A survivor of sexual abuse secures compensation to help rebuild her life
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse can often blame themselves for what they suffered when they were younger and many are unable to consider taking legal action until many years later.However, one brave woman who sued the man who abused her when she was a young child has been awarded almost £185,000 in damages. The compensation payment is believed to be the highest ever in this type of case.
The survivor’s abuser was sentenced to eight years imprisonment after being convicted of a large number of sex offences against three young girls. The woman was the victim of two sexual assaults that had taken place when she was 10 years of age. As a result of the abuse she had suffered psychological injury and this had seriously affected her education and later career prospects.
The survivor was in her 20s when civil proceedings were brought against her abuser. The Court accepted that she had been deeply and lastingly affected by the abuse and that this which had fundamentally altered the course of her life and that her psychological l injuries had been worsened by her abuser’s denial of guilt and the necessity of her giving evidence at his trial. The Court awarded her damages of £184,607, to reflect her pain and suffering and lost earnings. The award would also be used to pay for her psychiatric treatment and to assist her in returning to education. The abuser was also ordered to pay the survivor’s legal costs.
If you have been abused and would like to speak to someone who can help, contact James Davies on 01473 298159 or email [email protected]. You can also speak to Survivors in Transition who can offer you support for men and women who have experienced abuse in their lives.
