Rules of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme - APCC Response

“Police and Crime Commissioners strongly support the Justice Secretary’s decision to look at the impact of the Rules for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme on victims of sexual abuse as part of the work being taken forward developing a Victims Strategy.

“We firmly believe that the current situation cannot simply be resolved by amending guidance. We have been pressing the Government for some time to look at the law which under-pins the Compensation Scheme, indeed, we once again raised this issue when we met with the Justice Secretary last week.

Dame Vera Baird QC PCC, APCC victims lead said:

“There are a number of rules under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme which are simply not fit for purpose. We currently have a situation where an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice’s stated public position is that a child can “consent” to sexual activity with an adult. The law here is clear, there can be no issue of consent for victims who have been groomed where that person is under the age of 16.

“This work, and the necessary changes to the law, now need to be taken forward as a matter of urgency, to ensure that blameless young victims of sexual abuse are not, and cannot be, denied compensation. We owe it to all victims to make these changes now.”