Members of our abuse team have provided training to Devon Rape Crisis on how to claim compensation for rape.
Our specialist abuse lawyers offer free training to sexual abuse charities. It’s a popular service and focuses on how to claim compensation for rape and sexual assault.
Lawyers Elizabeth Duncan and Carly Sylvester recently met with members of staff at the Devon Rape Crisis Centre in Exeter to talk about how rape survivors can obtain compensation through schemes like the CICA. Elizabeth and Carly looked at the challenges that applicants face, and answered questions about the support they can provide to service users who may have a claim under the scheme.
Devon Rape Crisis offers confidential, specialist support to anyone aged 13 or over throughout Devon and Torbay who has experienced rape, sexual assault, or childhood sexual abuse—whether it happened recently or years ago. They operate a free anonymous helpline and email support service, staffed by trained volunteers, with scheduled hours for phone support and 24/7 access via the national Rape Crisis helpline Group programmes—such as peer support for survivors of abuse. You can read more about their incredible work here:-
https://devonrapecrisis.org.uk/
Carly and Elizabeth help clients navigate their way through the CICA compensation scheme and are experienced in overcoming the pitfalls that can arise. They handle claims all the way through to the appeal hearings stage and have achieved a number of impressive results for their clients.
While you do not have to have a solicitor to make a criminal injuries claim, it often pays to speak to a specialist lawyer. We have appealed and reviewed CICA decisions directly leading to significant increases in the compensation awarded. Examples include:
- The case of SJ where we secured an increase on the initial offer of £22,000 to £241,901 on review.
- GS’s claim where the offer of £11,000 was increased to £144,721 on appeal.
- The claim of MM whose initial offer of £3,300 rose to £93,775 on appeal.
If you would like expert guidance on how to claim compensation for rape, or would like to challenge an offer that has already been made to you, then please do not hesitate to contact our specialist team for a free and confidential consultation.
