The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is an executive agency sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. They deal with compensation claims from people who have been physically or mentally injured from a violent crime.
Until now, the CICA has rejected claims for domestic and sexual abuse that occurred before 1979 when the victim and the abuser lived together under the ‘same roof’. This was known as the ‘same roof’ rule.
The reasons for the rule were difficulties with evidence in most cases, and to ensure that abusers did not benefit from compensation paid to the victim they were living with.
Anyone who was previously denied compensation under the rule, or put off coming forward because of it, will now be able to make fresh applications.
Up to 7,500 victims of child abuse or domestic violence could be able to claim compensation worth as much as £126 million.
If you have any queries regarding this new law, then contact us at Audley Chaucer.
Written by Syeda Anjum
