Abuse Claim Lawyers
Clear, confidential information for people who may be able to bring an abuse compensation claim against an individual, institution, organisation, or other responsible party.
What Are Your Options After Abuse?
If you experienced abuse — whether recently or many years ago — you may be able to bring a civil compensation claim against the person responsible, or against the institution that allowed the abuse to happen. A claim is separate from a criminal case, uses a lower standard of proof, and can often proceed without a conviction. Speaking to a lawyer confidentially is a safe first step.
Survivors of abuse often wait years — sometimes decades — before speaking about what happened. There are many reasons for this, and all of them are understandable. Fear, shame, confusion, and the power held by abusers or institutions can all make it extraordinarily difficult to come forward.
This website is here to help people understand the possible legal options that may be available to them. Whether you experienced abuse recently or many years ago, whether it involved an individual or an institution, and whether or not there has been a criminal investigation, you may still have a right to pursue a civil compensation claim. The information here is provided calmly and practically, so you can consider your position in your own time.
What Types of Abuse Compensation Claims Exist?
Abuse compensation claims can arise in many different settings. Select a category below to learn more about how these claims work.
Child Sexual Abuse
Claims arising from sexual abuse suffered during childhood, whether in a domestic, institutional, or other setting. Responsibility may extend to organisations that failed to protect children in their care.
Learn moreSexual Assault Claims
Civil claims for compensation following sexual assault or rape, which are separate from criminal proceedings and may be brought against individuals or institutions.
Learn moreInstitutional Abuse
Claims against schools, care homes, hospitals, detention centres, and other institutions where abuse took place or was allowed to continue.
Learn moreClergy Abuse
Claims involving abuse by members of the clergy or within religious organisations, where institutional structures may have enabled or concealed the abuse.
Learn moreSchool Abuse
Claims relating to abuse in schools, including boarding schools, day schools, and educational settings where safeguarding duties were breached.
Learn moreCare Home Abuse
Claims for abuse suffered in children's homes, residential care, and foster care placements where local authorities or providers had a duty of care.
Learn moreFoster Care Abuse
Claims involving abuse in foster care placements, where placing authorities may bear responsibility for failing to vet, monitor, or protect.
Learn moreSports Organisation Abuse
Claims relating to abuse by coaches, trainers, or officials within sports clubs and youth organisations that failed to safeguard young participants.
Learn moreTrafficking & Exploitation
Claims involving human trafficking, forced labour, sexual exploitation, and modern slavery, where civil remedies may be available against perpetrators and enablers.
Learn morePhysical Abuse Claims
Claims for physical abuse in settings where institutions, employers, or public bodies had a responsibility to prevent harm, such as care homes, detention facilities, and schools.
Learn moreHow Do Abuse Compensation Claims Work?
A civil compensation claim for abuse is different from a criminal case. In a civil claim, the goal is to obtain financial compensation for the harm you have suffered. The standard of proof is lower than in criminal proceedings, and you do not need a criminal conviction to bring a civil claim.
Civil claims may be brought against the person who carried out the abuse, but they are often brought against the institution, organisation, employer, or public body that was responsible for the setting in which the abuse occurred. This is sometimes called vicarious liability or institutional liability. Many institutions — including schools, churches, care homes, sports bodies, and local authorities — have been found liable for abuse carried out by people they employed, supervised, or placed in positions of trust.
Why Do People Delay Coming Forward?
It is extremely common for survivors to wait before seeking help, and there are many valid reasons why. Understanding these reasons is an important part of how the legal system now approaches abuse claims.
Fear and Intimidation
Many survivors feared the abuser, the institution, or the consequences of speaking out. In some cases, threats were made directly or implicitly.
Shame and Self-Blame
Abuse can cause survivors to internalise guilt or shame, even though the responsibility lies entirely with the abuser and those who allowed it to happen.
Trauma and Its Effects
The psychological impact of abuse — including PTSD, dissociation, and suppressed memory — can make it extremely difficult to process or disclose what happened.
Power Imbalance
Abusers often hold positions of authority. Survivors may have felt unable to challenge someone in a position of trust, especially as a child or vulnerable adult.
Not Being Believed
Many survivors worried — with good reason — that they would not be believed, particularly when the abuser was a respected or powerful figure.
Institutional Secrecy
Some institutions actively concealed abuse, moved perpetrators, or discouraged complaints. Survivors were sometimes told to stay silent or that nothing could be done.
Where Can You Bring an Abuse Claim?
The rules governing abuse compensation claims depend on where the abuse happened and which legal system applies. Select a region to learn more.
USA Abuse Claims
Abuse claims in the United States are governed by state law, with significant variations in limitation periods, institutional liability rules, and available legal routes. Some states have introduced revival windows for historic child abuse claims.
Explore USA claimsUK Abuse Claims
Claims in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland may follow different procedures and time limits. Recent reform proposals and active redress schemes continue to shape the landscape for UK abuse claims.
Explore UK claimsEurope Abuse Claims
Europe is not a single legal system. Routes to compensation vary widely between countries, ranging from civil court actions to institutional redress schemes and church-led compensation arrangements.
Explore Europe claimsWhat Are the Latest Abuse Compensation Developments?
Abuse compensation law continues to develop across the world. Rules, redress schemes, and significant litigation can change, which is why it is important to seek up-to-date legal advice. The following are examples of recent developments:
United States
Large-scale institutional abuse litigation continues to be a significant feature of the US legal landscape. Los Angeles County announced a tentative $4 billion settlement covering more than 6,800 sexual abuse claims dating back to 1959, reflecting the scale of institutional accountability being pursued across the country. State-level reforms to limitation periods and revival windows have expanded access to justice for many survivors of historic abuse.
United Kingdom
The UK government stated in February 2026 that the Crime and Policing Bill would abolish time limits for victims bringing child sexual abuse civil claims in England and Wales. In Scotland, Redress Scotland continues to process applications for survivors of historical child abuse in care. The landscape for UK abuse claims continues to evolve through both legislative reform and ongoing civil litigation.
Europe
Across Europe, a number of countries have introduced or are developing compensation mechanisms for abuse survivors. Ireland's Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is open for applications. Portugal's Catholic Church announced compensation for 57 victims in March 2026. Spain's government and Catholic Church signed a deal in late March 2026 for a compensation process in clergy abuse cases that can no longer be prosecuted.
This information reflects developments known at the time of writing. Because rules and schemes can change, you should always seek current legal advice about your specific situation.
What Evidence May Still Exist?
Many survivors believe that because their abuse happened years ago, there will be no evidence to support a claim. In reality, evidence can come from many sources, and a skilled legal team will know where to look. Types of evidence that may still exist include:
Explore Our Guides
Types of Abuse Claims
Child abuse, institutional abuse, clergy abuse, and more
USA Abuse Claims
State laws, lookback windows, and institutional liability
UK Abuse Claims
England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
Europe Abuse Claims
Redress schemes, church compensation, and cross-border claims
How Claims Work
Step-by-step guide from enquiry to settlement
FAQ
Answers to common questions about abuse claims
Contact
Request a free confidential case review
You Do Not Need to Work This Out Alone
If you think you may have a claim, you can take a first step by making a confidential enquiry and getting clear advice on your options.
