Adult sexual abuse claims?
Suffering sexual abuse can have a significant and traumatic impact on your life, with effects lasting for years after the initial incident. At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we recognise that sexual assaults can happen to anyone at any age.
We know how difficult it can be to speak about such devastating events – but claiming sexual abuse compensation could help to rebuild your life.
We have successfully represented individuals who have been sexually assaulted or abused in adulthood.
Reporting the abuse to the police
Sexual abuse is a serious crime. If you have been subjected to sexual abuse, be it a one off sexual assault or sustained sexual abuse, you should consider reporting your abuse to the police immediately.
You should request to speak to a police officer specifically trained in investigating sexual abuse claims. They should then offer to visit you at your home or an alternative safe place of your choice to take further information from you.
How can Bolt Burdon Kemp help?
Our specialist solicitors can help you to make a claim for sexual abuse and seek compensation for your behalf, to assist in getting your life back on track.
We know that no amount of money will ever be enough to compensate you for the abuse that you have suffered but we will work with determination to ensure that you obtain the justice and damages that you deserve.
We understand that it can be upsetting to discuss the abuse that you have suffered and we will work with you to ensure that any distress is kept to a minimum.
We have a large team of solicitors of all genders and you have the choice of which solicitor to work with throughout your claim, to make the process as comfortable as possible.
Our work will include:
- Obtaining admissions of responsibility;
- Obtaining payments throughout the case for treatment; and
- Working with the best experts to help us to obtain the maximum compensation for you.
You can contact us through our website or on 020 3504 7638 to confidentially discuss how we can help you.
We provide advice on claiming compensation for sexual abuse in the UK including:
- Obtaining sexual abuse compensation on a no win, no fee basis; and
- Obtaining compensation via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
Making a sexual abuse compensation claim
We understand that every situation is different and when it comes to claiming sexual abuse compensation, it might be against one individual or an organisation.
Against an individual abuser
You can claim sexual abuse compensation from the individual who abused you directly. We will investigate whether they have enough assets to pay you the compensation that you deserve.
Against an organisation
If you were abused by someone in a position of authority in an organisation, for example, a doctor, a priest at a religious institution or even someone in an education facility, you may have a claim for compensation against that organisation.
We will argue that the organisation responsible for the abuser is responsible for the actions carried out by that member of staff. This is known legally as the principle of vicarious liability. We do this by obtaining evidence to prove that the abuser took advantage of their position of authority to carry out the abuse.
An organisation’s carelessness may also have resulted in sexual abuse. For example, if an institution ignores your complaints about a person who may have made inappropriate sexual advances to you culminating in a sexual abuse or assault.
An organisation may also place you in a situation that resulted in sexual abuse or a sexual assault, such as sending you to an unsafe place to work.
The organisation will be negligent if it is proved that the sexual abuse or assault that you suffered could, and should, have been prevented.
Is there a time limit for making a sexual abuse claim?
You should bring your claim for sexual abuse compensation claim within three years of the sexual assault or commencement of the sexual abuse. In certain circumstances the court can waive this deadline and we are experienced at obtaining permission for claims to proceed outside the time limit.
If you’re unsure about whether you can still make a sexual abuse claim, contact our friendly expert team who will be able to advise on your advise on your individual.
Why choose Bolt Burdon Kemp?
At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we have a team of sexual abuse claims solicitors who will work with you and help you to get compensation. We understand the lasting trauma that sexual abuse can leave behind and we’ll treat your individual case with empathy and respect.
Here are a few other reasons why you can rely on us:
- Advice tailored to you: making a sexual abuse claim is a very personal and sensitive matter. It can be difficult to speak about such trauma and that’s why we treat each client as an individual. Your selected specialist sexual abuse claims solicitor will offer bespoke advice and work to achieve very best outcome for you.
- We offer an early therapy funding initiative: we offer access to privately funded therapy to help you to work through your challenges and give you the best chance of being able to move on with your life.
- Over 35 years’ experience of abuse claims: we’re proud of having helped sexual abuse survivors get the compensation that they deserve. We’re committed to providing the highest standard of service and making the process as smooth and swift as possible for you, no matter how difficult your case may be.
- No win no fee: we can often take cases on a ‘no win no fee’ basis so, regardless of your financial situation, we can help find a way to fund it.
- We’re fully accredited: we’re proud of our accreditations and our dedication is just one of the reasons why our team is featured in The Legal 500 2023 and Chambers and Partners.
If you want to discover how we can help you, get in touch with our team or call us on 020 3504 7638
Success stories
Clerk harassed at work secures £65,000 compensation
Bolt Burdon Kemp represented SOL and obtained £65,000 compensation for him. SOL was a support clerk at a firm of solicitors. Whilst working at the firm he was subjected to harassment at the hands of his boss, who was also in a relationship with a Partner of the firm.
We successfully argued:
- That the firm were responsible for the abuse SOL suffered as they were responsible for the behaviour of his boss; and
- That the firm were negligent as they were aware that SOL’s boss behaved inappropriately towards him.
£92,500 compensation for woman who was sexually assaulted
We obtained £92,500 for LAH from her employer. LAH was a support worker employed by an organisation which helps homeless people find housing. LAH was assigned an individual to support. LAH raised concerns with her supervisor about his inappropriate behaviour towards her. It became known during this case that LAH’s employer had received complaints about the individual previously.
Despite this LAH was sent to his home where he sexually assaulted her.
Bolt Burdon Kemp successfully argued that the organisation was:
- Negligent in ignoring LAH’s concerns;
- Negligent in ignoring previous concerns raised by other employees;
- Negligent in failing to follow its own policies in respect of support workers visiting individuals alone; and
- Negligent in failing to provide proper training.
