At Bolt Burdon Kemp, our specialist child abuse solicitors help adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and families bringing claims on behalf of children. We understand that these cases are deeply sensitive. Our expertise also extends to all forms of non-sexual child abuse claims, ensuring that every survivor receives the dedicated support they need.
We will take the time to understand what has happened, explain your options and help you understand the safest and most appropriate next step. You will not be asked to share every detail before you are ready.
If you are contacting us about a child, we will handle that conversation sensitively and talk through how a legal claim may sit alongside We also recognise that trauma can continue into maturity, and we support individuals looking to bring sexual abuse claims for experiences that occurred during adulthood.
We are recognised by The Legal 500 as the largest specialist child abuse team in the country, with significant depth, experience and expertise in this area of law. We are proud to be connected with organisations supporting survivors and families, including NAPAC, ACAL and SurvivorsUK.
If you would like to talk to someone about a child sexual abuse claim, contact us for a confidential initial conversation. We will listen with care, explain what may be possible, and help you understand what the next step could look like.
Can I claim compensation for sexual abuse as a child?
A compensation claim cannot undo what happened. It can, however, help provide a sense of justice, recognition and accountability. It can also help pay for therapy, care and practical support for you or your child, now and in the future.
Many survivors and families tell us that making a claim is about more than money. It can be about being heard, understanding how abuse was allowed to happen, and making sure failures are properly investigated. In some cases, it can also help to reduce the risk of other children being harmed.
It may be possible to claim compensation from the perpetrator directly, or an institution that is legally responsible for that person. If the abuser has died, it may still be possible to bring a claim against their estate, for example where there is money, savings or property.
In some cases where there has been a police investigation, an application may be made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, known as CICA, which is a government scheme for people who have experienced violent crime, including sexual abuse. CICA claims have their own evidence requirements, time limits and award system. If this is the case, we will advise you of this and signpost you to the relevant people who can assist with making a CICA claim.
Abuse claims are often brought against organisations that may be legally responsible for what happened and this is usually the best option, if applicable, as an organisation is likely to have insurance in place and the means to pay a compensation award along with legal costs.
Organisations can include schools, children’s homes, local authorities, religious organisations, sports clubs, youth organisations, healthcare settings and other institutions that had responsibility for a child’s care or safety, and who employed the abuser.
The law in this area can be complex, but we will explain it clearly and sensitively. We will look at what happened, whether an organisation is legally responsible for the actions of the abuser, and what evidence may be available now. We will then be able to advise you on which route may be most appropriate for you.
What does the process involve?
Starting a child sexual abuse claim can feel like a big step. You may be contacting us about abuse you experienced when you were younger, or on behalf of a child. Either way, we will make the process as clear and manageable as possible, while treating you and your family with care.
The first step is a confidential conversation with one of our specialist child sexual abuse solicitors. You do not need to have documents ready, remember every date, or share every detail before you feel able to. We will ask questions to understand what happened, what support or safeguarding steps are already in place, and whether we may be able to help.
We will then explain the legal routes available. This may include a civil claim against an individual or organisation, a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, or both. We will also talk you through funding options, including “no win, no fee” agreements. If you decide to proceed, we will begin gathering evidence with your agreement. This may include requesting police records, social services files, school or medical records, safeguarding documents, witness evidence and expert reports.
If the claim is being brought on behalf of a child, we will avoid involving them unless it is necessary and appropriate. Once we have assessed the evidence, we will identify who may be legally responsible and prepare the claim thoroughly. Some claims are resolved through negotiation. Others may need court proceedings, although that does not mean there will be a trial. If court approval is needed for a settlement involving a child, we will guide you through that process and explain how compensation will be protected for their benefit.
We understand that privacy may be one of your biggest concerns. We will explain who needs to know about the claim, how your information will be handled, and what steps may be available to protect your identity where possible.
Bringing a child sexual abuse claim on behalf of a child
A parent, carer or guardian may be able to bring a claim on behalf of a child. In legal terms, this person is usually called a “litigation friend”. This simply means they make decisions in the claim for the child because the child is too young to do so themselves. A litigation friend must act in the child’s best interests.
When we speak with you, we will explain what this role involves and whether it is appropriate in your situation. We can also talk through what happens if there are family difficulties, if the alleged abuser is a family member, or if another adult may need to act for the child instead.
We will do all we can to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your child. In many cases, we can begin by reviewing the documents and information already available, such as police records, medical records, school records, social services documents or safeguarding reports. We will only involve your child directly where it is necessary and appropriate, and we will explain why before any step is taken.
A claim for a child may help secure compensation for therapy, care, educational support, specialist treatment, and future needs linked to the abuse. If compensation is agreed or awarded for a child, the court will usually need to approve the settlement to make sure it is in the child’s best interests. The money is normally protected until the child turns 18, unless funds are needed earlier for their benefit.
Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse
Many people do not speak about child sexual abuse until years, or even decades, later. There can be many reasons for this. You may have been frightened, ashamed, confused, threatened, dependent on the abuser, worried about not being believed, or trying to protect other people. You may not have understood at the time that what happened was abuse.
None of this means you should not ask for advice.
We know that discussing abuse can be painful and exhausting. We will not press you for unnecessary detail. We will ask questions, explain why we are asking them, and give you time. Where possible, we will keep the number of people involved in your case small, so you do not have to repeat your account more than needed.
You can also tell us how you would prefer us to contact you. Confidentiality is especially important in abuse claims, and we will talk through any concerns you have at the start.
How do child sexual abuse claims differ from other child abuse claims?
Child sexual abuse claims are different because the evidence often sits beneath the surface. They usually require a careful investigation into grooming, delayed disclosure, patterns of behaviour, safeguarding failures, and what an organisation knew or should have known at the time.
A claim is not only about proving that abuse happened. It is also about understanding how it was able to happen, who had responsibility for keeping the child safe, and whether warning signs were missed or ignored.
It is very common for a person who experienced child sexual abuse not to tell anyone for many years. This does not mean the abuse was their fault, and it does not mean it is too late to ask for advice.
There may not be medical evidence, witnesses, or a report made at the time. Instead, a claim may be built from the wider picture, including what the person remembers, what they later told others, what records show about the abuser, and whether an organisation failed to act on concerns.
Other child abuse claims, including physical abuse, emotional abuse or neglect, may focus more on day-to-day care, supervision and whether a child’s needs were met. There can also be overlap. In every case, the key question is not only who caused the harm, but who had the power to prevent it.
No one needs to know whether they have a claim before contacting us. The first step is simply a confidential conversation, with no pressure and no obligation to take things further.
Why work with Bolt Burdon Kemp?
Child sexual abuse claims need specialist legal knowledge, careful evidence gathering and a deeply human approach. You need a team that understands the law, but also understands how hard it can be to talk about abuse and how important it is to feel safe throughout the process.
BBK has over 35 years’ experience helping people affected by serious injury and abuse. Our child abuse compensation claims team is recognised by The Legal 500 2026 for its scale, depth and specialist expertise. Our personal injury work is also recommended by Chambers & Partners 2026, and many of our Personal Injury, Sexual and Child Abuse lawyers are accredited by APIL.
We are connected with organisations working to support survivors and families. BBK is proud to be a member of NAPAC’s legal panel, and David McClenaghan and Rebecca Sheriff have both been appointed to the legal panel of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers. We also work with SurvivorsUK, supporting their services for boys, men and non-binary people who have experienced sexual violence.
We will be honest with you about the strengths and risks of the case. We will explain your options clearly, keep you updated, and make sure you remain in control of the decisions that affect you or your child.
Contact us
Whether you are an adult survivor of child sexual abuse, a parent worried about your child, or a carer trying to understand what options may be available, we will give you space to talk and help you understand what may be possible.
Bolt Burdon Kemp has one of the country’s largest specialist child and sexual abuse claims teams. Our work is recognised by The Legal 500 2026 and Chambers & Partners 2026, and our lawyers hold specialist accreditations and memberships with organisations including APIL, ACAL and NAPAC.
We can help you understand the legal routes available, including civil claims and CICA claims, and we can talk through funding options such as “no win, no fee” agreements and legal aid where available. We can also consider practical issues such as therapy, rehabilitation, benefits protection and financial advice after a settlement.
Call us or complete the enquiry form below. When you call BBK, you will speak directly with one of our solicitors. We will listen, answer your immediate questions and talk through what may happen next. If you contact us through the form, a member of our specialist team will get back to you to arrange a confidential initial conversation.
