By Jade Maine. Last Updated 28th August 2024. The victims of rape and sexual assault have a right to seek compensation for the harm they suffered. However, in some cases the perpetrator cannot pay compensation to a rape victim.
A government-sponsored agency called the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) provides a route for people to make a rape compensation claim. In this guide, we discuss the compensation they can award when a claim is accepted. Additionally, we explain when it is possible to make a rape claim through the CICA.
We also cover the No Win No Fee basis under which our expert solicitors provide legal support for victims of violent crime who want to claim.
If you need a confidential consultation with no pressure to claim, we offer free support options. You can reach a friendly advisor through any of these routes:
- Call 0800 073 8804
- Use our live chat.
- Complete our ‘claim online‘ form for a callback.
Select A Section:
- How Common Is Rape? A Legal Expert Case Study
- How Much Compensation For A Rape Victim?
- Can I Make A Rape Compensation Claim?
- What Evidence Do I Need To Make A Rape Compensation Claim?
- Is There A Time Limit To Claim Rape Compensation?
- How We Can Help You Make A No Win No Fee Compensation Claim For Rape
- Get More Help And Support After Rape
A rape compensation claim falls under criminal injury law. You can check out this quick video below which summarises our guide:
How Common Is Rape? A Legal Expert Case Study
At Legal Expert, we conduct our own research into the issues that impact our clients. We recently undertook an investigation into the number of rapes committed by taxi drivers in London.
We found a shocking rise in the number of rapes, which increased by 259% in 2023 compared to previous years.
How Much Compensation For A Rape Victim?
If you make a successful claim for rape compensation through the CICA, you can receive a payment for your injuries. These will be valued in accordance with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012, which contains a fixed tariff. You can only receive victim compensation from this tariff for a maximum of three injuries. However, you could receive an additional payment as part of your compensation for rape if you have become pregnant, contracted an STI or lost a foetus because of the incident.
If you do claim for multiple injuries, they will be subject to the following formula:
- 100% of the full tariff amount will be awarded for the highest-valued injury.
- 30% of the full tariff amount will be awarded for the second-highest valued injury.
- 15% of the full tariff amount will be awarded for the third highest-valued injury.
Below, we have included some figures from the tariff of injuries outlined in the CICA scheme (the first figure, however, is not outlined in the scheme):
- Compensation for serious harm from sexual abuse, plus extra damages such as loss of earnings and other special expenses, could be worth up to £500,000+.
- Compensation for non-consensual penile penetration, that results in serious internal injuries and a permanent severe mental illness, could be worth £44,000.
- Similarly, compensation for non-consensual penile penetration, that results in permanent severe mental illness, could be worth £27,000.
- Compensation for non-consensual penile penetration, that is either a pattern of repetitive incidents over the course of 3+ years or that results in a permanent moderate mental illness, could be worth £22,000.
- Additionally, if there were two or more attackers involved in non-consensual penile penetration, the compensation could be worth £13,500.
- If one attacker was involved in non-consensual penile penetration, the compensation could be worth £11,000.
Can I Claim For Financial Losses Caused By The Rape?
When making a rape compensation claim through the CICA, you may also be awarded special expenses. A few examples of the costs that the CICA could reimburse you for include:
- Any physical aids you depended on that were damaged in the incident, such as your glasses.
- Any equipment you need to cope with your injuries, such as a specially adapted car.
- Adaptations to your home, such as adding a ramp.
- Care costs that relate to food preparation or your bodily functions.
All of these expenses need to have been necessary and reasonable. They must also have been a direct result of suffering your injury. They also cannot be available elsewhere for free.
You may also be able to claim for a loss of earnings, however, specific criteria must be met.
For more information on how to claim for a loss of earnings, or for guidance on payouts for rape victims in CICA claims, you can contact our advisors.
Can I Make A Rape Compensation Claim?
As previously stated, the CICA are a government body that awards compensation to those who have been criminally injured. However, in order to be eligible to claim compensation for rape through the CICA, the following criteria must be met.
- You must have sustained a physical or mental injury as the result of being a victim of a crime of violence. The CICA Scheme provides examples of incidents that are considered a crime of violence. Some examples include sexual abuse, an attack, threat of attack and arson.
- The incident must have occurred in Great Britain or another relevant location. For example, a ship registered in England, Wales or Scotland. #
- You must have reported the incident to the police.
- Your claim must be made within the relevant time limits. We will discuss what these are later on in this guide.
If you have any questions about the eligibility criteria to make a claim through the CICA, you can contact our advisors.
What Evidence Do I Need To Make A Rape Compensation Claim?
To make a rape compensation claim through the CICA, you will be required to present certain kinds of evidence. These include the following:
- A police reference number to prove that you reported the incident. This is also known as a crime reference number.
- Proof that you meet the residency/nationality requirements.
- Medical evidence regarding your injuries.
When you are making a rape victim compensation claim through the CICA, they will be able to liaise with the police for any additional information that they may need regarding the incident.
To learn more about the steps needed to claim compensation for rape through the CICA, you are welcome to contact our team of advisors for free.
Is There A Time Limit To Claim Rape Compensation?
There is a general two-year time limit for making a rape compensation claim through the CICA. This runs from the date the incident took place.
Exceptions can be made to this time frame, although you will need to prove that exceptional circumstances prevented you from making a claim within the general time limit.
Additionally, here is how the time limit changes for child claims:
- If you were younger than 18 when the incident happened, and the incident was reported to the police but no claim was made, you have two years from your 18th birthday to claim unless exceptional circumstances apply.
- If you were younger than 18 when the incident happened, and the incident was not reported to the police, you have two years from reporting it to the police to claim compensation for rape. You will need to prove, though, that exceptional circumstances prevented you from making this report sooner, e.g. historical abuse claims.
To learn more about how compensation for a rape victim is calculated, please contact us today.
How We Can Help You Make A No Win No Fee Compensation Claim For Rape
If you are eligible to make a rape compensation claim, one of our solicitors could support your claim. They may offer to work with you on a No Win No Fee basis with a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
If you work with a No Win No Fee solicitor, you won’t be required to pay any upfront or ongoing fees for their services. Furthermore, if your claim is unsuccessful, then you won’t need to pay for your solicitor’s services.
A success fee is taken from the rape victim compensation awarded to you if your claim is successful. This amount is a legally limited percentage.
Contact our advisors today for more information on how to claim compensation as a rape victim. Our friendly team is available 24/7 to offer you free advice and answer your questions. They could also connect you with one of our solicitors.
You can contact Legal Expert today by:
- Calling 0800 073 8804
- Using our contact us page
- Using our live chat feature
Get More Help And Support After Rape
While legal advice might be one consideration, we appreciate that further help and support may be needed. Below, you can find some useful resources:
Here you can find helpful information for women and girls who have been raped or have experienced any other form of sexual violence
Here you can find advice and guidance on sexual abuse and what it is, such as non-touching, such as grooming, exploiting, and persuading children to perform sexual acts over the internet and flashing.
if you’ve been sexually abused, a term which includes rape, or know somebody who has, Childline can offer vital advice and support.
Report a rape or sexual assault – GOV.UK
This guide offers important information from the government on how to report a rape or sexual assault to the police.
This important guide provides medical information and advice on what to do after rape.
If you would like to speak to an advisor about seeking compensation for rape, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for free, confidential advice.
