In this guide, we will look at what indicators of sexual abuse could be and how you might be able to claim for sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is a crime that could potentially cause psychological damage and physical injury to the victim. It’s important to note that you can claim for psychological issues without related physical injuries.
Indicators of sexual abuse guide
This guide will cover indicators of sexual abuse in children and adults and signs of other forms of abuse. We will also look at how you could potentially claim compensation for what has happened to you.
You could also get in touch with our team of advisors for free legal advice. If they think your claim has a good chance of success, they could pass you on to a specialised solicitor from our panel to start your claim today.
We would like to note here that some sections of this article may cause distress if you have suffered psychological trauma as a result of your sexual abuse. If you would prefer to directly discuss your claim with an advisor, feel free to make a call now rather than reading this article. Our advisors are able to handle these types of cases with sensitivity and confidentiality.
- Call us on 0800 408 7825
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Select A Section
- What Are The Indicators Of Sexual Abuse?
- Signs A Child Is Being Sexually Abused
- Indicators Of Sexual Abuse In An Adults
- Indicators Of Other Forms Of Abuse
- Sexual Abuse Compensation Calculator
- Talk To Us About Making A No Win No Fee Claim
What Are The Indicators Of Sexual Abuse?
Sexual assault is defined in the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It occurs where someone intentionally touches another person sexually without consent to do so.
You can claim for sexual assault directly against the perpetrator of the crime. However, in order to do so, you would need to have identified them
When making a sexual abuse claim, you can also make a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This government agency awards financial compensation to those harmed by violent crimes.
To receive a payout from the CICA, the incident must have been reported to the police. It is also important that you need to start your claim within 2 years of the occurrence, though there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Even if you are claiming through the CICA, the solicitors from our panel can still help you. They can provide the relevant experience to make the claims process as smooth as possible during a difficult time. Want to know more? Get in touch today.
How Does The CPS Define Child Sexual Abuse?
According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), child sexual abuse is where someone forces or incites a child to engage in sexual contact. This may not involve a high level of violence and the child might not be aware of what is going on.
It can be committed by men, women and even other children. Some examples of sexual assault may include:
- Masturbation, kissing, touching or rubbing outside the clothing
- Forcing someone to view pornography
- Grooming a child in preparation for abuse
- Encouraging children to behave inappropriately
- Forcing a person to have sex with someone else
The CPS also provides a definition for rape. Rape is defined as when a person uses a penis to penetrate the vagina, anus or mouth of another person without consent. A person without a penis cannot legally commit rape but may be considered guilty if they assist a male perpetrator in an attack.
This section is not exhaustive. If you have been a victim of rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse in a way we have not already mentioned, you could potentially still claim compensation. To find out more, get in touch with us today.
Signs A Child Is Being Sexually Abused
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) describes a few key indicators of sexual abuse you can look out for in children. This could include, but are not limited to:
- Avoiding being alone with certain people
- Unexpected language or behaviour unbefitting their age
- Nightmares or bed-wetting
- Alcohol or drug misuse
- Unhealthy changes in eating habits
- Self-harm
- Bruising
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Pregnancy
- Discharge, bleeding, pain or soreness in the genital or anal areas
It is important to keep an eye out for these signals as some children may be unable to communicate with their caregivers about what is happening to them. However, this section is not exhaustive. There could be other non-verbal signs that a child is being abused.
If you are concerned a child is being sexually abused, the NHS recommends reporting it as soon as possible. You could anonymously take the issue directly to the police or the local children’s social services. Alternatively, you could get advice from the NSPCC first by using their free helplines.
A parent or guardian can make a claim on behalf of a child for sexual abuse. To find out more about how, get in touch now.
Indicators Of Sexual Abuse In An Adult
Some indicators of sexual abuse for adults may be similar to those for children. However, as adults are likely to be more aware of what is happening to them, there will also be some differences. Some examples of signs could include:
- Loss of sleep
- Torn, bloody or stained underwear
- A preoccupation with anything sexual
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Pregnancy
- Unexpected or unexplainable changes in behaviour
- Bruising and soreness around the genitals
These could also apply to adults with mental disorders that prevent their giving consent to sexual activity. This group could be considered more vulnerable as they may not have the capability to communicate or report what is being done to them. Because of this, the abuse could potentially go on for longer and be more damaging.
If you’ve been the victim of sexual abuse and would like to make a compensation claim, why not get in touch now? A member of our team of advisors will be happy
Indicators Of Other Forms Of Abuse
Sexual abuse is only one form of abuse that could be harmful to people. A person could also suffer from, and claim for, other forms of abuse such as physical, psychological and neglect. It is also possible to experience more than one type of abuse at a time. Because of this, some indicators could be similar.
Some common signs of physical abuse could include:
- Bruising
- Fractured bones
- Burns
- Depression and anxiety
Some common indicators of neglectful abuse could include:
- Untreated medical issues
- Confusion
- Malnutrition
- Bedsores
Some common signs of emotional or psychological abuse could include:
- Fear
- Loss of sleep
- Unexplainable and unexpected changes in behaviour
- Depression
However, these examples are not exhaustive. It is possible that someone may show different signs of abuse or no signs at all. If you’re concerned someone is being abused, it is recommended to report it to the correct authorities as soon as possible.
Sexual Abuse Compensation Calculator
This section includes a table of set compensation amounts for sexual abuse. These are taken from the CICA tariff of injuries.
| Offence | Injury Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual Offence Against Victim of Any Age | Sexual Assault | £2,000 | Non-penetrative sexual acts under clothing. |
| Sexual Offence Against Victim of Any Age | Sexual Assault | £3,300 | Penetrative or oral-genital acts that do not include a penis. |
| Sexual Offence Against Victim of Any Age | Sexual Assault | £6,600 | A pattern of frequent abuse for up to 3 years. |
| Sexual Offence Against Victim of Any Age | Sexual Assault | £27,000 | Sexual abuse that has resulted in a severe and disabling mental illness. |
| Sexual Offence Against Victim of Any Age | Non-consensual penile penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth | £22,000 | Sexual abuse that has resulted in serious internal injuries. |
| Sexual Offence Where Victim is a Child or an Adult with Mental Incapacity | Sexual Assault | £2,000 | Serious non-penetrative sexual and physical acts under the clothing. |
| Sexual Offence Where Victim is a Child or an Adult with Mental Incapacity | Sexual Assault | £8,200 | Repetitive incidents over a period of 3 years or more. |
| Sexual Offence Where Victim is a Child or an Adult with Mental Incapacity | Non-consensual penile penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth | £16,500 | Repeated incidents of non-consensual penetration for up to 3 years. |
| Sexual Offence Where Victim is a Child or an Adult with Mental Incapacity | Non-consensual penile penetration of one or more of vagina, anus or mouth | £22,000 | Sexual abuse that has resulted in serious internal injuries. |
| Sexual Offence Where Victim is a Child or an Adult with Mental Incapacity | Non-consensual penile penetration of one or more of vagina, anus or mouth | £27,000 | Sexual abuse that results in a permanent and severely disabling mental illness. |
You could also claim for financial losses relating to your injury. These are called special expenses and could include:
- Funeral costs
- Loss of earnings
- Adaptions to the home
- Damage to physical aids such as wheelchairs
In order to claim special expenses, costs must be reasonable, necessary and a direct result of the crime. To be eligible to claim special expenses through CICA, you usually have to be unable to work for 28 weeks or more.
Most special expenses will be backdated to the date of the incident; however, loss of earnings won’t be backdated and you will only be compensated from the 29th week onwards.
To find out more about what CICA could reimburse you for, why not get in touch today? A member of our claims team could offer you free legal advice.
Talk To Us About Making A No Win No Fee Claim
If you’re thinking about starting a sexual abuse claim, you may also be thinking about the financial implications of hiring a solicitor. A No Win No Fee agreement could benefit you.
The solicitors on our panel offer their services on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that you do not need to pay your solicitor for their work if your case ends up being unsuccessful. You also don’t need to worry about upfront or ongoing costs.
However, you may be wondering what fees could be attached if your case is successful. Your solicitor will deduct a success fee from your compensation amount if this happens.
This is only taken once your compensation amount once it is fully paid and is legally capped. This legal cap means you will get to keep the majority of the compensation you are awarded.
If you think this could work for you, get in touch with us today. Our advisors can provide sensitive and specialised advice on the claims process. They can also pass you on to a solicitor from our panel, who could help you start a sexual abuse claim.
- Call us on 0800 408 7825
- Use the live chatbox on this page to get instant answers
- Use our online contact form
Further Resources on Sexual Abuse Claims
Thank you for reading our article on the indicators of sexual abuse and how you might be able to claim for sexual abuse. We hope you found it helpful. For further resources, please see below.
Claiming for Psychological Damage– This guide explains how you could claim for emotional harm.
Claiming for Grevious Bodily Harm (GBH)- This guide looks at making a claim through the CICA for GBH.
Mental Health Compensation Calculator – Our guide can help you calculate how much you could be owed for mental health issues relating to an accident.
Rape Crisis – A registered charity aiming to support victims of sexual assault in England and Wales.
Mind – A registered charity for those struggling with mental health issues.
Sexual Assault and Abuse – An NHS page on sexual assault and abuse.
Thank you for reading our guide about the indicators of sexual abuse.
Article by AO
Publisher ET