Farleys abuse solicitors were instructed on behalf of Client S to apply for a review of the sexual abuse case that she had suffered as a child. We initially acted on behalf of Client S in connection with a claim for Criminal Injuries Compensation, arising from sexual abuse she suffered by her father as a child.
The first incident of sexual abuse occurred when she was just 12 years old. The abuse gradually became worse and more frequent and when our client was 13 years old, her father attempted to have sexual intercourse with her. Although this never happened again the sexual abuse continued regularly up until she was 16 years of age. When she was 18 years old she found the confidence to leave the family home as she was unable to live there anymore and suffer the sexual abuse.
At the age of 17 she disclosed the abuse to her mother, however her father was able to convince the mother that our client was lying. Sadly, this meant that Client S did not feel she was able to report the matter to the Police, as she did not think she would be believed.
In 2005 she received a telephone call from her father who told her that he had also abused her younger sister. Several years later she found the courage to report what had happened to her to the Police. Her father was charged with four offences; he was convicted of these offences and sentenced to five years imprisonment.
As a result of the abuse by her father, our client has had trouble with depression, anxiety and stress. She had to quit her University course and job as a result of the difficulties she was experiencing.
How Farleys were able to help
Our client had received counselling in the past and has been treated with anti-depressants. The CICA made her initial compensation of £3,300 to reflect an incident of sexual assault as a child.
We advised our client to make an application for a review of this decision, on the basis that she had been the victim of sexual abuse for longer than a three year period, but more importantly that she had suffered a psychiatric injury as a result of the abuse.
A detailed statement was prepared on her behalf to the CICA and Farleys Solicitors made representations on her behalf that medical evidence ought to be commissioned to properly consider the application and the extent to which the abuse had impacted upon Client S.
The CICA accepted these representations and instructed a Consultant Psychiatrist to examine our client and prepare a report on her psychiatric injury.
The expert confirmed that she had suffered psychiatric injury as a result of the abuse. She was diagnosed with a generalised anxiety disorder and treatment was recommended. Furthermore, she was diagnosed with a permanent moderate mental illness, the symptoms of which were considered to be having a profound effect on all aspects of her life including her social relationships and ability to work.
Farleys were successful in securing her compensation of £58,000 which included a sum to cover the cost of intensive treatment and also for past loss of earnings.