Holiday reflection and deciding to speak out about childhood sexual abuse in 2026

Most of us have now returned to our place of employment/educational organisation having enjoyed the Christmas and New Year with our families and loved ones. For many, this will have been a time of joy and excitement. Christmas and New Year are culturally framed as “family” seasons when we repeat rituals/traditions and familiar places are revisited bringing warmth and belonging. Sadly, for some - particularly those who experienced sexual and physical abuse in childhood, this period can re-open memories they would rather forget. 

Revisiting memories of childhood abuse during holidays/festivities

There are many reasons why memories of childhood abuse are revisited at Christmas and indeed other holidays/festivities. Triggers can include:

• Music, smells, food, religious services, and traditions can function as involuntary cues that reactivate memories.

• Visiting childhood homes or seeing relatives can reintroduce power dynamics and unresolved conflict.

• Social narratives of “happy families” can create a sense of isolation, shame, or grief where reality did not match the ideal.

• The end of the calendar year encourages stock-taking; people compare “then” and “now,” sometimes re-evaluating past experiences through an adult lens.

• Adulthood, parenting, or new relationships can sharpen recognition that what happened in childhood was not normal but abuse.

Reflection is not inherently negative. It can be the point at which someone considers action, whether that action is reporting, seeking support, safeguarding others, or addressing long-deferred health and wellbeing consequences.

Reporting childhood abuse in 2026

If you have made the decision that 2026 is the year that you will speak out you should tell someone that you trust and feel comfortable with. This may be a family member, friend, doctor or specialist charity.

Reporting to the police is always to be encouraged. It does not matter if the abuse occurred years ago. Historic allegations are commonly investigated. The police will listen to your complaint and take the appropriate action. Reports can be made by telephone, online or in person. The police will arrange to speak with you and investigate. This investigation will identify whether the perpetrator is alive and in contact with children, which may raise safeguarding issues.

If the perpetrator of the abuse is deceased the police will likely close the file and take no further action. However, the complaint will be recorded, and this is often very important to those who have suffered abuse in childhood.

Reporting to institutions

If the abuse occurred in settings such as schools, faith organisations, sports clubs, care homes, or youth groups:

• complaints procedures may be engaged;

• regulatory bodies may be notified;

• institutions may undertake internal investigations, safeguarding measures, or referrals to police/regulators.

Civil routes

If you decide to pursue a civil claim for compensation, although this may not be at the forefront of your mind at the time of reporting, a conviction, particularly where the abuse is non-recent, puts you in the strongest position possible. This may also support the process of valuing compensation in sexual abuse claims.

The nature of childhood abuse is that it remains suppressed for many years. The civil process is a way of speaking out and gaining justice and closure. Many people who embrace the civil compensation process see it as a form of catharsis and an important step in their recovery. It can be about taking control of the effects of the abuse and over the abuser which may be empowering.

Successful sexual abuse claims result in the award of compensation. Whilst no amount of compensation will ever be truly reflective of the harm done to victims it can be important validation and represent formal recognition for what has happened. It can also help victims access expensive therapy not readily available on the NHS. Importantly civil claims against organisations such as schools and churches can lead to greater vigilance and improved practices leading to better safeguarding and protection of children.

The time limit in civil compensation claims

Some people may believe that they are out of time for bringing a claim for compensation. Whilst under English law there is a three year time limit for bringing civil compensation claims the courts do have discretion to disapply this if they believe it is fair to allow the claim to proceed. When doing so the courts will consider the circumstances of the claim including the length of the delay and the reasons for the delay and whether a fair trial is still possible. Where criminal proceedings have taken place and a conviction secured is of great assistance in this respect.

There have been government announcements (February 2025) indicating an intention to remove the three-year limitation period for child sexual abuse claims and to reverse the burden so that claims would proceed unless the defendant shows a fair trial is not possible. However this has not yet taken place and cannot be relied on.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims have a separate scheme with different time limits (commonly two years, subject to exceptions). This is not a civil tort claim but is frequently considered in parallel or for those who have no other form of redress.

Conclusion

Holiday reflection can be a turning point. For survivors of childhood abuse, it can also be a period of grief: grief for the childhood that should have been safe, grief for the adult self who carried the burden alone, and grief for the relationships that could not be repaired by “being festive.”

Emmott Snell have had the privilege of representing and successfully assisting many victims of childhood sexual abuse secure compensation and apologies in the previous year and many years before that. If you have made the decision to speak out in 2026 please don’t hesitate to give us a ring on 01234 360140, or  for a contact us by email, for a confidential informal chat. We at Emmott Snell would welcome hearing from you.

Emmott Snell take this opportunity to wish all of our present and former clients and associates our best wishes for 2026.