Abuse Survivors Blog

Medical and police records play an important role in any personal injury compensation claim. 

They can support a person’s case in a number of ways and therefore can be of great evidential value. 

In 2017, eight care workers were charged after a police investigation into historical child abuse at a children’s home in Coventry.

These men were accused of a total of 29 offences (which included counts of child cruelty, indecent assaults and one rape of a child) against 15 children whilst working at Wisteria Lodge between 1981-1997.

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.

Having good support from loved ones when dealing with the psychological consequences of sexual abuse can be vital, but therapeutic support from a trained professional can also be invaluable.

On 24^th September 2018, Emmott Snell once again took part in the annual Bedford Legal Walk, a 10km sponsored walk around Bedford town which raises money for local charities providing legal advice. 

If you have suffered an injury (physical or psychological) in the last three years as a result of being involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, then you may have a personal injury compensation claim.

There are some cases where the criteria might be different. For example, a child has three years from their 18th birthday to make a claim (and will be represented in the claim by a competent adult known as a litigation friend), regardless of how old they were when they were injured. 

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.

It is well known that many victims of childhood sexual abuse suffer with psychological conditions and symptoms that affect their day to day life and ability to function.

The symptoms of these conditions are debilitating and can be treated by various traditional psychotherapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EDMR and counselling.

This year has seen spiralling revelations of abuse and sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable people by those working for reputable aid organisations in countries ravaged by war and catastrophic natural disasters.  

It is deeply shocking that respected British charities including Oxfam and the Red Cross have found themselves at the heart of a scandal exposing predatory staff taking advantage of the vulnerable communities they are supposed to be helping.

In the wake of Cliff Richard’s successful court appeal against the BBC, it is right to revisit how victims of sexual abuse can be protected in law from having their identities revealed. There has been much debate over the years on press freedom to report on cases which are thought to be of public interest and the rights of the parties involved in those legal cases.