Historical Abuse Claims & Compensation
Non-recent child abuse, also known as historical abuse, refers to instances where adults were subjected to abuse during childhood or adolescence, under the age of 18. Victims of such abuse often carry the burden of guilt or self-blame, but it’s essential to understand that abuse is never the fault of the victim.
Whether you’ve recently come to terms with past abuse or have carried the burden for years, it’s important to recognize that support is available. Abuse can manifest as a singular event or occur repeatedly over time (period of abuse), regardless of how long ago it happened or the circumstances surrounding it.
Seeking Support and Justice, How Can We Help?
Regardless of the duration or severity of the abuse, victims have the right to seek justice and compensation. There are avenues for support, even if the abuse occurred decades ago. It’s never too late to take action and pursue the justice and closure you deserve.
If you’ve experienced historical abuse and are considering seeking compensation or support, our team is here to assist you. We understand the sensitivity and complexity of these cases and provide compassionate guidance throughout the process.
Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Historical Sexual Abuse
Childhood abuse, even if it occurred in the past, can have profound and lasting effects on an individual’s life. The repercussions extend beyond the initial trauma and can impact various aspects of health, relationships, and overall well-being.
The effects of abuse can span a lifetime, hindering physical and mental health, disrupting relationships, and impeding personal development. Victims may struggle to cope with daily stresses, face challenges in employment, and encounter difficulties in fulfilling their parental roles. You may also develop mental health problems and drug or alcohol issues.
The long-term effects of abuse and neglect can manifest in various ways, including:
- Emotional difficulties such as anger, anxiety, sadness, or low self-esteem.
- Mental health disorders like depression, eating disorders, self-harm, or suicidal ideation.
- Substance abuse issues involving drugs or alcohol.
- Persistent disturbing thoughts, emotions, and memories associated with the abuse.
- Decline in physical health due to the cumulative impact of trauma.
- Challenges in parenting and maintaining healthy relationships.
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Reporting Historical Sexual Abuse: Taking Control of Your Story
It’s natural to feel apprehensive about reporting historical abuse and worry about the potential outcomes. However, it’s essential to understand that it’s never too late to speak out about the abuse you experienced. You have the right to choose whether or not to report, and no one should pressure or coerce you into any decision.
Some individuals choose to report historical abuse to prevent the perpetrator from harming others or to find closure and begin the healing process. If you’re considering making a historical abuse claim with CICA (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority), reporting the incident to the police and obtaining a crime reference number is required.
If you decide to report, you can reach out to the police to discuss your experiences. Regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred, you have the option to report it. You can initiate the process by calling 101 and providing a brief overview of your situation. The authorities will ensure you’re connected with the appropriate support team to guide you through the process.
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How much can the CICA award for sexual assault and sexual abuse claims?
Our sexual abuse calculator in the main menu will help you with estimating the potential compensation that may be paid in respect of your sexual abuse claim. However, be aware that figures do vary considerably depending upon the nature (severity) of the abuse, period of suffering and whether any mental harm has been caused. Some common example award payouts are listed below relevant to sexual assault and sexual abuse claims:
If you suffer from mental illness you can only claim for this element if you have a condition diagnosed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. This is the standard of evidence that the CICA (very unreasonably) require. The following awards are paid for such cases:
You can only receive one main award, so you will not be compensated for both the abuse itself and also any mental health condition. You receive the higher award from the two categories.
How do you know if you are eligible to make a historical abuse compensation claim with CICA?
In order to apply for compensation for historical abuse from the CICA , you need to meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:
- You must have reported the incident to the police and have a crime reference number;
- The police must be able to investigate thoroughly with your full cooperation;
- You must submit your claim to the CICA within 2 years of going to the police*.
*It may be possible to claim after the deadline where the victim suffers from mental health problems or has an exceptional reason for any delay in submitting the claim.
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Do I need an expert advice regarding my claim?
Historic abuse claims are inevitably more complex due to the passage of time. A expert CICA solicitor can check and advice you if you are eligible before you decide whether you want to make a claim. We offer ‘No Win, No Fee” arrangement for all CICA cases we accept. You can call us on 0333 996 9988 for a free no-obligation advice regarding your case.
How is a historical claim more difficult than a recent sexual abuse case?
There are mainly two problem with historical sexual abuse cases:
- Was the abuse ever reported to the police? Often victims are children, so they do not know exactly what happened.
- Even if the incident was reported to police say in the 1970s, how can you obtain the crime reference number from police, which you need before you make a claim.
What is sexual abuse & sexual assault?
Sexual abuse can take many different forms, but one thing remains the same: it’s never the victim’s fault. The term sexual abuse refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim.
Sexual consent is where someone agrees by choice to sexual activity and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice. Someone may not have the freedom and capacity to consent if they are:
It is important to know that sexual consent:
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What is Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme?
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in the UK is a government-run program that provides financial compensation to individuals who have been physically or mentally injured as a result of violent crime. The compensation is paid to those who have suffered injury and can demonstrate that the injury was sustained as a direct result of a crime of violence.
To be eligible for compensation, the crime must have been reported to the police and the victim must have cooperated with the police investigation and prosecution. The amount of compensation awarded is based on a tariff system and can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds, depending on the severity of the injury and other factors.
The purpose of this scheme is to provide financial support to victims of violent crime who have been physically or mentally injured as a result of the crime. The compensation is intended to help cover the cost of medical expenses (which are not covered by NHS or recoverable from any other source), lost income, and other expenses related to the injury.
What Payments Are Available From The Scheme?
CICA will consider claims for the following injuries, medical conditions and special expenses:
- mental or physical injury following a crime of violence;
- sexual or physical abuse;
- loss of earnings – where you have no or limited capacity to work as the direct result of a criminal injury;
- special expenses payments – these cover certain costs you may have incurred as a direct result of an incident. You can only ask us to consider special expenses if your injuries mean you have been unable to work or have been incapacitated to a similar extent for more than 28 weeks;
- a fatality caused by a crime of violence including bereavement payments, payments for loss of parental services and financial dependency; and funeral payments.
To qualify for an award, an injury must be described in the tariff of injuries at Annex E of the CICA Scheme. Not all claims for compensation will be successful; you must be eligible under the rules of the Scheme.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Basic Eligibility Requirements:
You need to meet some basic requirements before you can claim compensation from CICA
If you are considering making a compensation claim for your injuries, it’s always best to consult with a solicitor or the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) to check your eligibility to make a claim. You can call us or request a free callback for a free initial consultation. We take all CICA cases on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means you don’t need to pay us anything if we won’t able to secure any compensation.
How We Can Help With CICA Claim?
It’s important to note that while a solicitor is not required to make a claim for compensation through the CICA, many victims find it helpful to have legal representation to ensure that their rights are protected and that they receive the maximum amount of compensation available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We are here to help!
If you, a friend or a family member has suffered physical or psychological injuries as a result of a violent crime, it may be possible to apply to the CICA for compensation.
“The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), is a government organisation which provides compensation for victims of violent crime in England, Wales, and Scotland. We represent victims of violent crime to get compensation from CICA.”