Guidance for the USA, UK and Europe

Abuse Compensation Claims: Confidential Guidance for Survivors

Survivors of abuse can often claim compensation through the civil courts, from the abuser or from the school, church, care provider or other institution responsible, even decades later and without a criminal conviction. This site explains how claims work in the USA, UK and Europe and how to ask a lawyer for a confidential case review.

Request a confidential case review See how claims work

Your enquiry can be handled with sensitivity, care, and confidentiality.

Prefer to talk? UK: 01228 272395 · US: (202) 934-2954

Last updated: 11 September 2026

Who we help
People who experienced abuse, recently or many years ago, in the USA, the UK or Europe. That includes abuse in schools, care settings, churches and other organisations.
What support is available
Plain-English guides to how claims work, and a way to ask a lawyer for a confidential case review. UK enquiries are reviewed by Edward & Amaury Solicitors; US enquiries by Cross & York LLC.
Your next step, at your pace
Send a short enquiry or call. You do not need to share every detail, there is no obligation to proceed, and any fees are explained before you decide.

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.

Could You Have a Claim?

Every situation is different, but these points apply to many abuse claims.

Time may not have run out

Rules on time limits vary depending on where the abuse happened and the type of claim. Some jurisdictions have extended or removed time limits for certain abuse claims, particularly those involving child sexual abuse.

Read about historical abuse claims

You do not need a conviction

A civil compensation claim is separate from a criminal case and uses a different standard of proof. Many successful civil claims have been brought without a criminal conviction, and some have been brought even where a criminal case did not proceed.

Civil and criminal cases explained

A claim can be against an institution

In many cases, an institution such as a school, church, care home, or local authority may be legally responsible for abuse carried out by someone it employed, supervised, or placed in a position of trust.

See the types of claim

Not sure? That is understandable

Many people are unsure at first. Speaking to a lawyer in confidence can help you understand whether the facts of your situation may give rise to a legal claim, without any obligation to proceed. A family member or trusted friend can make the first enquiry on your behalf.

Read all the questions

A lawyer can advise whether a historic claim may still be possible in your circumstances.

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 more about Child Sexual Abuse

Sexual 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 more about Sexual Assault Claims

Institutional Abuse

Claims against schools, care homes, hospitals, detention centres, and other institutions where abuse took place or was allowed to continue.

Learn more about Institutional Abuse

Clergy Abuse

Claims involving abuse by members of the clergy or within religious organisations, where institutional structures may have enabled or concealed the abuse.

Learn more about Clergy Abuse

School Abuse

Claims relating to abuse in schools, including boarding schools, day schools, and educational settings where safeguarding duties were breached.

Learn more about School Abuse

Care 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 more about Care Home Abuse

Foster Care Abuse

Claims involving abuse in foster care placements, where placing authorities may bear responsibility for failing to vet, monitor, or protect.

Learn more about Foster Care Abuse

Sports Organisation Abuse

Claims relating to abuse by coaches, trainers, or officials within sports clubs and youth organisations that failed to safeguard young participants.

Learn more about Sports Organisation Abuse

Trafficking & Exploitation

Claims involving human trafficking, forced labour, sexual exploitation, and modern slavery, where civil remedies may be available against perpetrators and enablers.

Learn more about Trafficking & Exploitation

Physical 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 more about Physical Abuse Claims

How 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.

The process at a glance

Confidential enquiry
You can share as much or as little information as you feel comfortable with at this stage.
Initial legal review
A lawyer will review the information you have provided and consider whether the facts may give rise to a legal claim.
Limitation and jurisdiction
The lawyer will consider which laws apply to your claim, including limitation periods and jurisdictional questions.
Records and evidence
If the claim proceeds, the legal team will begin gathering evidence to support your case.
Negotiation or court
Many abuse claims are resolved through negotiation and settlement without the need for a full trial.

There are eight steps in all, from the first enquiry to settlement or a court outcome. Read the full step-by-step guide

Costs and Funding

Worrying about cost should not stop you finding out whether you have a claim.

Many abuse compensation claims are handled on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless your claim is successful. The specific fee arrangements vary between firms and jurisdictions, and a lawyer will explain the costs position clearly before you commit to anything.

In some cases, legal aid may be available, particularly for certain types of abuse claims or for survivors who meet financial eligibility criteria. Insurance policies — such as household insurance — may also provide legal expenses cover.

Read how legal fees are handled in abuse claims

UK enquiries

Edward & Amaury Solicitors offer a free, no-obligation initial assessment and will explain any fees before you decide whether to go ahead.

US enquiries

Cross & York LLC will explain any fees before you agree to anything.

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 claims

UK 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 claims

Europe 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 claims

UK Guides

Detailed information on UK claim types, routes, and government schemes.

Historical Abuse Compensation

Can you still claim for abuse that happened years or decades ago?

Criminal Injuries Compensation (CICA)

How the UK government's CICA scheme works and who can apply

Sexual Abuse Compensation Claims

Making a civil sexual abuse compensation claim in the UK

Redress Scotland

Compensation for survivors of historical child abuse in care in Scotland

Institutional Abuse Claims

Claims against schools, care homes, churches, and organisations

Domestic Abuse Compensation

Civil compensation claims for domestic abuse

USA Guides

Detailed guides on time limits, the lawsuit process, and specific claim types in the United States.

Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations

Time limits by state — and how they have changed in recent years

Finding a Sexual Abuse Lawyer

What to know before speaking to a sexual abuse attorney in the USA

How to File a Civil Lawsuit for Sexual Abuse

The civil lawsuit process explained for abuse survivors in the USA

Clergy and Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Suing churches and religious organisations for clergy sexual abuse

Who Reviews Your Enquiry

This website provides general information. Enquiries made through it are reviewed by the regulated firms below.

Who Handles UK Claims

Enquiries about abuse claims in the UK are reviewed by Edward & Amaury Solicitors, a firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. They offer a free, no-obligation initial assessment and will explain any fees before you decide whether to go ahead.

Firm:: Edward & Amaury Solicitors, the trading name of Edward and Amaury Limited
SRA number:: 800525 (check the SRA register)
Phone:: 01228 272395
Email:: [email protected]
Website:: edwardamaury.co.uk

Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate legal systems; the firm will tell you if your claim needs a locally qualified solicitor. Edward & Amaury Solicitors do not advise on claims under US or European law. Read their complaints procedure.

Attorney Advertising

Who Handles US Claims

Enquiries about abuse claims in the United States are reviewed by Cross & York LLC, a law firm based in Washington, DC. Abuse claims are governed by state law, so whether the firm can act for you depends on where your claim would be brought; for claims in other states, the firm works with attorneys admitted in that state. The firm will explain any fees before you agree to anything.

Firm:: Cross & York LLC
Responsible attorney:: Gerald Lee Cross Jr, admitted in Missouri and Kansas
Phone:: (202) 934-2954
Website:: crossyork.com

Contacting the firm or submitting an enquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Full details of both firms, including their addresses, are on the contact page.

What Happens After You Get in Touch

You stay in control of how much you share and what happens next.

You see a confirmation as soon as your enquiry has been sent
Edward & Amaury Solicitors (UK claims) or Cross & York LLC (US claims) get back to you using the contact method that is safe for you
Any fees are explained before you decide whether to go ahead
There is no obligation to proceed

Request a confidential case review

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.

What 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. See our sexual abuse statute of limitations guide for current rules by state.

US enquiries are reviewed by Cross & York LLC, a law firm based in Washington, DC. Attorney Advertising.

United Kingdom

The Crime and Policing Act 2026 removes the limitation period for qualifying childhood sexual abuse personal injury claims in England and Wales, with a fair-hearing safeguard. In Scotland, Redress Scotland continues to process applications for survivors of historical child abuse in care. Our UK limitation reform update explains the change and its scope. See our guide to historical abuse compensation for more.

UK enquiries are reviewed by Edward & Amaury Solicitors, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 800525).

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:

School or institution records
Social services records
Medical records and GP notes
Police records and investigation files
Witness evidence from other survivors or staff
Complaints history and inspection reports
Admissions or findings involving the same institution
Internal documents, policies, or correspondence

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still make a claim if the abuse happened many years ago?

In many cases, yes. Rules on time limits vary depending on where the abuse happened and the type of claim. Some jurisdictions have extended or removed time limits for certain abuse claims, particularly those involving child sexual abuse. A lawyer can advise whether a historic claim may still be possible in your circumstances.

Do I need a criminal conviction to bring a civil claim?

No. A civil compensation claim is separate from a criminal case and uses a different standard of proof. Many successful civil claims have been brought without a criminal conviction, and some have been brought even where a criminal case did not proceed.

Can I claim against an institution rather than an individual?

Yes. In many cases, an institution such as a school, church, care home, or local authority may be legally responsible for abuse carried out by someone it employed, supervised, or placed in a position of trust. Institutional claims are common in abuse compensation cases.

Will my enquiry be kept confidential?

Yes. Any enquiry you make through this website will be handled with strict confidentiality. You do not need to share every detail straight away. A first enquiry can simply help you understand whether you may have legal options.

What if I am not sure whether I have a claim?

That is completely understandable. Many people are unsure at first. Speaking to a lawyer in confidence can help you understand whether the facts of your situation may give rise to a legal claim, without any obligation to proceed.

View All FAQs

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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.

Request a Confidential Case Review Learn How Claims Work