If you have suffered abuse in the Church of England, you may be able to get help through a new compensation scheme. This scheme is being created to support victims of abuse by offering financial payments, therapy, and emotional support. Abuse includes physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual, psychological, neglect, and even financial abuse.

The Church of England Redress Scheme is expected to open soon, with payments ranging from £5,000 to £660,000, depending on your situation.

If you need help right now, the Church has a temporary scheme offering short-term financial support.

This scheme is designed to acknowledge and address the suffering caused by church-related abuse. It aims to provide victims with compensation and support to help rebuild their lives. Victims can also request a formal apology from the Church.

The process will have four stages:

1. Stage 1: Compensation between £5,000 and £150,000 based on the type of abuse.
2. Stage 2: Additional payments for factors like how long the abuse lasted. The amount awarded in Stage 1 could be doubled.
3. Stage 3: Extra compensation of up to £250,000 for the lasting impact of the abuse.
4. Stage 4: In rare cases, awards from Stages 1–3 could be increased by up to 20%.

Anyone who has experienced abuse by the Church of England, its parishes, or cathedrals can apply, no matter where the abuse happened or where you live now.

The scheme is not about erasing the pain of what happened, but acknowledging the harm done. It aims to provide some form of justice and help you move forward.

It is not yet known when exactly the Scheme will open for applications. However, we expect a further update on the Scheme in February 2025. Once open, we anticipate the scheme will remain open for 5 years.

If you think you might be eligible, it’s a good idea to prepare your claim as soon as possible.

If you or someone you know has been affected, our team of specialist solicitors at Winston Solicitors can offer a free consultation to guide you through the process.

The interim scheme has been in place since 2020 for those in urgent need. It provides short-term financial help to people severely affected by abuse.

Payments start at £2,500 and are meant to help people who are struggling because of their experiences. To qualify, you must show that the abuse has caused serious harm to your mental or physical health, that you need urgent support, and that no other help is available.

We know it can be hard to speak about abuse. Our experienced team is here to support you with care and understanding. If you have questions or want to discuss your situation, please contact us for free, confidential advice.