Sexual abuse in a relationship can leave the victim with both physical and psychological wounds. As you put your life back together after the assault, you could be entitled to compensation to help.
Sexual abuse in a relationship claims are generally made through a governmental agency called the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). If a claim succeeds through this method, compensation can be awarded for the physical, emotional and psychological impacts of the relationship abuse.
To learn more about the CICA claims process, continue reading. We also detail how a solicitor could help you navigate your CICA claim on No Win No Fee terms. Avoid the stress and complexity of facing a compensation claim for sexual abuse in a relationship alone. See if we can help:
- Call us on 0333 091 8597
- Click on the live support window at the bottom.
- Use our ‘contact us’ page to start your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Claim For Sexual Abuse In A Relationship?
- What Compensation Could I Get For A Sexual Abuse Claim?
- Is Intimate Partner Sex Illegal?
- What Are Some Signs Of Sexual Abuse?
- What Could Sexual Abuse In A Relationship Entail?
- What Is Meant By Sexual Coercion?
- Can I Get Help For Intimate Relationship Sexual Abuse?
- Seeking Advice From Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice
- More Information
Can I Claim For Sexual Abuse In A Relationship?
Yes, if you meet the CICA’s eligiblity criteria. The CICA has certain criteria that it needs met to consider a claim:
- You were a victim of violence and/or sexual assault in England, Scotland and Wales (or locations registered there such as a vessel or aircraft).
- Your injuries are listed in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 tariff (Annexe B).
- The crime was reported to the police within the 2 year time limit (unless special circumstances prevented this).
- You are willing to cooperate with any investigations.
With this met, the CICA can consider the claim. Each case is looked at individually and one of our No Win No Fee solicitors could step in and help. To find out more about eligibility for sexual abuse in a relationship claims, please call our advisory team.
What Compensation Could I Get For A Sexual Abuse Claim?
The compensation you could get for sexual abuse in a relationship comes from a source called the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. This is a fixed tariff amount for a cross-section of physical harm, psychological damage (like PTSD) and sexual violence or abuse. You would receive exactly what is listed from the main tariff for the highest valued injury if the claim succeeds.
However, if you are claiming for 2 or more injuries from the main tariff, the amounts will be different. 30% of the tariff amount will apply to the second highest-valued injury, and the third is 15%. Not all injuries are included in the main tariff. Some injuries, including pregnancy or losing a pregnancy and transmitting a sexually transmitted infection, are awarded separately from the main tariff and therefore, the amounts will not be reduced.
The example table below has been put together using examples of CICA payouts (except for the first line). Please only use it as a guide.
| Harm | Description | Tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple types of harm and special expenses. | Multiple injuries compensation alongside lost earnings and special expenses. | Up to £500,000 where special expenses and lost earnings are part of the claim. |
| Non-consensual (penile) penetration of the vagina, mouth or anus. | Resulting in serious injuries and mental illness that is severe and disabling. | £44,000 |
| Resulting in serious internal injuries and mental illness at a moderate level. | £33,000 | |
| Cases of permanent severe disabling mental illness. | £27,000 | |
| Cases of permanent, disabling mental illness at a moderate level. | £22,000 | |
| Which causes serious internal bodily injury. | £22,000 | |
| Involving 2 or more assailants. | £13,500 | |
| Incident involving 1 assailant. | £11,000 | |
| Sexual Assault | Incident causing a severe mental illness. This will need to be confirmed by a psychiatric prognosis. | £27,000 |
| Cases that cause serious internal injuries. | £22,000 |
In addition to amounts for the harm itself, you could include a claim for special expenses that might include the following if you have the evidence to back them up:
- The cost of medical aids you relied upon that were damaged (hearing aids or eyewear).
- The cost of care outside the remit of the NHS.
- Home adaptations and special equipment needed after the abuse.
- Any costs related to administering your affairs.
Furthermore, you might be able to claim for loss of earnings. However, different eligibility criteria apply.
One of our solicitors could help ensure all the relevant factors are taken into account for your claim. Call an advisor now to talk about sexual abuse in a relationship claims and to see if you could be eligible to work with one of our solicitors on a No Win No Fee basis.
Is Intimate Partner Sexual Abuse Illegal?
Intimate partner sexual abuse is illegal and considered a form of domestic abuse. Even if the abuse is perpetrated by your husband or civil partner, they do not have the right to harm you. Consent is always required in sexual activity under UK law and anyone who commits a sex act or abuse like this can face arrest and prosecution.
Call if you are unsure as to whether your intimate partner has committed a crime and whether you might have a basis to seek compensation for abuse in marriage.
What Are Some Signs Of Sexual Abuse?
Some recognised signs of sexual abuse that a person might display are:
- Behavioural changes.
- An increase in anxiety or tension.
- Excessive apologising or self-blame.
- Reluctance to discuss the relationship.
- Justifying or defending their partner’s abuse.
- Being obliged to follow a rigid routine or ‘checking in’ constantly with the partner.
- An altered appearance or style.
- Financial problems.
Some or all of these characteristics may indicate sexual abuse in an intimate relationship. To discuss these issues, there are links at the bottom of this guide to help. You can also call our advisory team to discuss sexual abuse in a relationship claims and find out if you are eligbile for compensation.
What Could Sexual Abuse In A Relationship Entail?
Sexual abuse in a relationship could entail a number of behaviours and actions. The most commonly identified are as follows:
- Forcing the person to perform sex acts.
- Physical violence and emotional abuse.
- Sending them sexually explicit images or material.
- Hurting the person during sexual intercourse.
- Engaging in sex acts while the person is sleeping or too intoxicated to give consent.
- Preventing the person from using contraception.
- Exposing the person to pornography or forcing them to participate in the making of it.
Sexual abuse in a relationship can involve some or all of these issues to varying degrees. A claim for compensation could help you put your life back together. Please speak to our advisors for help.
What Is Meant By Sexual Coercion?
The term ‘sexual coercion’ is used to describe pressuring or tricking a person into having sexual activity. It may not always involve physical force and can often be a subtle form of psychological manipulation on the part of the abuser. It also includes:
- Non-physical pressure to have sex.
- Forcing them to give non-genuine consent.
- Part of the power dynamic between that couple.
- Psychological persuasion and emotional blackmail.
Sexual coercion can leave victims feeling confused and unsure as to whether the abuse was their fault or not. In cases like this, it’s vital to seek guidance from a healthcare provider or an organisation set up to help victims of sexual abuse. You can speak to our advisors about sexual abuse in relationship claims as well.
Can I Get Help For Intimate Relationship Sexual Abuse?
You could seek help after suffering sexual abuse in a relationship. The following guidance is from the NHS:
- See your GP or practice nurse.
- Approach a voluntary agency such as Rape Crisis or Victim Support (we provide some links at the bottom to help).
- Call the police or go to an A&E hospital department in an emergency.
- Contact a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARCs), which are centres across the country offering a range of support services including crisis care, forensic and medical examinations, emergency contraception and tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
You can also retain evidence of all this to support any future compensation claim you wish to make against an intimate partner. For help on this, speak to our advisors about claims after sexual abuse in a relationship.
Seeking Advice From Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice
Our solicitors provide a wide range of excellent support services to help you seek compensation for sexual assault in a relationship. If they can help with your claim, you could take advantage of these benefits:
- Support through the entire CICA claims process.
- Assistance with any appeal if the CICA decline the claim.
- Sign-posting to other services that might be helpful for you.
In addition to this, our solicitors at Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice offer their services through a type of No Win No Fee arrangement called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Working like this means that no solicitors’ fees apply to start the claim, or for your solicitor’s services as it goes forward. Furthermore, your No Win No Fee solicitor will not ask for a fee for their services when your sexual abuse in a relationship claim is not successful.
Successful claims require payment of a success fee, which will be taken as a percentage of your compensation. A law called the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013 places a legal cap on the percentage. Thereby ensuring that the person claiming benefits first and foremost from the compensation.
Why not take a moment to see if our solicitors can help you? Start by discussing your claim options with our advisors using the contact details below.
Contact Our Team Of Advisors
- Call us on 0333 091 8597
- Click on the live support window at the bottom.
- Use our ‘contact us’ page to start your claim.
More Information
In addition to this guide on sexual abuse in a relationship, you can read more helpful information here;
- This guide looks at what counts as sexual abuse.
- Here is guidance on the long-term effects of sexual abuse.
- Also, read about historical abuse compensation claims.
External guidance
- This resource looks at how to recognise the signs of domestic abuse.
- Also, you can call the 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline run by Refuge.
- Lastly, there is also help from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) about domestic abuse.
In conclusion, thank you for reading our article on sexual abuse in a relationship claims. If you would like to speak to an advisor about claiming compensation, please get in touch today.
