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Sexual Abuse Claims – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

By Stephen Hudson. Last Updated 3rd March 2024. Here at Legal Expert, we can provide assistance on making a compensation claim for sexual abuse if you want to take such action.

We receive many questions about what is considered sexual abuse and how making a claim for this type of abuse works. Therefore, we’ve provided this FAQ page to answer some of the most common questions we receive about sexual abuse and sexual abuse claims. If you have any questions about these matters which aren’t included below, then you are welcome to contact our advisors at Legal Expert. You can reach us online using our contact form, or you can call us on 0800 073 8804.

What is the definition of sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse refers to unwanted sexual gestures which may or may not involve physical contact. The victim will not have provided their consent to the gestures which could lead them to suffer physical and mental injuries.

Can a victim of sexual abuse sue the offender?

It is possible for a victim of sexual abuse to make a compensation claim against the offender. There are two main ways of making a sexual abuse claim. One is through the civil courts by making a personal injury claim. The second method is by making a criminal injury claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

What is an inappropriate touch?

Any form of touching which makes the person receiving it uncomfortable (particularly if they did not consent to it) could potentially be considered inappropriate touching. Inappropriate touches can potentially have severe mental and physical effects on the person receiving them.

Can I sue for mental abuse?

If you have suffered any mental injuries due to sexual abuse, then these could potentially be compensated for in a personal injury claim or criminal injury claim. Different types of mental harm such as PTSD, anxiety or stress could be compensated for as long as there is evidence that they can be diagnosed and linked to sexual abuse.

How Long Do I Have To Claim For Sexual Abuse?

When making a claim for compensation for sexual abuse through the CICA, you generally have two years from the date you reported the incident to the police to launch the case. You are expected to report a crime to the police without delay, unless you can prove that exceptional circumstances prevented you from making a report.

Exceptions can be made to the two-year time limit. For example, you may have suffered historical sexual abuse. Also, if you were under 18 when the abuse occurred but reported the crime to the police, you have two years from your 18th birthday to take action. However, if you did not inform the police, you’ll have two years to claim from the date that you report the incident. 

If you are unsure about how long you have left to claim CICA compensation, get in touch at any time and our advisors can help you free of charge. They can also answer any additional questions you may have about sexual abuse claims.

How much compensation will I get for sexual assault in the UK?

If you are eligible to claim sexual abuse compensation, then the amount you may receive will depend on several factors. For example, your compensation could differ depending on if you make a personal injury claim against the defendant directly or a criminal injury claim through the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA). In the table below, we’ve included compensation payouts related to CICA claims.

The figures shown are taken from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012, which includes a tariff of injuries with related set payout amounts.

It can be possible to claim compensation for multiple injuries. However, you will only receive the full tariff for the highest value injury/abuse you suffered. You will then receive 30% of the tariff for the second highest value injury/abuse and 15% for the third.

In some cases, there can be exceptions to this rule. This could include when you have:

  • Lose a foetus
  • Become pregnant
  • Contracted an STI

The above stipulations must be in direct relation to your criminal injury.

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Injury Type Description/Severity Standard Compensation Amount
Physical abuse of adult (this may include domestic abuse) Serious abuse – Intermittent physical assaults leading to an accumulation of healed wounds £2,000
Physical abuse of adult (this may include domestic abuse) Severe abuse – Pattern of violence leading to minor disfigurement £5,500
Physical abuse of adult (this may include domestic abuse) Severe abuse – Persistent pattern that lasts over a period of more than 3 years £8,200
Physical abuse of children (this may include domestic abuse) Minor abuse – Isolated or intermittent assaults £1,000
Physical abuse of children (this may include domestic abuse) Serious abuse – Intermittent physical assaults that cause an accumulation of healed wounds £2,000
Physical abuse of children (this may include domestic abuse) Severe abuse – Persistent pattern of repetitive violence that cause moderate multiple injuries £5,500

Feel free to contact our advisors here at Legal Expert if you would like to speak to us about queries such as ‘how much compensation will I get for sexual assault in the UK?’

Learn More About Sexual Abuse Compensation Claims

You may also be interested in some of our other guides on criminal injury compensation claims:

We also have some other guides on sexual abuse compensation claims that you may find useful: