My Grandfather Sexually Abused Me, Can I Claim?
Welcome to our guide looking at the question “my grandfather sexually abused me, can I claim compensation?”. Sexual abuse by a family member is something that nobody should have to experience. Not only can it cause physical injuries, but it can also result in severe psychological repercussions that can impact a person for years to come. However, there is a route to compensation for the pain and suffering the abuse has caused you.
I Was Sexually Abused By A Grandparent, Could I Claim Compensation?
When considering making a claim against someone for criminal injuries, there are two routes you can take. Firstly, you may be able to claim against the perpetrator directly. This will usually only be successful if they have the funds available to pay you compensation.
Alternatively, you can claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). They are a government-sponsored agency that aims to compensate those who were injured in a violent crime in England, Scotland and Wales. We’ll look at claiming through the CICA throughout this guide.
The more we know about the circumstances surrounding your claim, the more accurately we will be able to assist you. Get in touch with our advisors today if you have any questions at any point during this article. They will be able to let you know if you have a valid claim and may even be able to connect you with an expert solicitor from our panel. Read on for more information, including our contact details.
Get In Touch With Our Team
You can get in touch with our advisors in a number of ways.
- You can call us on 0800 3870 4868
- Chat to us using the pop-up window in the bottom right
- Fill out our form online to see if you could have a valid claim
Services And Information
- Everything You Need To Know About Grandfather Sexually Abused Me Claims
- What Does It Mean If My Grandfather Sexually Abused Me?
- Ways In Which Sexual Abuse Can Be Committed
- What Injuries Could Sexual Abuse By Your Grandfather Cause?
- Calculating Compensation If My Grandfather Sexually Abused Me
- Symptoms Of Intra-Familial Sexual Abuse
- How Long After Being Sexually Abused Could I Make A Claim?
- What Steps Should I Take If My Grandfather Sexually Abused Me?
- Reporting Sex-Based Crimes
- How To Report Historical Sexual Abuse By A Grandparent
- How Litigation Friends Can Help Under 18s Claim
- My Grandfather Sexually Abused Me, Can I Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Guides For Victims Of Sexual Abuse
- FAQs About Claiming If You Were Sexually Abused By A Grandparent
Everything You Need To Know About Grandfather Sexually Abused Me Claims
Some victims of abuse may think, “I was sexually abused by my grandfather; I can’t make a claim”. This, however, is not the case. There are ways that victims of sexual abuse can be compensated for the ordeal they’ve suffered through.
You may assume that you can only claim if you were a child while the abuse took place, but this isn’t the case. A claim for sexual abuse by a grandfather can be made even if the grandchild is an adult. If you’ve been forced or pressured into engaging in sexual activity with your grandfather, then this is classed as sexual abuse.
In this guide, we will look at what constitutes child sexual abuse and how this can be committed. We will also look at the long-term physical and mental impact of sexual abuse. Furthermore, we will look at the kinds of damages that can be claimed in a compensation claim for sexual abuse.
Statistics on child sex abuse have been collected by the Office of National Statistics. In the year ending March 2019, it’s estimated that around 3.1 million people aged 18-74 were victims of sexual abuse before they had turned 16 years old. When in the context of the population, this makes up around 7.1% of adults aged 18-74.
What Does It Mean If My Grandfather Sexually Abused Me?
Some victims of abuse might be thinking, “I’m not sure if my grandfather sexually abused me or not”. They may be unclear regarding what actually constitutes sexual abuse by a grandfather or otherwise.
Sexual abuse is when you are forced, coerced or tricked into engaging in sexual activities without your consent. There are a number of sexual offences outlined in the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
It is important to understand that sexual abuse is characterised by a lack of consent. Any sexual activity without the full consent of both parties is sexual assault. Children under the age of 16 cannot legally consent to sexual activity, so any sexual contact with a child under the age of 16 is assault.
If you have been sexually abused by your grandfather and want to know if you’re eligible for compensation.
Ways In Which Sexual Abuse Can Be Committed
There are different forms of intra-familial child sexual abuse. The abuser does not need to have contact with the child for abuse to take place. For example, they could:
- Send the child inappropriate images on social media/messaging apps
- Expose themselves to the child
- Force the child to watch pornography
- Make their victim masturbate
Sexual abuse can also include physical contact between the perpetrator and the victim. These might include:
- Penetrating a child with an object or body part
- Inappropriate touching, kissing or groping
- Making them undress and/or sexually engage with someone else
- Forcing a child to engage in sexual activities
In cases where the claimant is over 16, their claim could still be valid. If you’ve been forced, tricked or coerced into engaging in sexual activity with your grandfather, even if you’re over 18, this is classed as abuse.
If you’re unsure whether a grandfather has committed sexual abuse, then get in touch with our advisors today. We will be able to speak with you about your circumstances and let you know if you have grounds to claim.
What Injuries Could Sexual Abuse By Your Grandfather Cause?
For those wondering, “I think my grandfather sexually abused me, how might this affect me?” there are a number of symptoms that could arise due to both physical and psychological injuries. Both of these kinds of injuries could lead to a valid claim for compensation.
Below, we have looked at the kinds of injuries and repercussions that may be felt following sexual abuse.
Symptoms and types of physical injuries
It’s not uncommon for victims of sexual abuse to have no visible or physical injuries. However, especially violent cases of sexual assault may have caused things like bruises, cuts and even broken bones. In cases of penetrative sexual acts, there could be internal injuries too.
Even in the absence of broken bones or internal injuries, sexual abuse could result in pregnancy or an STI. Some STIs can cause long-term health problems and may even cause infertility.
Symptoms and types of psychological injuries
When a child is sexually abused, there are a number of behaviours that can indicate something is wrong. For instance, the child may begin avoiding their abuser and seem afraid of them. They may also exhibit sexual behaviour that is inappropriate for their age group. They may also have problems sleeping or become angry or withdrawn.
Adults who were abused as children can suffer psychological damage into adulthood. They may experience problems with alcohol or drugs, mental health problems or emotional difficulties. They may also have problems with their physical health or struggle when maintaining relationships.
If you’ve suffered from any of the injuries above after being sexually abused as a child, you could claim compensation for your injuries. Why not get in touch with our team today and speak with an advisor?
Calculating Compensation If My Grandfather Sexually Abused Me
General Damages
When claiming compensation for sexual abuse in the family, such as father/daughter sexual abuse, there are two main figures to consider. These are known as general damages and special expenses.
General damages are awarded to the claimant for the pain and suffering they experienced as a result of sexual abuse in the family. The money is paid by Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This is a government-run scheme designed to make sure victims of violent or criminal injuries receive compensation. The CICA is a good option for those who are unable to claim against their abuser directly as they would not have the funds to pay them compensation.
With claims made through the CICA, the defendant does not have to be found guilty for you to receive your payout. All that’s required is for the crime to have been reported to the police.
We’ve listed some figures from the CICA tariff in the table below. These demonstrate how certain injuries are valued by the CICA.
| Injury | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Minor – non-penetrative sexual physical act(s) over clothing | £1,000 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Minor – non-penetrative frequent sexual physical act(s) over clothing | £1,500 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Serious – non-penetrative sexual physical act(s) under clothing | £2,000 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Serious – pattern of repetitive non-penetrative sexual physical acts under clothing | £3,300 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | One incident of non-penile penetrative or oral genital act(s) | £3,300 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Two or more isolated incidents of non-penile penetrative or oral genital act(s) | £4,400 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Pattern of repetitive, frequent incidents over a period up to 3 years | £6,600 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Pattern of repetitive, frequent incidents over a period up to 3 years or more | £8,200 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | One or more isolated incidents of non-penile penetrative or oral genital act(s) resulting in serious internal bodily injuries | £22,000 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | One or more isolated incidents of non-penile penetrative or oral genital act(s) resulting in permanent and moderate mental illness | £22,000 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | One or more isolated incidents of non-penile penetrative or oral genital act(s) resulting in permanent and severe mental illness | £27,000 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Non-consensual penile penetration of one or more of vagina, anus or mouth – one incident | £11,000 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Non-consensual penile penetration of one or more of vagina, anus or mouth – one incident involving two or more attackers | £13,500 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Non-consensual penile penetration of one or more of vagina, anus or mouth – repeated incidents over a period of up to 3 years | £16,500 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Non-consensual penile penetration of one or more of vagina, anus or mouth – repeated incidents over a period of 3 years or more | £22,000 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Non-consensual penile penetration of one or more of vagina, anus or mouth – resulting in permanent moderate mental illness | £22,000 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Non-consensual penile penetration of one or more of vagina, anus or mouth – resulting in permanent severe mental illness | £27,000 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Non-consensual penile penetration of one or more of vagina, anus or mouth – resulting in internal bodily injury with permanent moderate mental illness | £33,000 |
| Sexual assault (for a child) | Non-consensual penile penetration of one or more of vagina, anus or mouth – resulting in internal bodily injury with permanent several mental illness | £44,000 |
Special Expenses
The second head of a personal injury claim is special expenses. This is a figure paid to the claimant to cover certain costs. In order to claim something as a special expense, you need to show that it is reasonable, necessary and incurred as a direct result of the accident.
In order to claim any special expenses, you need to show that you were unable to work for 28 weeks following an accident. However, the expenses will be covered from the day of the accident.
For instance, you may be able to claim back something that you relied on as a physical aid that was damaged in the attack. This could be something like glasses or a hearing aid.
You may also be able to claim for the cost of treatment that you need but that the NHS doesn’t provide for free. You’ll need to show a letter from your local authority proving that you can’t access these services for free elsewhere.
You can also claim loss of earnings as a result of your injuries. However, you need to be able to show that you were unable to work for at least 28 weeks following the accident. You will not be compensated for the first 28 weeks.
For more information on how general damage and special expenses are calculated, call our team of advisors today.
Symptoms Of Intra-Familial Sexual Abuse
“Will my parents be able to tell that my grandfather sexually abused me?” is a query many victims may have. Part of detecting child abuse is noticing changes in behaviour in both the child and the family member suspected of committing the abuse.
Children can lack the skills to articulate what is wrong due to their limited life experiences. They’re unlikely to come out and say, “I was sexually abused by my grandfather”. Because of this, parents and guardians must stay vigilant if they’re suspicious of someone, even a family member.
Signs a young person has been abused by a family member
If a young person is suffering from sexual abuse, there are types of behaviour to look out for. These characteristics may already be present in the child but could become more pronounced. They also don’t necessarily mean they’re being abused. However, they’re important to watch out for. Some of these behaviours include:
- Unexplained personality changes, such as anxious behaviour or mood swings
- Poor bonds with members of the family
- Knowledge of issues or matters that seem inappropriate or unusual for their age
- Lacking social skills
- Going missing or running away from home
- Always dressing in a way that covers their body
Signs that a family member is committing abuse
There are also signs you can watch out for in adults you suspect of committing sexual abuse. Again, these signs are not absolute proof. They can, however, raise some flags for people who already suspect abuse could be taking place.
- Belittling the child and referring to them with pejorative terms
- Limiting the child’s contact with others
- Gives conflicting information or poor excuses for the child’s physical and mental condition
- Use of harsh physical discipline
- Demanding attention from the child and seeming jealous when they’re with other family members
How Long After Being Sexually Abused Could I Make A Claim?
To answer the question “my grandfather sexually abused me, how long do I have to claim?” the answer is generally 2 years. However, there are some exceptions to this. You can read about these in greater detail below.
General Accident Claims
Many claims of this nature will have to abide by this 2-year time limit. However, there are some instances where this time limit can be extended.
If you can show that there were exceptional circumstances that prevented you from making a claim at the time, then you may still be eligible to claim. You will also need to provide enough evidence of your claim that extensive further investigations into the matter won’t be necessary.
Child Accident Claims
If you were a child at the time the abuse took place, then you may not have been in a position to claim yourself within the time limit. For this reason, an exception to the time limit has been made to applicants who were under 18 at the time of the incident.
If the abuse you suffered was not reported to the police while you were under 18, then you have 2 years from when you report the abuse to claim through the CICA. If the abuse was reported, you could claim up until your 20th birthday. While you’re under 18, a parent or guardian can pursue a claim on your behalf.
Claiming On Behalf Of Those With A Reduced Mental Capacity
If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to claim themselves, then someone else can apply on their behalf. The CICA will require evidence that you’re entitled to do so.
You also might need to provide medical evidence that the person you’re representing is “incapable by reason of mental disorder”, according to the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
What Steps Should I Take If My Grandfather Sexually Abused Me?
Following an incident or period of abuse, you should make sure that you receive any relevant medical care. This could include tending to physical injuries but also things like mental health counselling. This step will also help generate evidence for the later stages of your claim.
You should also report the sexual abuse to the police. This may seem intimidating, but without a crime reference number, you will be unable to pursue your case through the CICA.
Gathering evidence will also be a vital stage during this process. Along with medical records, you could take photographs of visible injuries or submit things like text or email communications between you and your abuser. Your own account of the experiences will be helpful too.
Seeking legal advice will also help your claim. Our team of expert advisors will be able to answer your questions regarding your claim. We can also let you know what your next steps should be.
Reporting Sex-Based Crimes
There are a number of avenues you can explore when reporting a sex-based crime. Victims of abuse can feel overwhelmed and asking things like, “my grandfather sexually abused me; who can I report it to?”. There are many helplines, some of which we’ll list below. However, if you want to make a claim, you must also report the incident to the police.
- You can report child abuse to the NSPCC
- In an emergency, you can call 999. 101 will also reach the police if you wish to report abuse; you can also attend a police station to make the report in person
- NHS 111 can also offer advice
- Immediate injuries could be tended to at an A&E department
Remember, in order to make a claim through the CICA, your abuse must have been reported to the police. Get in touch with our team for more information on the steps you need to take to make a sexual abuse claim.
How To Report Historical Sexual Abuse By A Grandparent
Some victims of sexual abuse feel like they’ve hit a roadblock in their abuser is now dead. People ask us, “my grandfather who sexually abused me is now dead, can I still make a claim?”. The answer is yes, you can. Even if your abuser is still alive, but it happened a long time ago, your claim still could be valid. These cases are known as historic sexual abuse.
They can often take place long after the usual 2-year time limit has expired. However, the CICA can make exceptions to this time limit. You must give a good reason why you did not come forward within the time frame. However, these claims can still be made. They’re still made through the same channels as other sexual abuse claims.
How Litigation Friends Can Help Under 18s Claim
People under 18 cannot legally pursue their own claim. They must be a legal adult. For them to make their claim through the CICA before they become an adult, a parent or guardian must make a claim on their behalf.
Once they turn 18, they have 2 years to make a claim provided that the abuse was reported while they were underage. If it wasn’t, they have 2 years from the date the abuse is reported.
My Grandfather Sexually Abused Me, Can I Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
No Win No Fee claims mean that you will not need to cover the legal costs of their solicitor following the conclusion of an unsuccessful claim. You also won’t be asked to pay in order for the claim to start or while it’s ongoing.
If your claim is successful, then your solicitor will be paid via a small, legally capped percentage from their payout. This will be agreed upon before they start working on your claim.
Our panel of solicitors work with all of their clients on a No Win No Fee basis. If this is a method of pursuing a claim that appeals to you, then get in touch with our team today. They could connect you with a No Win No Fee lawyer if they feel your claim has a good chance of success.
- You can call us on 0800 3870 4868
- Chat to us using the pop-up window in the bottom right
- Fill out our form online to see if you could have a valid claim
Guides For Victims Of Sexual Abuse
Here’s some additional material you may find helpful.
- The NSPCC website contains plenty of useful insight and information.
- More information regarding how litigation friends can claim on someone else’s behalf.
- Support for rape and sexual assault victims from the police.
- How to sue on behalf of someone else.
- More on sexual abuse claims.
- For people who wonder, “how long will my criminal injury claim take?”.
FAQs About Claiming If You Were Sexually Abused By A Grandparent
We’ve taken the time to answer some of the more common questions that we’re asked.
How do you define sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse is when someone forces another person into engaging in sexual activities against their consent. The victim can be either an adult or a child.
How long do sexual abuse claims take
There is no singular answer for this, as every claim is different. However, the CICA Annual Report 2019/20 confirmed that 52% of new applications were decided within 6 months.
Can I claim for historical sexual abuse?
Yes, there are certain circumstances where claims can be successful despite not being made within the 2-year time limit. For instance, you may be able to claim outside of the 2 years if you can show that extenuating circumstances stopped you from being able to claim beforehand.
Do I have to report the abuse to the police?
If you want to make a claim for compensation, then yes. You need a police reference number before further steps can be taken.
Thank you for reading. Hopefully, we have answered the question of “my grandfather sexually abused me, can I make a claim?”.
