Sexual abuse and violence: Support, understanding, and your right seek compensation

Sexual abuse and sexual violence can change how a person sees themselves, others, and the world around them. For many survivors, the impact is not only physical, but emotional and psychological and those effects can last for years.

Awareness campaigns help bring these issues into the open, but for survivors, the reality doesn’t end when a campaign does. The need for compassion, understanding, and support exists every day.

If you have experienced sexual abuse or violence, you deserve to know this first and foremost:

What happened was not your fault.
You are not weak for how it affected you.
And you are not alone.

At GLP Solicitors, we support individuals who want to understand their legal options following sexual abuse or violence, including the possibility of claiming compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), always at your pace, and without pressure.

It’s not okay, and it never was

Sexual abuse and violence are never acceptable, regardless of:

  • who was responsible,
  • how long ago it happened,
  • whether you reported it at the time, or
  • how others responded.

Many survivors struggle with self-blame, particularly when the abuse was carried out by someone they trusted, happened during childhood, or was minimised by others. These feelings are common, but they do not mean you are responsible.

If you are reading this and questioning whether your experience “counts”, please know: your experience matters.

Seeking compensation after sexual abuse or violence

Some survivors choose to seek compensation as part of their healing journey. For others, the idea may feel overwhelming or simply not right, and that is okay too.

In the UK, victims of sexual abuse and violence may be able to apply for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This is a government-funded scheme designed to recognise the harm caused by violent crime.

CICA claims may related to:

  • rape or sexual assault,
  • childhood sexual abuse,
  • abuse by a family member, partner, or trusted adult,
  • sexual violence where there was no conviction

A successful claim does not always require the offender to have been charged or found guilty.

Reporting to the police: What you need to know

The CICA usually requires that the abuse or violence was reported to the police. However, this does not mean:

  • you had to report it immediately
  • you had to give a full statement straight away, or
  • the case had to go to court.

The CICA understands that survivors may delay reporting for many reasons, including fear, trauma, shame, or being a child at the time. Each case is considered on its own circumstances.

If you are unsure whether your situation meets the requirements, gentle legal advice can help clarify your options.

Time limits, especially for a childhood abuse

CICA claims are usually expected to be made within two years of the incident being reported to the police. However, this rule is often applied with flexibility in cases involving sexual abuse, particularly childhood sexual abuse.

The CICA can extend time limits where trauma, psychological harm, or other exceptional circumstances prevented an earlier application. Many survivors do not feel able to speak about what happened until much later in life and this is recognised.

If you are worried that too much time has passed, it is still worth seeking advice.

What compensation can recognise

Compensation is not about placing a value on what you went through. It is a formal recognition that harm occurred and that you deserve support.

Depending on the circumstances, a CICA award may include compensation for:

  • physical injuries,
  • psychological harm such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression,
  • loss of earnings
  • certain necessary expenses linked to the impact of the abuse.

Every case is assessed individually.

Making a CICA claim can bring up difficult memories, and the process itself can feel daunting. While some people apply on their own, others prefer to have legal support so they do not have to manage everything alone.

At GLP Solicitors, we approach these cases with care, sensitivity, and respect. Our role is to:

  • explain the process clearly and honestly,
  • handle communication with the CICA on your behalf if you wish, and
  • support you without pressure or judgement.

There is no obligation to proceed, and you are always in control of your decisions.

Support exists: Beyond awareness campaigns

Sexual abuse and violence awareness should not be confined to one week or one hashtag. The message behind #ItsNotOkay matters every day.

If you have been affected by sexual abuse or violence, support is available through specialist charities, counselling services, and legal advice, whenever you feel ready.

Taking the first step can feel daunting, but you do not have to take it alone.