Abuse Survivors Blog

This year has seen many reports of an increase of sexual violence/assaults at UK universities by fellow students/mentors and lecturers. It is deeply shocking and disappointing that respected universities have found themselves in the midst of these revelations. This article looks at the scale of the problem, and the justice routes available to those who have suffered, including compensation.

Editor's note: This post was originally written in 2017 and has since been brought up to date in honour of World Mental Health Day 2019.

Secondary mental health problems including compassion fatigue and secondary trauma are especially prevalent among those working in industries that require them to work closely with victims of trauma, or that expose them to trauma on a secondary level. However it's not often given the attention it deserves and as a result, those at risk are not prioritising their own mental health.

A victim of crime can make an application for compensation to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) online, by telephone or post.

Information and assistance with this is often provided by agencies such as Victim Support or the police. It is not necessary to use a legal representative, although for more complex claims such as “out of time” child abuse applications applicants often prefer to use a solicitor. 

Many of us associate personal injury claims with injuries such as broken bones, burns, lacerations, bruising or other similar injuries.

However, many people who have been involved in accidents suffer injury to their teeth and jaw in addition to other physical injuries or as a stand-alone injury.  

Whilst child abuse can be sexual, physical, emotional and neglect, for the purpose of this article we focus on sexual child abuse and exploitation.

This week, 4-10 February 2019, is the third annual Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week.

This awareness week was established in 2016 to highlight awareness of sexual abuse and violence and generate discussion on this difficult topic. With this in mind it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the work of the Independent Sexual Violence (‘ISVA’) and in particular the training they undertake to equip them with the skills they may need in fulfilling this unquestionably challenging and diverse role.

Speaking out for the first time takes great courage and it can be difficult to know where to start.  

Here are 5 things which might offer you assistance and encouragement if you are considering taking this step in 2019:

Two of Emmott Snell Solicitor’s clients (referred to in this article as Mr X and Mr Y to protect their identities) have successfully obtained substantial out of court settlements after bringing compensation claims against Hampshire County Council and Surrey County Council for sexual assaults they suffered whilst placed at children’s homes.  

Compensation settlements and awards from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (as a result of psychiatric or physical injury) will be taken into account by the Department of Work and Pensions when assessing a person’s entitlement to means tested benefits.

Many victims of childhood sexual abuse suffer significant psychological injury as a result of the trauma they have experienced. Some victims of childhood sexual abuse self-harm as a way of dealing with this trauma which often results in physical scars.