Criminal Injuries Compensation For Victims Of Sexual Abuse
| DOI | 10.1177/026455059904600108 |
| Date | 01 March 1999 |
| Published date | 01 March 1999 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
40
PRACTICE NOTE
Criminal
Injuries
Compensation
For
Victims
Of
Sexual
Abuse
Many
offenders
in
the
Criminal
Justice
System
have
themselves
suffered
abuse
and
may
be
entitled
to
criminal
injuries
compensation.
Marie
Valente
explores
some
aspects
of
the
criminal
injuries
compensation
scheme
and
highlights
the
role
probation
officers
can
play
in
assisting
applications.
xploring
the
underlying
causes
of
offending
behaviour
can
reveal
victimisation,
often
in
childhood.
This
article
explores
pertinent
aspects
of
the
criminal
injuries
compensation
scheme
which
affect
applications
by
those
involved
in
the
Criminal
Justice
System
who
have
been
abused.
The
Criminal
Injuries
Compensation
Scheme
Compensation
is
payable
for:
&dquo;...
injuries
directly
resulting
from
a
crime
of
violence
or
threat
of
violence&dquo;
(CICA,
1996,
p.10).
It
is
important
to
remember
that
the
definition
of
violence
is
wide
and
can
include
a
range
of
behaviours:
for
example,
poisoning,
neglect
or
injury
resulting
from
arson.
Levels
of
compensation
are
dictated
by
a
tariff
scheme
ranging
from
£1,f100 -
E250,000
depending
on
the
nature
of
the
injury.
There
is
increasing
disquiet
over
the
low
levels
of
awards
for
sexual
abuse.
Significant
awards
can
be
paid
for
shock,
particularly
if
the
symptoms
are
severe
and
persistent.
Compensation
can
be
paid
for
loss
of
earnings
after
28
weeks
and
for
special
expenses
incurred
as
a
consequence
of
the
injury.
Probation
officers
can
offer
much
assistance
within
the
limits
of
professional
boundaries. They
are
in
a
position
to
identify
clients
who
are
possibly
eligible
for
compensation
and
can
impart
information
about
the
scheme.
Encouragement
to
apply
and
support
throughout
the
process
can
be
an
invaluable
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