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What kinds of compensation can you claim?
Any sexual contact without consent is considered assault, and victims can seek compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) after reporting it to the police.
Compensation is available for various forms of abuse, such as:
- Rape.
- Touching over and under clothing.
- Drug-facilitated sexual assault.
- Child sexual abuse.
We suggest reaching out to our friendly CICA claims team for personalized advice. They can help you get the most compensation and make the process easier and smoother for you.
If your claim is submitted via the CICA, a specific compensation tariff is outlined for survivors of sexual crimes. In the UK, victims of sexual abuse can receive compensation ranging from £1,000 to £44,000, with some compensation levels exclusive to child sexual assault cases.
Awards can be higher if you’ve experienced psychological injuries.
If you have experienced abuse or assault from someone you lived with, you may be eligible to claim compensation through the CICA scheme.
The removal of the ‘same roof rule’ in 2019 has opened the door for thousands of people to make new claims or appeal those previously denied.
If you have previously been denied a settlement or advised not to pursue a case because of the ‘same roof rule’, contact us to begin your claim.
Understanding the Ministry of Justice’s definition of “rape” can be helpful: it is “the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”
Many individuals we encounter might not initially see themselves as victims of rape, especially if there was no penile to vaginal or anal penetration. However, please remember that any act of penetration without consent can be eligible for compensation under the CICA scheme. Even if there wasn’t any penetration, sexual assault cases can still qualify, so it’s important to consider all circumstances.
To claim compensation for your injury, you must first report the incident to the police. For the best chances of success, do so as soon as reasonably possible, and ensure a claim is made within 2 years of reporting the matter. Exceptions to this rule may apply.
Applications for compensation for rape and sexual assault are processed quickly once CICA confirms eligibility by obtaining the police report, so reporting is essential if seeking compensation.
Our extensive knowledge and experience with the CICA scheme enable us to understand the criteria CICA uses to assess your eligibility. Consequently, our experts can estimate the potential processing time for your claim. Some applications may be resolved in as little as 4 weeks after submission, particularly when there are no or minimal psychological effects from the assault. Although claims can take longer for various reasons, rape and sexual assault cases are generally resolved more quickly by the CICA.
Compensation levels for victims of rape and sexual assault from the CICA.
Compensation amounts paid by the CICA depend on three factors: the frequency of attacks, the severity of the injury, and the victim’s age, with children’s cases being treated differently. The CICA employs a tiered system to evaluate the value of rape compensation claims in adults.
Single instance of sexual assault
For cases of sexual assault without penetration where the victim is fully clothed, the compensation amount is set at £1,000.
Full penetrative rape
A single case of full penetrative rape can result in £11,000 in compensation, including forced oral sex.
Multiple occurrences of rape.
Claims for repeated incidents over a period can be valued at up to £33,000. However, the CICA will evaluate your claim considering all three factors mentioned above.
Victims may also be eligible to make rape compensation claims for a range of hardships they’ve endured. This includes physical or internal injuries, as well as sexually transmitted diseases. In some cases, psychological damage can also be considered. If they’ve had to take more than 28 weeks off work, lost income might be covered too. Additionally, pregnancy-related costs can be claimed.