Successful Claim for Grooming Outside of the Two-Year Time Limit

When Vicki was a young teenager, she was groomed by her sister’s older boyfriend. What started as inappropriate touching soon became much more serious abuse. At the time, Vicki didn’t realise what was happening and she had no support from friends and family. She thought the relationship was consensual. It wasn’t until years later that she understood she had been groomed and taken advantage of by someone much older.

The experience left a lasting mark on Vicki’s life. Her mental health suffered for years as she tried to cope with what had happened. In 2018, she bravely reported the abuse to the police. But the court case was repeatedly delayed, adding even more stress to an already difficult situation.

By January 2024, Vicki was still struggling. That’s when she reached out to us for help in making a claim for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

What is the CICA?

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government scheme that compensates victims of violent crime. To make a claim, victims must usually apply within two years of reporting the crime to the police. This time limit can make it harder for survivors like Vicki to access the compensation they deserve. Especially when mental health struggles and ongoing investigations delay the process.

How We Helped Vicki

We knew Vicki’s case wouldn’t be straightforward. Because her claim was outside the usual two-year time limit, we needed to provide strong evidence of why the delay had happened. We worked hard to gather the right information to support her claim by:

• Obtaining medical records to show how the abuse had affected Vicki’s mental health over the years.
• Contacting the police for additional evidence about the investigation.
• Outlining in detail the grooming Vicki had endured, making sure nothing was overlooked.

One big challenge was that the offender wasn’t convicted of certain aspects of the abuse because of how the law was at the time it happened. We had to decide whether it was best for Vicki to claim for the abuse itself or for the impact it had on her mental health, as the CICA only allows victims to claim for one category.

“I instructed Winston to assist me in a CiCA application. Keertan and Heidi made it a stress free process. The communication was amazing and all conversations were done in a sensitive and compassionate way. The knowledge and advice I received was comprehensive but helped me understand each stage of the process. I needed an out of time waiver and was so grateful that they achieved this and I received and award that accounted for all of the offences. I could not recommend them enough. Thank you so much for your help.”

The Outcome

Thanks to the strong case we built, Vicki was awarded £11,000 in compensation. The CICA accepted that the delays were due to her mental health struggles and even factored in the full extent of the abuse, despite the earlier legal limitations.

For Vicki, the compensation wasn’t just about the money. It was about finally being heard and having her suffering acknowledged. We are so proud to have been part of her journey toward justice.

If you have experienced sexual grooming and are considering claiming compensation for rape and sexual assault through the CICA, we can offer you support. Our specialists are trained to handle these sensitive matters with the compassion and professionalism they deserve. You can contact us directly for a confidential discussion at 0330 300 5000 or email cica@winstonsolicitors.co.uk.

Your experience is unique, and there is no right or wrong way to process it. Taking these steps, however challenging, can help lay the foundation for healing and recovery.