By Stephen Hudson. Last Updated 28th August 2025. Child abuse compensation is awarded to cover the relevant harm the claimant suffered during childhood. This applies to physical and psychological issues as well as some of the accumulated costs (including medical expenses and the cost of home adaptations). The body that handles claims of this nature is the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), unless you are able to make a claim against the perpetrator or another liable party.

In this guide, we look at how to claim child abuse compensation. We’ll explain how you may be able to claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), a government-funded agency. Other aspects of how to claim, including time limits and compensation for victims of abuse, are also covered.

If you have any questions about child abuse claims, get in touch with our advisors. To speak to us:

• Call on 0800 073 8804.
• Contact us online.
• Use the live chat at the bottom of the screen.

This video below explains the key takeaways from our guide:

Child Abuse Compensation Payouts

When successful child abuse claims are made through the CICA, compensation is awarded via a fixed tariff set out in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. For cases where multiple injuries have been sustained, the payouts are valued according to the multiple injuries formula in the following increments:

• 100% of the tariff amount for the highest value injury.
• 30% for the second highest value injury.
• 15% for the third highest value injury.

Separate tariff payments not subject to the multiple injuries formula can be made if the victim has contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI), become pregnant or lost a foetus as a result of the abuse.

Tariff Payment Examples

Compensation tariffs that can apply to a child abuse claim include the following:

• If you are claiming for multiple instances of very serious abuse plus special expenses, then you may receive up to £500,000 in compensation. Such a payment is not based on any specific tariff. You can learn more about special expenses in the next section of this guide.
• If you’re claiming for non-consensual penile penetration which causes severe and permanently disabling mental illness plus a serious internal injury, the tariff amount is £44,000.
• For non-consensual penile penetration which causes moderate and permanently disabling mental illness and a serious internal injury, the tariff amount is £33,000.
• When claiming for repeated incidents of non-consensual penile penetration that have lasted over 3 years, the tariff amount is £22,000.
• For sexual assault that has caused severe mental illness, the tariff amount is £27,000.
• If you’re claiming for sexual assault that has caused a serious internal injury, then the tariff is set at £22,000.
• When claiming for one sexual assault incident, the tariff is £4,400.
• For a persistent pattern of physical abuse experienced as a child that caused multiple severe injuries, a tariff of £13,500 is offered.
• If claiming for a persistent pattern of physical abuse experienced as a child that caused multiple moderate injuries, a tariff of £5,500 is offered.

Please note that the first entry has not come from the CICA tariff.

Loss of Earnings And Special Expenses Payments

You may receive loss of earnings payments as part of your child abuse compensation payout if you require time off work due to the abuse you have experienced. There are certain eligibility criteria that need to be met in order to claim loss of earnings so you should speak to advisors to check what payments you’re entitled to.

A compensation payout could also include special expenses payments. These are for certain costs incurred as a result of the abuse suffered. We have included a few examples here:

• Repairs or replacements to personal aid equipment that was damaged in the incident.
• Care costs relating to your bodily functions or food preparation.
• Equipment needed to cope with your injuries.

As with claiming loss of earnings, there are certain eligibility criteria that will need to be met. So, for more information on claiming criminal injury compensation or a free assessment of your eligibility, contact our advisors today.

What Is Child Abuse?

Child abuse refers to physical and psychological abuse inflicted on children. It could include smacking or hitting a child, verbal or emotional abuse, or sexual abuse. This abuse could be inflicted by another child or an adult, such as a parent or guardian.

According to the child protection charity, NSPCC, child abuse can happen online as well as in person.

Here at Legal Expert, we’ve conducted our own research into the rates of child abuse, specifically physical abuse inflicted by parents and guardians. This abuse focuses on the physical side, such as smacking, which has been reported in the media recently as a growing concern.

You can discover the results of our research here.

Who Can Be Sued In Child Abuse Claims?

Both individuals and responsible organisations can potentially be sued in child abuse claims, depending on the circumstances:

• Abuse committed by family members: There may be childhood abuse compensation claims against biological or stepparents, siblings, or relatives.
• Abuse within schools: Such claims can be made against teachers, other students, or staff members who commit acts of physical or sexual abuse against a pupil. 
• Institutional abuse: These claims include incidents of abuse in environments where children are meant to be protected and cared for. Some examples include foster homes, boarding schools, and adoptive homes.
• Religious organisations or sports teams: Sports coaches or religious figures may exploit their authority to abuse the children under their care. In certain cases, the institutions may be liable for the abuse.
• Historic abuse: Some survivors may delay reporting abuse due to trauma, stigma, or other procedural delays. However, it may be possible for a survivor to claim compensation for child abuse even if it occurred years ago.

Our advisors are available 24/7 if you would like to share your own experience. They are here to listen and provide free, no-obligation guidance tailored to your unique circumstances. You can also receive a sensitive, carefully reviewed assessment to help determine if you have a valid case to pursue child abuse compensation.

How To Begin Child Abuse Claims

There are several different ways to seek compensation for abuse. You could make a claim directly against the perpetrator or a vicariously liable party. However, if neither of these avenues is viable, you could make a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) if you have proof that you meet the eligibility criteria.

The criteria that must be met to claim compensation for victims of abuse through the CICA include:

• The incident must have been reported to the police. You will need your police reference number to show this has been done.
• You will need to adhere to the time limits. 
• The incident must have taken place in England, Wales, Scotland or another relevant place. 
• You must have suffered a mental or physical injury in a crime of violence. The CICA’s definition of a crime of violence includes sexual assault.

Although you require your police reference number to start a claim, you do not need to wait for a conviction or for the assailant to be caught. The CICA will liaise with the police to help assess your claim. 

To find out if you meet the eligibility criteria to claim for a criminal injury, speak with one of our advisors for a free case assessment.

How Long Do I Have To Claim Compensation For Abuse?

If it’s known who the abuser is, it can sometimes be possible to make a claim directly against them. However, this depends on factors such as whether the assailant:

• Is identified and caught
• Has the funds to pay the compensation

If a claim is made directly against the assailant, then the time limit is generally three years from the date the child turns 18. This means that the claim must be started within this period of time. However, there can be exceptions. Prior to the child reaching adulthood, the time limit is suspended.

If the above is not applicable, a claim could still potentially be made through the CICA. The CICA is funded by the government and pays compensation according to a fixed tariff in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012.

If you wish to claim compensation for abuse through the CICA, you generally have a two-year time limit from the date of the abuse. However, each case is judged on a case-by-case basis. In other words, this time limit is not necessarily absolute. For instance, you may have felt emotionally overwhelmed or unsafe due to the thought of coming forward. Some historical abuse claims can sometimes be made outside the two-year window.

If you’d like the assistance of our child abuse solicitors in making a historical abuse claim, get in touch today.

Do I Need Evidence To Claim Compensation For Abuse?

If you are seeking abuse compensation through the CICA, you will need to provide specific forms of evidence. These are:

• A police reference number to prove that the incident was reported.
• Proof that you meet the residency requirements.
• Medical evidence regarding your injuries.

It is important to note that when you are making a claim through the CICA, they will be able to liaise with the police for any additional information they may need regarding the incident.

If you are seeking compensation for abuse from a vicariously liable party, the evidence you may need to submit could differ. If you need more information about claiming criminal injuries compensation for physical violence, you can contact an advisor from our team who can help.

Can I Claim If My Child Has Been Sexually Abused?

Yes, you can make a CICA claim for your child if they have been the victim of a violent crime, including sexual assault or abuse.

Your child could wait until they are 18 to start their CICA claim, but it can be a good idea to start early, as time passes; gathering evidence can become more difficult.

Our solicitors are experts in helping people seek compensation for childhood trauma or abuse. If you are thinking about claiming on someone else’s behalf and would like advice, please call or get in touch online today.

What Is The Child Abuse Claims Process?

To claim compensation for childhood trauma, the first thing you should do is contact us. We will then give you a free consultation on whether you have an eligible claim. 

We understand that it can be hard to discuss the circumstances of your abuse, so if you decide to make a claim with us, we will honour your trust and support you every step of the way.

If you are eligible to claim child abuse compensation, and you decide to proceed with your claim with us, these will be the four main stages of the child abuse claims process:

1. Investigation – we’ll take the time to understand the full extent of what’s happened. We’ll note any physical and psychological injuries you’ve suffered as a result of your abuse, and we may refer you to have an independent medical and psychiatric examination so that the full extent of your suffering is known. We may also have a look into the records kept by the courts, police, local authorities, schools, or medical institutions. We will also decide who your claim needs to be made against, whether that’s an individual directly, or a vicariously liable party.
2. Rehabilitation – All types of abuse can cause long-term physical and psychological suffering. We will help you access all the support you need now and in the future. 
3. Compensation – we’ll calculate how much child abuse compensation you’re entitled to. To calculate this, we’ll look at factors such as the severity of your psychological and physical pain, what medical expenses you might have had to pay, and whether your ability to work has been affected as a result of your trauma. 
4. Conclusion – if liability is accepted by the defendant, you’ll be awarded compensation. Otherwise, the claim may have to be taken to court (which is rare). If the claim is taken to court, your solicitor will continue supporting you and will sort out your legal representation. Our solicitors work with all of their clients on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning that you don’t have to pay anything for your solicitor’s help if the claim ends up unsuccessful. 

If you have any questions at all about the child abuse claims process, please contact us today. Our expert solicitors have won over £80 million in compensation for their clients, and they can potentially help you today.

No Win No Fee Child Abuse Solicitors

When making a claim through the CICA for the abuse you suffered as a child, you could choose to contact us about getting support from a solicitor. We can review your case, and if we determine you have a strong claim and you’re happy to go forward with it, we could then connect you with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors.

Our No Win No Fee solicitors can support child abuse compensation claims under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Under such an agreement, you will not have to pay any solicitor fees upfront or while your claim is being processed. Another benefit is that you won’t need to pay your solicitor these fees if your claim proves unsuccessful.

If the solicitor wins your case, they will take a success fee from your compensation as a payment for their work. Since the maximum percentage that can be charged is capped, you will receive most of the compensation.

To reach our team, you can:

• Call us on 0800 073 8804
• Start your claim with our online form.
• Use our 24/7 live chat service.

Child Abuse Claims – Other Resources And Guides You Can View

Other guides you may find helpful:

• Get information on claiming compensation for rape victims

Additional links you might find useful:

• A government overview of how to report child abuse
• Further government guidance on reporting rape or sexual assault

Thank you for considering our guide about child abuse claims.