Sexual Abuse Claims

Claims to the CICA should ideally be made within two years of the incident or abuse, or two years from the date of reporting the matter to the police.

For someone who was the victim of abuse when they were a child, they have until their 20th birthday to make their application.

However, because this is a highly sensitive area of law, where victims find it difficult to come forward, the time limits can be extended in certain circumstances, so we recommend that you take advice whatever your circumstances.

You do not need to wait until criminal court proceedings have been concluded in order to make a sexual abuse compensation claim. Clients often tell us they have been advised to wait until after criminal court hearings have been completed, but we always recommend seeking access to justice as soon as possible.

Yes. We handle many cases where the abuser has died, even though the issue was never subject to a police investigation when they were alive.

Criminal injuries claims can be pursued, particularly if there is evidence from other potential victims who independently make similar allegations that are consistent in terms of the kind of abuse and circumstance.

The burden of proof is less in civil claims than in criminal cases. If enough evidence can be presented to demonstrate that sexual abuse was likely to have happened, claims can be successful.

Depending on your case, damages could be through the CICA scheme, or perhaps against a state body which has failed in its duty to protect you from harm including police forces, local authorities, or religious organisations.

If your claim is made through the CICA, a clear tariff of compensation is set out for survivors of sexual crimes. Compensation for sexual abuse victims in the UK range from £1,000 to £44,000, with certain levels of compensation only available for child sexual assault.

Awards can be higher if you have a suffered psychological injuries.

Cases that are against individuals, organisations, and state bodies will not follow the above tariff and our lawyers will advise you about the potential damages you could receive.

You can find out more about the compensation we have secured in our ‘Client Stories’.

The legal process can vary in length depending upon the evidence available to us and the considerations needed to ensure we can pursue the maximum possible compensation on your behalf.

We always make sure we work at a pace that our clients are comfortable with, whilst ensuring we meet the required deadlines to keep your case progressing towards a conclusion and that we complete all required investigations.

If you were abused or assaulted by someone you lived with you can claim compensation under the CICA scheme.

The scrapping of the ‘same roof rule’ in 2019 has paved the way for thousands of people to make new claims or appeal those previously rejected.

If you have previously been denied a settlement or told not to pursue a case due to the ‘same roof rule’, get in touch to start your claim.

According to the CICA around 30% of its awards were changed following a successful appeal.

Applicants who disagree with a decision can request a review and, if still dissatisfied can appeal to an independent panel.

In one case our client, with the specialist support of our CICA claims experts, was eventually awarded almost £130,000 for physical and mental injuries following an earlier offer of £1,500.

Hudgell Solicitors are experts in Criminal Injuries Compensation Awards, we understand that as a victim of crime, how much compensation you are awarded from CICA, could depend on the evidence you submit with your claim.

Free legal advice could lead to a substantial increase to your CICA award.

Yes. Our focus is always on ensuring those who seek our help know they can do so with complete confidentiality, whether they initially turn to us for an informal discussion and general advice or wish to discuss the sexual abuse they suffered or was suffered by someone they know.

This means that your lawyer will be under obligation to keep identities secret and all the information you confide in us with.

We will always ask you first if you are comfortable with the information you provide to us being shared with others as part of the legal process, such as the CICA, and all information shared will of course remain strictly confidential, regardless of the outcome.