Sexual abuse is categorised as a crime of violence by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This Ministry of Justice-sponsored agency was established for the purpose of offering victims of violent crimes a method of claiming compensation. This is delivered through their administration of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012.
In this guide, we examine what counts as sexual abuse and when you could be eligible to make a claim through the CICA.
As well as examining the eligibility criteria to claim, we will provide information on what compensation can be awarded per the 2012 Scheme Tariff of Injury. You also see an explanation of the evidence required to support your CICA claim.
The penultimate section of our guide offers a brief rundown of the No Win No Fee contract our panel of dedicated sexual abuse claims solicitors can offer and how this presents considerable advantages to you.
To get further advice or a free consultation regarding your eligibility to begin a criminal injury claim, speak to one of our friendly and experienced advisors today using any of the contact information given here:
- Call the number at the top of this page.
- Fill in the “Contact Us” here.
- Use the live chat bubble at the bottom of your screen.
Browse Our Guide
- What Counts As Sexual Abuse And When Can You Claim?
- How Long Do You Have To Claim Sexual Abuse Compensation Through The CICA?
- What Do You Need To Make A Sexual Abuse Claim Through The CICA?
- How Much Compensation Could You Receive When Making A Claim For Sexual Abuse?
- Use No Win No Fee Sexual Abuse Claims Solicitors To Claim CICA Compensation
- More Resources About What Counts As Sexual Abuse And Claiming Compensation
What Counts As Sexual Abuse And When Can You Claim?
Sexual abuse, as well as other sexual offences, are compensated under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 as crimes of violence.
The CICA provides an avenue of claim to victims of violent crimes, although this is intended as a method of last resort. If you can claim through other means, such as against the perpetrator themselves or through a vicarious liability claim against an institution such as a school, you should do so. This is something we can help with if you get in touch.
In order to begin a claim for sexual abuse through the CICA, you will need to show:
- That you were the victim of a crime of violence compensated by the 2012 Scheme.
- That this crime occurred in Great Britain or another relevant place.
- This crime was reported to the Police.
The definition of sexual assault as per Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 is the non-censual sexual touching of another. This can include historical abuse that occurred while you were still a child.
Our advisors have significant experience in assessing criminal injury claims. To get more advice on what counts as sexual abuse or to get a zero-cost consultation regarding your particular circumstances. Get in touch today using the contact information given above.
How Long Do You Have To Claim Sexual Abuse Compensation Through The CICA?
Criminal injury claims are usually subject to a time limit of two years from the date the crime was reported to the police. The crime should be reported straight away; however, in cases with exceptional circumstances, extensions can apply.
For claims made regarding historical abuse that occurred when the victim was a minor, the claim must be brought by your 20th birthday for crimes reported when you were under 18. The 2-year limit applies if you reported the crime as an adult.
An amendment to the Scheme was brought in 2019 that allowed victims of domestic sexual abuse to begin criminal injury claims against family members who lived under the same roof. Although a deadline of 13th June 2021 was put in place, accepting claims after this is down to the CICA’s discretion, so you could still make a claim for sexual abuse if you are reporting it years later.
To get more guidance on the relevant time limits and if any exceptional circumstances apply to your potential claim, speak to our team today.
What Do You Need To Make A Sexual Abuse Claim Through The CICA?
Reporting the crime to the police is just one of the requirements when making a claim through CICA. You will need to provide the following supporting evidence:
- Your crime reference number. This is why the crime must be reported to the police in order to begin a claim.
- Proof you meet the residency requirements.
- Medical evidence demonstrating the extent of your injuries. You could get support for costs related to acquiring medical documents if you make a claim using our service.
- Proof of any special expenses (which we explain below).
The CICA will not ask you to provide evidence the crime occurred. They will liaise with the police to obtain this information.
One of the specialist solicitors from our panel could support you with collecting evidence. Talk to our team today for a free assessment of your eligibility to claim. If eligible, a sexual abuse solicitor from our panel could not only assist you with acquiring evidence but also ensure your claim is brought within the relevant time limit.
How Much Compensation Could You Receive When Making A Claim For Sexual Abuse?
Now we have discussed what counts as sexual abuse, this section looks at what compensation you could receive following a successful CICA claim. Compensation is awarded in line with the 2012 Scheme tariff.
Compensation Table
This table provides some examples of CICA payouts. Please note that the tariff amounts are fixed and compensate for physical as well as psychological injury.
| Type of Injury | Tariff Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual Abuse With Other Damages | Up to £500,000 | Compensation for multiple injuries, special expenses and lost earnings. |
| Non-consensual penile penetration | £44,000 | Resulting in serious internal injuries in addition to severe and permanently disabling mental illness. |
| £22,000 | Pattern of repetitive incidents (by one or more attackers) over a period of at least 3 years. | |
| £11,000 | By one attacker. | |
| Sexual Assault | £27,000 | Repetitive and frequent abuse over a period of at least 3 years and resulting in permanent and severely disabling mental illness. |
| £22,000 | Frequent and severe abuse that causes severe internal injury. | |
| £3,300 | Non-penile penetration or oral-genital acts. | |
| Other payments | £22,000 | Infection with HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C. |
| £11,000 | Permanent disability as a result of infection with an STI other than HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C. | |
| £5,500 | Pregnancy. |
In cases involving more than one injury, the multiple injuries formula can be applied. What this means is you would receive:
- 100% of the tariff amount for the injury with the highest value.
- 30% for an injury with the second highest or an equal value tariff amount.
- 15% for an injury with the third highest or an equal value tariff amount.
Compensation under the Scheme can only be awarded for up to 3 injuries.
In cases where you contract an STI, become pregnant or lose a foetus as a result of the crime, you can receive an additional payment. This payment is from a separate tariff and is not subject to the multiple injuries formula.
Special Expenses
Some of the costs incurred because of your injuries may be reimbursed as part of your compensation, referred to as special expenses. This can include the repair or replacement of personal aid equipment, support with domestic tasks, or the management of your affairs.
Certain eligibility criteria need to be met in order to claim special expenses. For a more detailed estimate of what compensation you could receive as well as further guidance on what counts as sexual abuse, get in touch with our team today using the contact information given below.
Use No Win No Fee Sexual Abuse Claims Solicitors To Claim CICA Compensation
You can enquire further as to what counts as sexual abuse by speaking to our team of advisors. They can also assess the validity of your potential claim and put you in touch with a specialist sexual assault solicitor from our panel.
Our panel of solicitors can offer their services under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is a specific type of No Win No Fee contract. CFA’s present claimants with distinct benefits, including:
- No upfront fee for the solicitor to commence work on your claim in most cases.
- No ongoing fees as your claim progresses.
- No fee to pay if the claim fails.
The solicitor will take a pre-agreed and capped percentage of your awarded compensation as their success fee to cover their legal costs. Since the maximum percentage that solicitors can charge as their success is capped by law, you will keep most of any awarded compensation.
Our team of advisors are available to answer your questions at any time. They can also assess your eligibility to begin a claim free of charge. Contact them today using the information given here:
- Call the number at the top of this page.
- Fill in the “Contact Us” here.
- Use the live chat bubble at the bottom of your screen.
More Resources About What Counts As Sexual Abuse And Claiming Compensation
You can read more of our criminal injury claim guides here:
- Learn more about starting a claim following a sexual assault at work and what compensation you could receive.
- Find out how to make a claim for sexual abuse by your sister through the CICA.
- Read our guide on beginning a claim after sexual abuse by a doctor and what evidence you can use to support your claim.
We have also included links to external pages you may find useful:
- You can learn more about the non-profit Rape Crisis and how to get support on their website.
- Find out what non-recent abuse is and how you can get support from the NSPCC.
- Get help after rape and sexual assault with this NHS webpage.
Thank you for taking the time to read this guide on what counts as sexual abuse. You can speak to our advisors for further guidance 24 hours a day via the contact information given above.
