Historic Abuse Compensation Claims
You may be entitled to compensation even if the abuse happened many years ago
Whether the abuse resulted in physical injuries, psychological trauma or both, you may be eligible to make a claim through the Criminal injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Historic claims that fall outside of the usual 2 year time limit
Many victims of abuse do not come forward immediately.
Some people take years or even decades before they feel able to report what happened or seek support.
As a result, one of the most common questions we are asked is:
“Can I still claim if the abuse happened a long time ago?”
In many cases, the answer is yes.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) recognises that victims of abuse often face significant barriers to reporting what happened and may consider claims relating to incidents that occurred many years ago.
What Is Historic Abuse?
Historic abuse refers to abuse that occurred months or years ago, often during childhood.
This may include sexual, physical or emotional abuse, whether committed by a family member, someone in a position of trust, or within institutions such as schools, care homes, religious organisations or sports clubs.
Many survivors continue to experience the effects of abuse long after the incidents themselves, and compensation may still be available in appropriate cases.
Could You Be Eligible To Claim?
Many victims of violent crime are unaware that they may be entitled to compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
You may still be eligible to claim even where the offender was not convicted, provided the incident was reported to the police and certain eligibility criteria are met.
We regularly assist clients with claims arising from assault, domestic violence, sexual abuse, psychological trauma and historic abuse.
Can I Still Claim If The Abuse Happened Years Ago?
Possibly.
Whilst the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme contains time limits, the CICA has discretion to extend those limits in appropriate cases. In our experience, many historic abuse claims are successfully pursued outside the standard two year period.
The CICA recognises that victims often delay reporting abuse due to:
• Fear
• Shame
• Trauma
• Mental health difficulties
• Concerns about not being believed
• Influence or control exercised by the abuser
It is therefore important not to assume that a claim is out of time without obtaining specialist advice.
What If I Only Recently Reported The Abuse?
This is very common. Many victims only feel able to report abuse years after the events occurred.
The CICA will consider the circumstances of each case and the reasons why the abuse was not reported sooner.
The fact that abuse was reported years later does not automatically prevent compensation from being awarded.
Does Someone Need To Be Convicted?
No.
Compensation can often be awarded even where:
• No conviction was obtained
• Criminal proceedings did not take place
• The offender denied the allegations
• The offender has died
The key issue is whether there is sufficient evidence to satisfy the requirements of the scheme.
As long as you have cooperated with the police investigation, compensation may still be available.
What Can Compensation Be Awarded For?
Compensation may be available for:
• Sexual abuse
• Physical injuries
• Psychological trauma
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Other recognised psychiatric injuries
The value of an award will depend on the individual circumstances of the case.
Making A Claim
A simple process from the free consultation to receiving your compensation
1.
Free Assessment
Complete our free online assesment in under 2 minutes. Its quick, easy and completely confidential.
2.
Claim Review
Our specialist team review your information, assess eligibility and advise you on your claim prospects.
3.
We Take Care of Everything
We prepare and submit your CICA application and manage all communication , evidence, reviews and appeals.
4.
Receive Your Compensation
If your claim is successful, compensation is paid to you minus our fee. We are there to support you every step of the way.
Will I Need To Attend Court?
In most cases, no.
Claims are usually dealt with directly by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
Some cases may proceed to a tribunal if a decision is disputed. If this happens, we can advise and represent you throughout the process.
Most applicants never need to attend a hearing.
We Understand How Difficult It Can Be To Talk About Abuse
Many people have never spoken about their experiences before contacting us.
We understand that discussing historic abuse can be extremely difficult and emotional.
Our team will treat your claim with sensitivity, respect and understanding at all times.
For many victims, a claim is not simply about compensation. It is about acknowledgement, recognition and taking a positive step forward.
Why choose us?
Experienced. Compassionate. Dedicated to you.
Making a criminal injury compensation claim can feel overwhelming, particularly following a traumatic experience. At Chris Rudd Solicitors , we combine specialist CICA expertise with a compassionate, client focused approach. From your initial assessment through to the conclusion of your claim, our dedicated team will guide you every step of the way. We will ensure that you receive clear advice, professional support and the strongest possible representation.
