Thousands of victims to miss out under CICA Reform Proposals
February 01, 2012
Posted by:Rebecca Sheriff
Yesterday Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke revealed that thousands would be denied compensation under plans to scrap compensation for minor injuries under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
Clarke announced that injuries such as sprained ankles, broken toes, broken fingers, bruised ribs and dislocated jaws would no longer qualify for compensation under his proposals. Worryingly however the cuts would also extend to victims of crime that have suffered brain injuries including minor brain damage, controlled epilepsy and permanent disabling dislocations and fractures.
If these proposals are implemented it would be a gross injustice to victims of crime who, in the majority of cases, are unable to bring civil claims against their attackers: Violent criminals rarely have assets from which to pay their victims compensation.
Clarke also concluded that rapists, murderers and all those who have committed crimes against others and have unspent criminal convictions will in most cases also no longer be eligible to compensation when they become victims of violent crime themselves. This follows reports that murderer Ian Huntley made a claim for £100,000 after being attacked in prison by a fellow inmate.