How to report historic abuse

What is historic abuse?

Historic – or non-recent – abuse is the term given to abuse which occurred some time ago, often upon a person during their childhood or teenage years.

Such cases of abuse often come to light many years, or even decades, later as it can be difficult for young survivors to fully understand what has happened and feel able to speak up. Some may even feel that the abuse was their fault. Abuse is never the survivor’s fault; the responsibility for these actions lies solely with the perpetrator of the crime.

There are many different reasons why survivors of abuse may feel unable to report it until much later. One of the most common is a fear that they won’t be believed or taken seriously. It may also be that they are unsure whether what happened constitutes abuse. They may feel a sense of shame or embarrassment or even be fearful of retaliation by the perpetrator.

Making the decision to report historic abuse can be a difficult and emotional time, regardless of how much time has passed. However, it’s important to understand that any delay in reporting the abuse to the police or charity organisation should not be considered as a factor in determining whether the allegation is valid.

How should I report historic abuse?

Reporting abuse is a highly personal and emotional process. It is important to understand that it is entirely up to you how fast the process moves, and what you are ready to talk about.

When you are ready, you should report the abuse to the police. You can do this by phoning the non-emergency police number, 101, or you can go to your local police station, whichever you feel most comfortable with. You don’t have to share all the details immediately if you don’t want to, but it is worth remembering that the police have been trained in these matters. They understand the gravity of the situation, and the courage it takes to make a report, and they know how to handle these cases sensitively.

You also don’t have to go it alone. You may take a friend, family member or loved one along with you to your conversations with the police for support if you’d like.

If it still feels too daunting to speak directly to the police in the first instance, you can reach out for support elsewhere. There are many charities and victim support organisations who will be able to offer advice, guidance and emotional support. You can find details of some of these organisations here.

You can also contact a specialist abuse solicitor. It is perfectly natural that people who have suffered from abuse would want to get the justice they deserve, and doing so can be an important part of the healing process. What’s more, if you’ve suffered from psychological or physical harm, you could be struggling with education or your ability to work and may have needed to spend money on counselling.

In either case, speaking to an experienced abuse solicitor about financial compensation can be an important step in recovery.

How can I prove historic abuse?

Many people may be put off reporting abuse, worried that they may not be believed or will not be able to prove that the abuse occurred. While proving historic abuse is different to reporting a crime that has recently taken place, it does not mean that there is no evidence of a crime, and it certainly does not mean that you will not be believed.

When you report historic crimes to the police, they will first start by taking as detailed an account as you are able to provide of the incident. They will then compile any information relevant, which could include documentation, potential witness statements or, if the incident has occurred more recently, email, phone and messaging records. Once they have collected all the information they can, the case will be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), who will determine whether there is enough evidence to seek criminal charges.

Bringing a civil compensation case works in much the same way, but it is important to remember that the burden of evidence threshold is much lower in a civil case than a criminal case. This means that, even if a criminal case has found the abuser not guilty, potentially due to a lack of evidence, it does not mean that a civil case cannot be successful.

If you have any questions or concerns about the process of proving historic abuse, it is always best to seek the advice of an expert in these cases. You can reach out to a member of our team of experienced abuse lawyers for a supportive, confidential conversation.

Can I seek compensation for a historic abuse claim?

As we’ve already mentioned, it is only natural that someone who has suffered abuse would seek justice, through the criminal justice system, the civil courts, or both. Anyone who has suffered because of someone else’s wrongdoing is entitled to seek compensation, and abuse and assault is no different.

Abuse and sexual assault can cause significant physical, emotional and psychological distress, and recovery can be a long road. Not only are you entitled to be compensated for such suffering, but this can also lead to other issues, such as loss of earnings or the cost of treatment such as counselling.

It’s therefore important that you are compensated for any financial losses, and that you can seek treatment without worrying about affordability.

Is there a time limit for reporting historic abuse?

If you are thinking about reporting historic abuse to the police, you don’t need to worry about how long has passed since the abuse took place. Regardless of whether it has been a year, ten years, or fifty, the police will take a report of the abuse you have experienced and, if you’d like to press charges, will do their best to collect all the evidence to support your case.

When it comes to taking a civil compensation case forward, there is a general time limit of two years from the date you first reported the abuse to the police. However, the courts often understand that speaking about such abuse can be a difficult and emotionally taxing challenge so, in certain circumstances, extensions to the two-year deadline can be granted.

What should I do first if I want to make a claim for historic abuse?

Taking the first steps to reporting historic abuse can be daunting, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

At Slater and Gordon, our lawyers are highly experienced in dealing with abuse cases and are on hand to support you throughout the process. They understand that talking about the abuse you’ve suffered is often a complicated and emotional undertaking, which is why they’ll take you through it step by step in a friendly manner, ensuring you have access to the right support and providing you with the best guidance possible for your individual circumstances.

What’s more, most cases are pursued under a No Win No Fee agreement, which means you’ll never have to worry about the cost of bringing a claim as there is no financial risk to you.

For more information, or for a confidential conversation with a member of our team, call us today on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.