Survivors of abuse in the Church do not need to suffer in silence, even though some institutions have tried to cover up the abuse. Bolt Burdon Kemp has been able to help many survivors of such abuse gain compensation, treatment and closure by bringing their claims and holding religious organisations to account.
If you were abused as a child our team can help you bring a compensation claim against the religious organisation involved. It is also possible to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Please get in touch now. We usually work on a no-win, no-fee basis and will work tirelessly to see that you receive justice.
Reporting abuse to the police
If you were abused, or you think your child is being abused, firstly you must report it to the police. Child abuse, whether it is sexual, physical, or emotional, is a crime. The police have specially trained officers who can visit you at home or anywhere you feel most comfortable. Victim support can also offer support throughout this process.
For more information, read our guide on how to report or disclose child abuse.
Making a claim against religious organisations
We have brought claims against many religious organisations for abuse carried out by priests, vicars, nuns, ministers, vergers, church assistants and church musicians. And the organisations involved include the Catholic Church, Church of England, Church in Wales, Evangelical Churches, Protestant Churches and Jewish organisations.
Who to bring a claim against
You may wish to sue the individual who committed the abuse, but you may also be able to bring a claim against the religious institution itself on the basis that it was responsible for the person who committed the abuse.
Religious organisations are usually insured against compensation claims for child abuse and Bolt Burdon Kemp’s team of solicitors have the expertise to advise you on your options.
Vicarious liability?
In order to bring a claim against the religious organisation responsible for abuse carried out by one of its members, we will establish that the organisation is vicariously liable for the abuser. We will gather all necessary evidence to prove how the abuser used their position within the organisation to commit their acts of abuse.
It is also possible to bring a claim against the religious organisation by proving that their negligence allowed the abuse to take place. If you told someone who was part of the church, such as a priest, and they failed to act on your information, then this is classed as negligence.
You can also bring a negligence claim against the religious organisation if it knew about the abuse or knew that the abuser was dangerous and failed to intervene.
Are there any time limitations?
The law on time limits for bringing a civil compensation claim for child sexual abuse has recently changed. Prior to the introduction of the Crime and Policing Act 2026, survivors of childhood sexual abuse had three years from their 18th birthday to bring a claim. Following the recent change in the law, this three-year time limit has now been abolished and survivors are no longer automatically prevented from bringing their claim due to the passage of time since the abuse occurred.
Under the new law, the defendant must prove to the court that a fair trial is no longer possible, and this is a complete defence to a childhood sexual abuse claim if the court agrees. While there may still be issues for the court to consider if a defendant chooses to raise this argument, for example the availability of documents and witnesses, the passage of time alone should not stop you from seeking legal advice or exploring your options.
Our specialist abuse team has extensive experience supporting survivors of historic abuse. We understand how difficult it can be to talk about your experiences and are committed to providing sensitive, compassionate advice tailored to your needs.
How Bolt Burdon Kemp can help you
If you are a victim of child abuse in the Church, as a leading firm in this field, we can help you receive justice. We are committed to representing survivors of child abuse, and never defend abusers or any parties associated with them. We will assess your child abuse compensation claim for free and we can then work with you to fund any further action you decide to take.
Our team of experienced solicitors understand how tough it can be to take action, but we can help you through the process step-by-step, so you can win compensation and move on from this difficult time in your life.
We have a proven track record of winning many child abuse claims against various religious organisations. You can have absolute trust that you will have a specialist and experienced legal team fighting on your behalf. We represent most of our clients on a no-win, no-fee basis and can offer Legal Aid.
Success stories
- We represented F who suffered childhood sexual abuse at the hands of Peter Stewart, a youth group leader at an Anglican Church in Canterbury. F was abused between the ages of 12 and 14 during the 1990s. As a result of the abuse, F developed mental health problems, including alcoholism. It was not until he was aged 25 that he felt able to disclose the abuse and report it to the police. Stewart was convicted four years later in 2011. We secured £50,000 compensation for F, which included compensation to help him get the treatment he needed
- When D was aged between 15 and 17 years, from 2008 to 2010, he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Father Michael Smith, his local parish priest in Kent. As a result of the abuse D under-performed at school and did not attend university as he had intended. D instructed us to act for him and we recovered £80,000 for D to help him get the treatment he needed and help him return to education
