Sexual Abuse Claims

Sexual abuse can take many forms and can result in both physical and psychological injuries. If you have suffered abuse, it is essential to remember that it was not your fault, and you may have the right to make a sexual abuse claim for compensation.

Claims for sexual abuse are typically made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), which handles claims for victims of violent crime in the UK. These claims usually have a two-year time limit, but there are some exceptions.

An experienced personal injury solicitor can guide you through the claims process with care and confidentiality, ensuring you receive the support and compensation you deserve.

To find out if you can claim compensation for sexual abuse, call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back. You will receive a free, confidential case assessment with a friendly legal adviser, without any obligation to proceed.

Table of Contents

• Am I eligible to make a sexual abuse compensation claim?
• Directly against the perpetrator
• Against an employer or organisation
• The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)
• How do I make a sexual abuse claim?
• What evidence do I need to claim compensation for sexual abuse?
• Could my sexual abuse claim be refused by the CICA?
• What qualifies as sexual assault or abuse?
• What lasting damage can sexual abuse cause?
• Am I eligible to claim for historical sexual abuse?
• Can I claim if my partner abused me?
• Can I claim on behalf of a child who is a victim of sexual abuse?
• What is the time limit to make a claim for sexual abuse?
• How much compensation can I claim for sexual abuse?
• Benefits of having a solicitor help with your claim
• Support for survivors of sexual abuse

Am I eligible to make a sexual abuse compensation claim?

Depending on the circumstances, claims for rape and sexual assault can be made through various parties, including:

Directly against the perpetrator

You can make a civil claim directly against the abuser if they have sufficient resources to pay you compensation. In these cases, you must be able to prove that:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care, which they breached.
• You suffered harm and losses as a direct consequence of their conduct.

Against an employer or organisation

If the abuse was committed by someone acting in the course of their employment, your claim could be made against their employer under vicarious liability. The organisation may be found liable if:

• The defendant was an employee or acted on behalf of the organisation.
• There is a close connection between the abuse and the employment, meaning their position gave them the opportunity to commit the abuse.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)

The CICA is a government agency that provides financial compensation to victims of violent crime who have suffered physical or psychological injuries. You may be able to make a CICA claim if the sexual abuser is not caught, is deceased, or does not have the means to pay you compensation, provided that:

• The abuse happened in the UK, where you were a resident at the time.
• You reported the abuse to the police and have a crime reference number.
• You suffered physical or psychological harm as a result that meets the minimum CICA requirements for compensation.
• You have fully cooperated with the CICA and the police in their investigations.
• The claim is made within the two-year time limit (some exceptions apply)

Don’t worry if you’re unsure who your claim would be made against. An experienced solicitor will assess your case during a free consultation and can let you know if you can claim and how best to proceed.

How do I make a sexual abuse claim?

If you want to make a sexual abuse compensation claim, you should start by speaking to an experienced personal injury solicitor. They will offer you a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case and determine who your claim will be against.

Once the defendant is identified, they will help you gather all the evidence you need to support your claim, as described in the section below.

Next, your solicitor will submit the claim to the defendant, whether that’s the abuser, an organisation or the CICA. They will outline the details of your case and the amount of compensation you are seeking.

The other party will investigate your claim and decide whether to accept liability and pay you compensation or dispute the claim. If your claim is successful, you will typically receive your compensation payment within around four weeks.

If you are making a civil claim and the defendant denies liability, your solicitor may then issue court proceedings and take your case before a judge.

If the CICA refuses your claim, you can ask for a review within 56 days. If you are still dissatisfied, you can make an appeal to the CICA Tribunal, which will then make a final decision.

What evidence do I need to claim compensation for sexual abuse?

Whether your claim is through the CICA or not, you need evidence that will help establish the abuse on the balance of probability. The types of evidence you could use to support your claim include:

• Your testimony about what happened and the physical and psychological impact of the abuse;
• Statements from witnesses who saw your distress, the interactions with the abuser or the aftermath of the assault;
• Medical records documenting any physical injuries caused by the sexual violence;
• A clinical diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist if you suffered psychological trauma;
• Forensic evidence, such as fingerprints or DNA collected from the crime scene or your body;
• A copy of the police report and recordings of your interviews with the police;
• CCTV or video evidence, if available;
• Accounts from the suspect and evidence of similar acts committed by them;
• Any communication between you and the abuser, such as emails, voicemails or text messages;
• Photographs of physical injuries and the location where the incident occurred.

Could my sexual abuse claim be refused by the CICA?

According to 2023/2024 figures, the CICA refused a total of 21,350 claims, which represent 57% of all the applications submitted to them. This includes all acts of violence, not just sexual abuse cases.

Some of the reasons why compensation claims may be refused by the CICA include:

• The injuries you suffered do not qualify for compensation;
• You have failed to cooperate with the police or CICA during enquiries;
• You did not report the crime to the police within a reasonable timeframe;
• You submitted the claim to the CICA after the two-year limitation date had passed;
• There is insufficient evidence to support your claim;
• You have current or previous criminal convictions.

If the CICA refuses your claim, your solicitor may be able to request a review and provide any missing evidence that could change the outcome. If the review is unsuccessful, you can also make an appeal to the CICA Tribunal.

What qualifies as sexual assault or abuse?

Sexual assault and abuse cover a range of non-consensual sexual acts and behaviours defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003, such as:

• Rape – any form of penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth without consent;
• Groping – any unwanted or inappropriate touching or fondling;
• Sexual exploitation – forcing or manipulating someone into sexual activities, often for money;
• Non-consensual kissing – forcing a kiss on someone without their consent;
• Non-physical abuse – it can include revenge porn, sexual harassment, or forcing someone to watch sexual content;
• Child sexual abuse – includes any sexual activity involving a child, such as grooming, indecent exposure, sexual exploitation and sexual acts.

Any form of sexual abuse and assault is a crime and can cause physical injuries and lasting emotional damage. These forms of abuse could happen in various settings, including in hospitals, care homes, clubs, schools, religious institutions, at work and even at home.

What lasting damage can sexual abuse cause?

The sad reality is that victims of sexual abuse often suffer long-lasting harm, even after a single incident. Some of the damage that sexual assault or abuse could cause includes:

• Psychological trauma, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and emotional distress;
• Relationship issues due to a loss of trust in others;
• Feelings of guilt, self-blame, and diminished self-esteem;
• Increased risk of alcohol or drug dependency as a coping mechanism;
• Unwanted pregnancy as a direct result of a rape;
• Sexually transmitted diseases, some of which can affect fertility or lead to chronic pain (see also NHS guidance on sexually transmitted infections (STIs));
• Internal damage to sex organs, rectum or urinary tract due to violent sexual assault;
• Engaging in self-harming behaviours or suicidal thoughts;
• Impact on work or education due to difficulty concentrating, stress or absenteeism;
• Financial hardship due to potential costs related to therapy or reduced earning capacity.

Am I eligible to claim for historical sexual abuse?

Historical or non-recent abuse typically refers to sexual abuse that happened in childhood by parents, siblings, carers, teachers, sports coaches, relatives or others. Even if nobody took legal action on your behalf back then, you could still make a historic sexual abuse claim as an adult.

If the perpetrator is still alive, you may be eligible to sue them directly for damages, including emotional distress and financial loss. Alternatively, if the abuse happened in a school, church, care home, or another organisation, you could make your claim against that institution for vicarious liability.

Another option to claim historical sexual abuse compensation is through the CICA. In this case, you can make your claim even if the responsible party was never identified or convicted.

If childhood sexual abuse was reported when you were a child, you will usually need to show that you had a good reason for not applying for CICA compensation within two years of turning 18. If it was not reported, you generally have two years to start a claim after reporting it yourself.

Can I claim if my partner abused me?

Sadly, many sexual abusers are family members of the victim, including partners or spouses. You can still claim compensation for sexual abuse through the CICA scheme even if your abuser was your partner, as long as they cannot benefit from your compensation award.

As with other CICA claims, you must report the abuse to the police and cooperate with any ongoing investigations. You can make a claim even if your partner isn’t convicted.

Alternatively, you can start a claim directly against your partner for the harm they have caused you if they have the financial means to compensate you. This could include damages for physical and emotional suffering, as well as financial losses.

Can I claim on behalf of a child who is a victim of sexual abuse?

Yes, you can. A parent, guardian or other responsible adult can act as a litigation friend and claim on behalf of a child under 18 who has been a victim of sexual abuse. Requirements to act as a litigation friend include:

• Acting in the child’s best interests.
• There is no conflict of interest.

You can make a civil claim or apply for compensation through the CICA at any time before the child’s 18th birthday. A solicitor can help you apply to become a litigation friend and with the claims process.

If you make a successful claim, any compensation awarded will be kept in a court bank account or a personal injury trust and released to the child when they turn 18.

What is the time limit to make a claim for sexual abuse?

The time limit for civil claims, whether through court or settlement, is set by the Limitation Act 1980. In these cases, you have three years to start your sexual abuse claim, starting from either:

• The date that the sexual abuse or sexual assault occurred.
• The date you became aware that the sexual abuse caused you harm.

There are some exceptions to this time limit, including for children (the three years do not begin until their 18th birthday) and individuals who lack the mental capacity to start a claim (there is no time limit for a litigation friend to represent them).

However, many sexual assault claims are made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. The general time limit to make a CICA claim is two years from the date of the abuse, with a few exceptions:

• The two-year time limit does not begin until a person’s 18th birthday. If the incident was reported to the police while you were a child, you have until age 20 to make a claim. If it was not reported, you have two years to start your claim after reporting the abuse to the police.
• In cases of historical sexual abuse, the two years begin from when you report it.
• The limitation date may effectively be suspended if you cannot start a claim due to severe psychological trauma or poor physical health, and the CICA accepts that this prevented you from applying sooner.

How much compensation can I claim for sexual abuse?

In personal injury claims made under civil law, compensation is calculated based on two types of damages suffered due to the abuse:

• General damages cover the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the sexual assault. Examples include physical pain, emotional harm, mental distress, impact on daily life and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Special damages cover related financial losses, such as medical treatments, counselling, loss of wages and travel expenses to medical appointments.

To calculate compensation for general damages, solicitors and courts refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (18th Edition). Based on your specific circumstances, you could be awarded:

If you claim compensation through the CICA, the amount you can claim will be based on the CICA tariffs. Examples include:

• £13,500 for PTSD where recovery is likely
• £22,000 for PTSD with lifelong symptoms
• £11,000 for rape by one attacker
• £13,500 for rape by more than one attacker
• Up to £44,000 for internal bodily injuries and severe psychiatric damage

Benefits of having a solicitor help with your claim

Although you can make a sexual abuse claim by yourself, having a solicitor represent you can significantly improve your chances of receiving compensation. Other benefits of hiring a solicitor include:

• Expert advice on the best course of action;
• They will help you gather and present your evidence effectively;
• Negotiation skills to secure the full compensation you are entitled to;
• Reduced stress, allowing you to focus on your recovery;
• They will handle all communication and legal aspects on your behalf.

In addition to the above benefits, your solicitor will work on a No Win No Fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs, and you only pay your solicitor if they win your claim. If your claim for compensation is unsuccessful, you won’t pay a penny.

To find out if you can make a no win no fee sexual abuse claim, call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back.

Support for survivors of sexual abuse

If you need emotional support, confidential advice, or simply someone to talk to, the following UK-based charities and helplines are available to help:

Last edited on 23rd Aug 2026

Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has over 15 years’ experience in the legal industry, with specialist knowledge of personal injury and medical negligence claims.