The long term effects of sexual abuse can have a serious impact on your daily life. You have the right to seek compensation if you meet the eligibility requirements, though you may be uncertain as to how you can proceed.
Essential Information
- Sexual abuse can have many psychological and physical effects on the impacted person.
- Compensation for sexual abuse includes an evaluation of the varied effects the person has experienced in terms of their pain and suffering. They may also recover some of the financial losses they have experienced.
- You may claim against a perpetrator or a liable 3rd party. Many claims of this nature are also made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
- You generally have 2 years to begin a CICA claim, starting from the date of the incident. However, we explain when exceptional circumstances may change this time frame.
- If you are eligible, one of our expert solicitors can help you to make a criminal injury claim. They have decades of combined experience and know how to navigate the legal system efficiently.
Speak with our advisors today for straightforward answers to any questions you may have. They have handled many similar enquiries and can let you know whether you are able to proceed with a criminal injury claim. You could even be connected with one of our solicitors who will support you throughout the process. However, there is no pressure to decide whether you wish to claim, as our advice is offered without any strings attached.
- Complete our online enquiry form
- Speak to us on the phone at 0333 091 8597
- Use the online chat pop-up in the corner of this page
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Claim For The Long Term Effects Of Sexual Abuse?
- What Are The Long Term Effects Of Sexual Abuse?
- What Factors Can Impact The Effects?
- How Can The Impacts Of Sexual Abuse Be Treated?
- What Compensation Could I Be Awarded For The Affects Caused?
- How Can SACA Help Me?
- More Information
Can I Claim For The Long Term Effects Of Sexual Abuse?
You can claim compensation for the long term effects of sexual abuse if you meet the appropriate criteria. In this section, we will outline 2 different ways of making a criminal injury claim.
Claiming Against A Perpetrator Or 3rd Party
Firstly, there is sometimes an option to make a criminal injury claim directly against a perpetrator or 3rd party. In order to claim against the perpetrator, you must be aware of their identity and know that they would be capable of paying any compensation owed. However, most sexual abuse claims are made against a vicariously liable party or through the CICA.
You can claim against a vicariously liable 3rd party under certain circumstances. In order to do so, the following must apply:
- A 3rd party owed a duty of care to you
- They failed to act according to their duty
- You experienced sexual assault as a result
In simple terms, a duty of care defines the responsibility of a person or organisation to follow the appropriate laws in place that protect people’s wellbeing.
For example, your employer must take reasonable steps to ensure your safety in the workplace. This is due to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA). Therefore, if you tell your employer that a colleague has been threatening you with sexual assault, they have a duty to take certain measures to protect you. If they fail to take action and your colleague assaults you, you could be eligible to claim against your employer.
Claiming Through The CICA
Another way to claim compensation for sexual assault is through the CICA. This is the agency responsible for paying compensation to victims of violent crime in Great Britain. However, this route should only be taken as a last resort if it is not possible to claim by other means.
If you wish to proceed through the CICA, you must have:
- Reported the incident to the police
- Suffered injuries as a result of a violent crime, such as sexual or physical assault, abuse or arson
- Started your claim within the time limit (you can keep reading for further details of this)
- Experienced the crime in England, Wales, Scotland or another applicable place (this could include a ship that is registered to 1 of the listed countries)
How Long Do I Have To Claim Through CICA?
You usually have 2 years to claim compensation for the long term effects of sexual abuse through the CICA. Typically, this time period will start from the date on which the violent crime happened.
However, this is not always the case. Under exceptional circumstances, you may be able to claim at a later date. The CICA assesses these circumstances on an individual basis.
If you were under 18 when the abuse occurred, the following may apply:
- You have 2 years to start a claim after your 18th birthday if a police report was made and no one else has claimed on your behalf
- You have 2 years to start a claim after making a police report, though you must prove that exceptional circumstances prevented you from reporting the incident when it happened or soon after
Please note that different time limits apply when claiming against a vicariously liable party. We understand that it can be difficult to determine what route to take and how the time limit applies to your specific case. Our advisors are available 24/7 to give you the direct answers you need.
What Are The Long Term Effects Of Sexual Abuse?
The long term effects of sexual abuse are varied. There can be physical and psychological effects. Keep reading for more specific details.
Effects On Mental Health
In terms of the effects on a person’s mental health, sexual abuse can cause the following:
- Depression
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders (such as bulimia or anorexia)
- Anxiety
- Panic disorder
- Insomnia
- Substance abuse
Effects On Emotional Wellbeing
Sexual abuse can bring up a lot of complex emotions for the affected person. It is common to experience self-esteem issues, paired with feelings of shame and distrust. This can make it difficult to maintain or create new relationships, causing further isolation.
Effects On Physical Health
People generally think of psychological factors when considering the long term effects of sexual abuse. However, there can also be physical complications. These include:
- Early onset puberty (this may apply to those experiencing abuse at a young age)
- Self-harm
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Reproductive health issues
There are further issues associated with sexual abuse that may not have been included in our list. When assessing compensation, legal professionals will consider the full impact that the individual has experienced. You can speak to our advisors today if you have any further questions.
What Factors Can Impact The Effects?
There are many factors that can impact the effects of abuse. These include the following:
- The age of the person experiencing abuse
- Who committed the abuse (such as a member of your family or a trusted person)
- How long the abuse went on for
- Whether the impacted person was able to get help
If you have any questions about these factors or the long-term effects of sexual abuse, you can speak with an advisor today.
How Can The Impacts Of Sexual Abuse Be Treated?
There are several methods of treatment when it comes to the long-term effects of sexual abuse. You may benefit from:
- Therapy
- Counselling
- Medication
There is no singular way to experience the effects of abuse, so professional help can make it a lot easier to deal with the impact.
Getting Support After Sexual Abuse
There are also many charities and services available that aim to help those affected by sexual abuse. We have included some links below that may help you:
What Compensation Could I Be Awarded For The Affects Caused?
The compensation for the long term effects of sexual abuse will be assessed based on your individual circumstances. If your case is made against a vicariously liable 3rd party, legal professionals will consider how much is owed under general damages. This is the part of the compensation that covers the pain and suffering associated with the sexual abuse.
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) may be used when evaluating general damages. This legal document establishes compensation guideline brackets that are based on different types and severities of injury. You can view the table below for some examples. Additionally, you may also be able to recover any out-of-pocket expenses associated with the abuse under special damages. For example, you could recover your therapy costs if you can prove them with invoices.
Please note that these figures are only provided as guidelines. With civil claims of this nature, there is no guarantee of how much you could be owed. However, you have the option to get a free initial case assessment from one of our advisors. By asking for the specific details of your case, they can provide you with a more accurate estimate of what your potential compensation could cover.
The first figure was not taken from the JCG.
| Type of Injury | Severity | Compensation Guideline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple injuries with financial harm | Severe | Up to £500,000+ | Multiple types of harm with the associated costs, such as lost income |
| Reproductive system: female | Infertility due to injury/disease with sexual dysfunction and further complications | £140,210 to £207,260 | Infertility paired with dysfunction, anxiety, pain and severe depression |
| Sexual dysfunction which is likely to permanently effect a person who already has children or would not have had children anyway | £52,490 to £124,620 | This may apply to cases where the claimants has experienced significant medical complications, such as multiple surgeries | |
| Infertility without aggrevanting factors | £68,440 to £87,070 | Claimant will be a young person without children experienced no sexual dysfunction | |
| Sexual And/Or Physical Abuse | Severe | £109,830 to £183,050 | Serious abuse over a prolonged time along with severe/moderately severe and prolonged psychiatric injury. |
| Moderately Severe | £54,920 to £109,830 | Either serious abuse or severe/moderately severe prolonged psychiatric injury. | |
| Psychiatric damage generally | Severe (a) | £66,920 to £141,240 | There are various factors to consider, including the potential success of treatment and how the person's relationships have been affected |
| Moderately severe (b) | £23,270 to £66,920 | The individual will experience issues that are similar to severe cases but with a much better prognosis | |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Severe (a) | £73,050 to £122,850 | The affected person will experienced permanent impact, preventing them from working as they did before the psychological injury |
| Moderately severe (b) | £28,250 to £73,050 | There will be a better prognosis when compared with severe cases, though the claimant will experience significant impact |
However, if you claim compensation through the CICA, your compensation will not be valued in the same way as a civil claim. Rather than using compensation guidelines, the CICA uses compensation tariffs from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. These are based on different injuries associated with violent crime.
We have included some of these tariffs in the table below. Unlike the JCG, these are not suggestive guidelines. Rather, they are set figures that will apply to part of the compensation.
The first figure in the table below was not provided by the CICA scheme.
| Type of Harm | Compensation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple types of harm with financial costs | Up to £500,000 | Multiple types of harm with compensation for the associated expenses, such as a loss of income |
| Non-consensual penile penetration of one or more vagina, mouth or anus | £44,000 | Serious internal bodily harm resulting in permanent and severe mental illness. |
| £33,000 | Serious internal bodily harm resulting in permanent and moderate mental illness. | |
| £27,000 | Permanent mental illness that is severe and disabling. | |
| Sexual assault | £27,000 | Resulting in permanent mental illness that is disabling and severe |
| £22,000 | Resulting in permanent mental illness that is disabling and moderate | |
| £22,000 | Whereby the claimant experiences serious bodily harm over a period of 3 years or more | |
| £8,200 | Abuse that is frequent and severe over a period of 3 years or longer | |
| £6,600 | Abuse that is frequent and severe over a period up to 3 years |
Special Expenses
In addition, the CICA may pay compensation for special expenses. These are the costs that are associated with the harm you have suffered and the recovery process. Examples of the costs you could recover include:
- Administration costs- this can apply if you need to pay for help with the handling of your affairs due to mental incapacity
- Any special equipment that you have to pay to replace due to it being destroyed during the assault (this could be a pair of glasses or a hearing aid)
- The costs of adaptations to make your home suitable for your injuries (for example, a stairlift)
- Payments for care- you may require professional help to go about your daily tasks
- Supervision costs- you may need to pay for supervision if you pose a danger to yourself or others
Additionally, some claimants can recover lost earnings under certain circumstances. You can speak with an advisor today for further information about special expenses or any other topics covered in our guide.
How Can SACA Help Me?
One of our solicitors can help claim for the long term effects of sexual abuse on a No Win No Fee contract. This means that, should you meet the eligibility requirements, they can offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Therefore, you will not have to pay a fee for your solicitor’s work:
- Before the start of your criminal injury claim
- While the case is proceeding
- If you are not given compensation for sexual assault
However, if you do receive compensation, you must pay a success fee. This is a percentage of the compensation that you owe to your lawyer. There is a legal cap on the percentage to ensure that you take home the largest share of the compensation, regardless of the success fee.
Working with one of our solicitors also means that you could benefit from these excellent legal services:
- Assistance with the collection of evidence that is required of the CICA (this includes proof of your residency and medical information)
- Helping you to appeal the CICA’s decision if you feel that it is not fair
- Handling correspondence with the CICA as your representative
- Outlining the specific costs that you could be eligible to recover through the CICA
- Advising you on the best way to claim for the long term effects of sexual abuse
Contact Our Team Of Sexual Abuse Advisors
You can contact an advisor at Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice to learn more about how to claim criminal injury compensation. Whether you are seeking general advice about the long term effects of sexual abuse or would like to proceed with one of our solicitors, our advisors can help you. There is no pressure to work with us after making an enquiry, as we understand that starting a claim of this nature can be a big decision.
- Complete our online enquiry form
- Speak to us on the phone at 0333 091 8597
- Use the online chat pop-up in the corner of this page
More Information
Visit our other guides below:
- Find out how to claim compensation for sexual abuse by a teacher
- Learn about claiming compensation for rape
- Read our guidance on sexual abuse in health and social care
External resources:
- Visit the NHS page on help after rape and sexual assault
- Read the statistics on sexual offences in England and Wales
- Use this web page to find your local sexual assault and rape referral centre
Thank you for reading our guide on the long term effects of sexual abuse.
