Domestic Violence And Abuse Compensation Claims Guide

By Megan Swan. Last Updated 9th October 2023. In this guide, we look at when you could claim compensation for domestic violence. In some cases, you may be able to claim directly against the perpetrator. However, if this is not possible, you could make a criminal injury claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The CICA award compensation to victims of violent crimes in England, Wales and Scotland. For the purposes of this guide, we will be focusing on the process of claiming via the CICA.

Throughout this guide, we discuss the process of making a claim through the CICA, including the eligibility criteria that need to be met, the evidence you may need to provide, and the time limits you need to be aware of. 

Additionally, we look at how compensation for abuse is calculated when making a claim through the CICA. 

Finally, we discuss how a No Win No Fee solicitor could assist you in seeking criminal injury compensation for domestic abuse. 

If you have any questions while or after reading this guide, or you would like to get started with your potential claim, please do not hesitate to contact an advisor.

• Call on 0800 073 8801
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Select a Section

1. Eligibility To Claim Compensation For Domestic Abuse Through The CICA
2. Evidence To Support A Domestic Abuse Claim
3. Calculating Compensation For A CICA Claim
4. No Win No Fee Solicitors For Domestic Abuse Compensation Claims
5. Useful links Relating To Domestic Abuse Claims And Domestic Violence Compensation

Eligibility To Claim Compensation For Domestic Abuse Through The CICA

You could make a claim for compensation for domestic violence through the CICA. However, in order to make a CICA claim, you must meet their eligibility requirements. These are:

1. You must have been injured in a crime of violence. The CICA Scheme provides some examples of incidents that are classed as a crime of violence. This includes assault, threat of assault and sexual abuse.
2. The incident must have taken place in England, Wales, Scotland or another relevant place, such as a boat registered in one of these countries.
3. You must have reported the incident to the police.
4. You must make your claim within the relevant time limit (this is generally 2 years from the date you reported the incident to the police).

For more information about how the CICA can help with awarding compensation for victims of abuse, you can contact our friendly advisors.

Evidence To Support A Domestic Abuse Claim

When making a claim for compensation for domestic violence through the CICA, you must provide them with certain evidence. This is:

• A police reference number to prove that you have reported the incident.
• Evidence that you meet the residency requirements.
• Medical evidence regarding the criminal injuries you have suffered.

It is important to note that the CICA will be able to liaise with the police for any additional information they may need regarding the incident.

If you have any questions regarding how to make a CICA claim for domestic abuse or would like to receive free advice for your case, you can contact one of our advisors.

Calculating Compensation For A CICA Claim

If you make a successful claim for compensation for domestic violence through the CICA, you will be awarded compensation for your injuries.

Your injuries will be valued in line with the tariff of injuries found in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. In the table below, we have listed some of the amounts found in this tariff that are relevant to CICA claims for domestic violence.

Injury	Compensation	Notes
Physical and Domestic Abuse of Children - Severe	£13,500	A persistent pattern of repetitive violence that has resulted in severe multiple injuries/
Physical and Domestic Abuse of Children - Severe	£8,200	A persistent pattern of repetitive violence that has resulted in significant multiple injuries.
Physical and Domestic Abuse of Children - Severe	£5,500	A persistent pattern of repetitive violence that has resulted in multiple injuries that are moderate.
Physical and Domestic Abuse of Children - Serious abuse	£2,000	Intermittent physical assaults that have resulted in healed wounds, scalds or burns but there is no appreciable disfigurement.
Physical and Domestic Abuse of Children - Minor abuse	£1,000	Intermittent or isolated assaults that result in hair being pulled from the scalp etc.
Physical and Domestic Abuse of Adults	£8,200	A persistent pattern of severe abuse lasting over a period of 3+ years.
Physical and Domestic Abuse of Adults - Severe abuse	£5,500	A pattern of repetitive violence that results in a disfigurement that is minor.
Physical and Domestic Abuse of Adults - Serious abuse	£2,000	Intermittent physical assaults that resulted in an accumulation of healed burns, wounds or scalds with no appreciable disfigurement.

Compensation For Domestic Violence In The UK – Special Expenses

As part of your CICA claim, you could also be awarded special expenses. Under special expenses, you could receive:

• Any equipment you relied on as a physical aid that was damaged in the incident, such as your glasses or a hearing aid.
• Any equipment that you need to cope with your injuries, such as kitchen equipment.
• Adaptations to your home, such as adding a stairlift or ramp.
• Care costs that relate to your bodily functions or food preparation.

All of these costs must be necessary, reasonable, and directly resulted from your injuries. They also cannot be available for free elsewhere.

Furthermore, you may also be able to claim for a loss of earnings through the CICA. However, specific criteria need to be met.

To learn what this criteria is, or for additional information about claiming compensation for victims of abuse through the CICA, you can contact our advisors.

No Win No Fee Solicitors For Domestic Abuse Compensation Claims

If you have valid grounds to claim for domestic abuse compensation, then you could choose to seek help from a solicitor. If you discuss your claim with our advisors, they could review your case, and they may then connect you with one of our solicitors.

One of our No Win No Fee solicitors may offer to support your claim under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This is a type of No Win No Fee agreement, and it means you won’t have to pay any upfront or ongoing fees to your solicitor for their services. Also, you won’t need to pay your solicitor for their work if your claim is unsuccessful.

If your claim seeking compensation for abuse succeeds, then the No Win No Fee solicitor who helped you will take a success fee from you. This is a legally capped percentage taken from the compensation awarded to you.

For more advice on how No Win No Fee solicitors can support claiming compensation for victims of abuse, you can speak to our advisors for free. You can reach them by:

• Calling 0800 073 8801
• Filling in our online contact page
• Using our 24/7 live chat service

Useful Links Relating To Domestic Abuse Claims And Domestic Violence Compensation

Women’s Aid
Find information and advice about how to deal with domestic violence and abuse, as well as how to get the help you need.

NHS Domestic Violence Help
Find out further information about how to get help and support if you have suffered domestic violence or domestic abuse with this guide from the NHS.

Government guidance on domestic abuse

Find out more about how to recognise domestic abuse, the kinds of abuse that people can be subjected to and reporting abuse, along with medical treatment options. And it covers how to report to the police about any harmful situations.

Psychological injuries claims

Our guide to claiming for psychological injuries such as depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Sexually harassed at work claims
This guide takes you through the process of claiming for sexual abuse at work.

Sexual abuse compensation claims 

This guide will tell you all you need to know about claiming compensation for sexual abuse, both recent and historic.

Thank you for reading our guide on domestic violence compensation claims and domestic abuse compensation claims. To make domestic abuse claims with us, please get in touch.