Child abuse compensation claims

The impact of child abuse, whether you experienced it yourself or are supporting someone  who has,  can be profound and deeply painful. It can feel incredibly isolating as if you’re facing this alone. Finding the strength to speak out and seek help can be incredibly challenging, requiring immense courage.

If you or a loved one has experienced child abuse, you or they deserve justice and support. This page provides information on your rights to claim compensation to help you move forward with your life.

Our specialist teams are dedicated to helping survivors of child abuse, regardless of when the abuse occurred. We can help whether the abuse took place in:

  • Schools
  • Sport clubs
  • Religious institutions
  • Scout groups
  • Children’s homes 
  • Foster placements

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What is child abuse?

Child abuse can take many forms. In claims, we see four main types of child abuse:

  • Physical abuse: Any act that causes physical harm to a child or young person on purpose.
  • Emotional abuse: Any act that causes emotional damage to a child, such as verbal abuse or humiliation. 
  • Sexual abuse: When a child is enticed or forced to take part in sexual activities. 
  • Neglect: The failure to provide for a child’s basic needs, like food, clothing, or medical care. 

Child abuse can happen in any setting where children are present. At home, abuse may be committed by parents, guardians, other family members or friends of the family. In schools, it can involve abuse by teachers, staff, or even other pupils or students. Foster care settings are also susceptible, with abuse sometimes inflicted by foster parents or other caregivers. Additionally, religious institutions have seen instances of abuse committed by clergy members or other religious leaders.

 

The importance of seeking justice

Child abuse is a serious issue with devastating consequences for victims and their families. In 2023/24, there were 26,299 child abuse offences recorded by the police in England and Wales, an increase compared with the previous year and a record for this type of offence. Seeking justice for children who have been abused is vital to prevent further harm and hold abusers accountable. 

We’re here to help. You can call us on 0800 0448488 or email or request a call back.

 

Who can make a child abuse compensation claim?

Victims of abuse or their legal representatives can make a compensation claim. This includes: 

Direct victims of abuse: Individuals who have directly experienced abuse can make a claim for compensation. This includes those who have suffered physical, emotional, or psychological harm as a result of their experiences.

Parents or guardians: If the victim is a child, parents or guardians can make a claim on their behalf. This ensures that the child’s rights are protected and they receive the support they need.

Survivors of historic abuse: Those who have experienced abuse in the past and are now adults can also seek compensation. 

To successfully make a claim, certain legal conditions must be met. This typically involves providing evidence of the abuse and demonstrating the impact it has had on the victim’s life. It’s important to act within strict time limits, although exceptions can sometimes be made, particularly in cases of historic abuse.

We’re here to help. You can call us on 0800 0448488 or email or request a call back

We understand how difficult it can be to come forward. That’s why we approach child abuse compensation claims with sensitivity and compassion, ensuring you feel safe and supported throughout the process.

Having a specialist team of abuse solicitors is vital to navigate the complexities of a child abuse compensation claim. An experienced solicitor can assess your case, guide you through the process, fight for the best possible settlement and represent you in court if needed. 

By seeking legal representation, you can increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve and work towards justice being served for what happened to you. 

If you would like to discuss a potential claim with us, you can call us on 0800 0448488 , email us or request a call back. A member of our team will respond as soon as possible. We are in your corner and ready to help.

 

What compensation can be claimed for child abuse?

There are several types of compensation available: 

  • General damages: These compensate for the abuse itself, any physical injuries which result from the abuse, the emotional trauma, and the pain and suffering experienced.
  • Special damages: These cover specific financial losses, including both past losses and future losses yet to be incurred, such as medical expenses, therapy costs and lost earnings. 
  • Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA): In some cases, victims of child abuse may be eligible for compensation through the CICA, a government scheme that provides financial support to victims of sexual and violent crime.

To make sure your claim has the best chance of success and to secure the maximum compensation you deserve, it’s vital to consult with experienced solicitors who specialise in child abuse cases. They can provide expert legal advice, guide you through the complex legal process, and achieve a fair settlement.

At Enable Law, our team has a proven track record in handling child abuse claims with sensitivity and expertise. We are dedicated to advocating for your rights and ensuring you receive the comprehensive care and support necessary for your journey toward healing and justice.

How do I make a child abuse compensation claim?

Navigating the complex process of seeking compensation for child abuse can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s crucial to have a team of specialist solicitors by your side.

At Enable Law, we will treat you with compassion and understanding and want to make seeking justice as easy as possible. We’ll work closely with you and guide you through every step of the process, explaining everything in detail. All cases are different and you will be treated as an individual. We will listen to you to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Whether the abuse is recent or it happened years ago, we can help. A criminal conviction isn’t necessary to pursue a successful compensation claim, but it can make the process quicker and more straightforward. This is true of both recent abuse cases and historic abuse claims. 

If you’ve reported the abuse to the police, you may be able to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), a government-funded scheme to compensate victims of violent and sexual crime.

We’ll investigate your case thoroughly, gathering evidence and, where appropriate, speaking to witnesses to build a strong case.

This may involve examining a large number of documents, such as police files, social services files, and  education and health records, as well as interviewing witnesses and obtaining reports from experts. We understand that confidentiality may be important to you and we will be able to take steps to maintain confidentiality. 

Throughout the process, we’ll keep you informed and involved. We’ll discuss potential strategies, such as early negotiations with the defendant, to achieve the best possible outcome.

We’re here to help. You can call us on 0800 0448488 or email or request a call back.

 

The importance of hiring a specialist child abuse lawyer

Coping with the sensitive and complex issues surrounding such a traumatic experience is distressing and can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s vital to have a specialist legal team on your side with expertise and compassion to guide you through the process. An experienced child abuse solicitor can provide invaluable support, helping to protect your rights, look after your  best interests and secure the answers and compensation you deserve. 

For many years, Enable Law has been trusted by countless victims of child abuse to pursue compensation claims. Our team of specialist solicitors has a proven track record of success in handling cases of all complexities. 

We bring a wealth of experience, expertise and care to every case. We take the time to listen to the unique challenges you or someone you care for faces and guide you through your claim with the compassion and professionalism you deserve.

 

How much compensation can be awarded for child abuse?

The amount of compensation awarded for child abuse varies depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Factors such as the severity of the abuse, its duration and the long-term impact on the victim play a significant role in determining the level of compensation. 

While no amount of money will ever compensate for experiencing abuse, it can help to give you a more secure and stable future, as well as a sense of justice.

 

Historic child abuse claims

Even if the abuse occurred many years ago, you may still be able to seek justice and compensation. While historic abuse claims can be more complex than more recent cases, and take longer to settle, with careful investigation and legal expertise, it’s possible to achieve a successful outcome.

Making a historic claim is a similar process to pursuing a claim for more recent abuse.

If a conviction has been secured, the process is likely to be quicker and easier. It may be more difficult and take longer to gather the necessary evidence to bring a successful claim if there has been no recent official or criminal investigation into your case. However, it may still be possible to pursue compensation.

Historic child abuse claims are extremely complex. If you want to pursue compensation, it’s essential you speak to an experienced solicitor. At Enable Law, our specialist solicitors have extensive experience in handling historic child abuse claims. We’ll work diligently to investigate your case, gather evidence and build a strong case to get you and your family the compensation you deserve. You can expect us to be honest at every step, we’ll let you know the likelihood of achieving a positive outcome, so you can decide what you want to do.

 

Child abuse claims against social services

Social services have a role to protect children and to carry out this role they can investigate reports of abuse or neglect, assess the risk of harm to a child and take appropriate action to safeguard their welfare. 

Unfortunately, there are times when a child experiences harm and abuse that could have been avoided by earlier or more appropriate child protection steps taken that can lead to serious consequences, such as: 

  • Failure to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect promptly. 
  • Incorrect assessment of risk, leading to inadequate protection measures. 
  • Placing a child in an unsafe environment, such as with an abusive foster carer.

If social services have failed to manage you appropriately and left you in a situation where you have experienced abuse or neglect that could have been avoided, you may be able to claim compensation. A successful claim can provide financial compensation for the harm caused, as well as help with the costs of therapy and other support services.

 

Abuse in foster care, schools and the clergy

Abuse in foster care

Many children find themselves in local authority care and spend time in foster care. Local authorities have responsibility to safeguard children placed in foster care and can be held responsible for the actions of a foster carer.

If you or a loved one has experienced abuse or neglect in foster care, you may be able to pursue a claim against the responsible agency. Our team of specialist child abuse solicitors can help you understand your legal rights and seek justice. 

Abuse in schools

Schools should be a place where children are safe from harm and abuse.  If you or your child has experienced abuse in school, whether by a teacher, another employee of the school or another pupil you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.  

An experienced child abuse lawyer can help you:

  • Investigate the incident: Gather evidence and speak to witnesses.
  • Identify the responsible parties: Determine who is responsible for the abuse.
  • Pursue legal action: File a claim against the school or other responsible parties.
  • Seek compensation for damages: Recover compensation for the harm caused by the abuse.

 

Abuse in religious institutions

Abuse within church and religious institutions can be particularly complex and challenging for victims. One significant issue is the power imbalances that exist, as abusers often hold positions of significant authority and trust, which can intimidate victims and deter them from coming forward. Cultural and religious barriers also play a role, as victims may feel compelled to remain silent due to their beliefs or fear of social stigma and shame. Institutional cover-ups can also happen, with churches and other religious organisations sometimes seeking to hide abuse or protect those responsible. The complex legal landscape can add another layer of difficulty, as some religious institutions have extensive resources and established legal defenses, making it challenging to hold them accountable.

Despite these challenges, it is possible to pursue justice and seek compensation for abuse within religious settings.

We have a dedicated team of child abuse solicitors with experience in claims involving sexual and physical abuse by priests, vicars, curates, ministers, volunteers and others in positions of authority within various religious orders. 

Our specialist solicitors have successfully pursued claims against the Catholic Church, the Church of England, the New Apostolic Church, New Life Church and the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

 

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims for child abuse

In some cases, pursuing a traditional civil claim may not be feasible. 

If this is the case, we can explore alternative options like a CICA claim. While CICA can offer financial support, it’s important to note that the maximum award is £500,000 and the Scheme has strict eligibility criteria. 

Often, the amount of compensation you receive from the CICA is lower than what you would receive through a civil claim. We carefully assess your situation to determine the best course of action and ensure you receive the best possible outcome.

Trusted expertise

As expert solicitors focusing on serious injury, medical negligence, mental capacity and education, you can trust us to get the best results for you.

We know how hard it is to deal with the harm you or a loved one has suffered. We’ll support you with empathy every step of the way.

We can help you on a no win no fee basis, meaning you don’t need to worry about funding legal costs

Our support doesn’t end after a claim. We can help you with your financial affairs after settlement and introduce you to charities and organisations that might be able to help you going forward.

Why you need expert legal support

Claims against social services require a great deal of expertise. Our dedicated team of specialist child abuse solicitors includes members of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL) and has considerable experience in this complex area of law.

We have a proven track record of success in complex social services failure cases. We will be in your corner to help secure the best results to help you move forward. 

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