Sexual abuse victim fights for compensation
A woman who was sexually abused by her stepfather for over a decade is attempting to overturn laws that prevent her from claiming compensation from public funds.
The current law
The current criminal injury compensation rules state that a claim may not be brought where the victim was born before October 1979, and where the abuse was carried out by an individual living under the same roof.
The restriction was originally introduced in an attempt to ensure that the perpetrator doesn’t benefit from any compensation that the victim is awarded.
The case
The 51-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was abused by her stepfather between the ages of 5 and 17 years, from 1968 and throughout the 1970’s Her stepfather was jailed for eleven and a half years after being convicted of rape and indecent assault.
Speaking about the current law, she said:
it is about the principle, because this is wrong.
“These rules simply don’t make any sense. If someone is raped by a stranger
the rules allow them to receive criminal injuries compensation.
“But I had that every day, it wasn’t simply a one-off event, and I am not entitled.”
Though there have been challenges to these rules in the past on the grounds of human rights, this will be the first attempt to overturn is under the new Equality Act, on the basis that the victim is being discriminated against on the grounds of her age.
If you, or a loved one, have suffered from sexual abuse, and you would like expert advice, we can help.
Our experienced Criminal Injuries & Abuse Team will ensure that your case remains confidential, and that all guilty parties are held accountable.
For further information, please contact Greg Neill on 0151 242 1061
You can also contact us via email: [email protected]
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