. 

What Is Classed As Sexual Abuse? 

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 is the key legislation in regard to sexual abuse. It states that sexual offences include:

  • Rape 
  • Sexual assault, including assault by penetration
  • Child sexual offences, which is where an adult engages in sexual contact with a child

Historic sexual abuse is a term used to describe abuse that someone who is now an adult. In some cases, you may be able to claim for this even if you’re outside the usual CICA claim time limit, which we will take a closer look at below. 

If you would like to find out whether you have a valid claim for sexual abuse, please do not hesitate to speak with an advisor from our team. 

Is There A Time Limit When Making CICA Claims?

You may be wondering, “can I claim for sexual abuse after reporting it years later?”. There is a time limit that applies to criminal injury claims made through the CICA. Generally, you have 2 years to start the claims process when looking to claim for sexual abuse. This time limitation begins when you report the abuse to the police. 

This is usually expected to be done straight away. However, if there is a delay that you can prove resulted from exceptional circumstances, this may be taken into account, and your claim could still be processed. 

You may have reported the incident right away, but exceptional circumstances meant that you were unable to claim within the specified two-year time limit. Similarly, in these cases, your claim could still be processed. 

If you would like more details regarding the time limit surrounding criminal injury claims, please get in touch with our advisors. 

Evidence That You Would Need In A CICA Claim

When making a claim for sexual abuse through the CICA, you will need to provide proof that you meet their eligibility requirements. This includes: 

  • Proof that you meet the residency requirements 
  • A police reference number
  • Medical evidence for any physical and/or psychological injuries. 
  • Proof of any financial losses incurred 

The CICA can liaise with the police for further information. For example, unspent criminal convictions can impact awards made through the CICA. 

If you would like more details regarding the evidence that is required when claiming, please get in touch with an advisor from our team. If your claim is legitimate, then you could be connected with a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel. 

What Compensation Could You Receive In Abuse Claims? 

If you make a successful claim for sexual abuse, you could be awarded compensation for the different ways in which the incident has impacted you. For instance, your payout will compensate for any pain and suffering that you’ve experienced. This includes both physical and psychological harm, such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). You can claim for short and long-term effects of sexual abuse.

In place of a sexual abuse compensation calculator, we have compiled a table of compensation amounts that have been taken from the tariff of injuries outlined in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. When claiming for multiple injuries, you could receive: 

  • The full payment for the highest-valued injury
  • 30% for the injury with the second highest or equal value
  • 15% for the injuries with the third-highest or equal value 

You cannot claim for more than 3 injuries using the main tariff. However, you could receive a payment from another tariff that isn’t subject to this formula, such as if you contract a sexually transmitted infection as a result of the crime.

CICA Injury Tariff Amounts

We have included CICA payouts from the tariff in the table below. 

InjuryTarriff amountDetails
Non-consensual penile penetration£44,000Serious internal injuries and ongoing disabling severe mental illness.
£22,000Serious internal injuries and ongoing disabling moderate mental illness.
£22,000Causing permanent and disabling moderate mental illness.
£13,500More than one assailant.
£11,000One assailant.
Sexual assault£27,000Causes severe mental illness that is permanently disabling.
£22,000Causes moderate mental illness that is permanently disabling.
£22,000Causing severe internal injuries.
£8,200Recurring severe abuse by one or more attackers that continues for more than 3 years
£6,600Recurring serious abuse by one or more attackers that continues for up to 3 years

Special Expenses In A Sexual Abuse Claim

You may also be awarded compensation for special expenses sustained as the result of a crime of violence. This could cover the following: 

  • Equipment that you needed as a physical aid, for example, a hearing aid, that was broken in the incident
  • Medical costs
  • Home adaptations 
  • Loss of earnings 
  • Care costs 

Our advisors can provide you with a more personalised analysis in terms of how much compensation you could receive; just get in touch for free advice.

Make A CICA Claim Today Using Our Panel Of No Win No Fee Solicitors 

One of the sexual abuse solicitors from our panel could represent you with a No Win No Fee agreement in place. If they offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), this means that there are generally no fees to be paid for your solicitor’s services upfront or throughout the claims process. 

Furthermore, you won’t be asked to pay your lawyer for the services they’ve provided if your claim is a success. However, a legally limited success fee will be deducted from your compensation to be paid to your sexual assault solicitor if your claim is a success. 

If you would like to see whether you are entitled to be represented on a No Win No Fee basis, please get in touch with an advisor from our team. To get in contact: 

  • Call the number at the top of the page
  • Use our pop-out chat
  • Contact us online

Learn More About Making A Claim For Sexual Abuse

Here are some more of our own guides that may be useful regarding sexual abuse claims:

Moreover, we have included additional reading that you could find beneficial:

Thank you for reading this guide on how to claim for sexual abuse. If you have any other questions, please speak with an advisor from our team.

Writer Beck Pull

Publisher Fern Scrimshaw