By Jade Maine. Last Updated 1st October 2025. Rape can have a lasting, life-altering impact that can affect day-to-day life, relationships, and finances. Survivors often face mental health challenges, too, which can add to that toll and lead to social isolation. If you’re thinking of making a claim, you may have questions about your options. Here at Legal Expert, we understand that support can make all the difference when navigating the compensation for rape victim claims process, and we’re here to help.
Our specialist solicitors are experts in the field of criminal injury claims, helping secure the maximum compensation for rape on behalf of survivors nationwide. They recognise that the decision to claim is never taken lightly, and this informs how they approach every case. That has ensured their clients get the support they need, whether that’s help with gathering evidence or accessing specialist mental health services.
What You Need To Know About Rape Compensation Claims
- Can I claim against my attacker? Yes, you can make a civil claim against your attacker (or a liable third party like a school) if they have sufficient financial resources to compensate you.
- Is there another way to seek rape victim compensation? If your attacker doesn’t have adequate funds, you can claim via the government-funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
- How much compensation for rape can the CICA award someone? The CICA can pay up to £500,000 for your injuries and financial losses.
- Will I need to report the rape to the police? Yes, as the CICA requires claimants to have a crime reference number.
- What if my rapist wasn’t convicted? You’ll still be able to claim through the CICA, as there isn’t any requirement for a rapist to be convicted or identified.
You can check out this quick video below, which summarises our guide:
What Is Rape? A Look At The Legal Definition
Rape in UK law is defined as non-consensual penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth with a penis, as outlined in the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Consent must be given freely, with capacity and without coercion.
Anyone can be a victim, regardless of gender, and rape is always a crime, regardless of circumstances like intoxication or relationship status.
Only those with a penis can be charged with rape, though others may face related charges. Rape carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and is prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service. It is one of the most serious offences under UK law.
Let’s share details of our research into how common rape is before we explore more about the compensation claims process.
How Common Is Rape? A Legal Expert Case Study
At Legal Expert, we conduct our own research into the issues that impact our clients. We recently investigated the number of rapes committed by taxi drivers in London.
We found a shocking rise in the number of rapes, which increased by 259% in 2023 compared to previous years. This is an appalling increase and one we continue to investigate.
How Much Compensation Could A Rape Victim Receive?
If you make a successful claim for rape compensation through the CICA, you can receive a payment for your injuries. These will be valued in accordance with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012, which contains a fixed tariff. You can only receive victim compensation from this tariff for a maximum of three injuries. However, you could receive an additional payment as part of your compensation for rape if you have become pregnant, contracted an STI or lost a foetus because of the incident.
If you do claim for multiple injuries, they will be subject to the following formula:
- 100% of the full tariff amount will be awarded for the injury with the highest value
- 30% of the full tariff amount will be awarded for whichever injury has the second-highest value.
- 15% of the full tariff amount will be awarded for the third highest-valued injury.
Below, we have included some figures from the tariff of injuries outlined in the CICA scheme. Please note that the amount in the top bullet point is the maximum that can be awarded by the CICA:
- Compensation for serious harm from sexual abuse, plus extra damages such as loss of earnings and other special expenses, could be worth up to £500,000.
- Compensation for non-consensual penile penetration, that results in serious internal injuries and a permanent severe mental illness, could be worth £44,000.
- Similarly, compensation for non-consensual penile penetration, that results in permanent severe mental illness, could be worth £27,000.
- Compensation for non-consensual penile penetration, that is either a pattern of repetitive incidents over the course of 3+ years or that results in a permanent moderate mental illness, could be worth £22,000.
- Additionally, if there were two or more attackers involved in non-consensual penile penetration, the compensation could be worth £13,500.
- If one attacker was involved in non-consensual penile penetration, the compensation could be worth £11,000.
What Expenses Can I Claim Compensation For After A Rape?
When making a rape compensation claim through the CICA, you may also be awarded special expenses. A few examples of the costs that the CICA could reimburse you for include:
- Any physical aids you depended on that were damaged, such as your glasses.
- Any equipment you need to cope with your injuries, such as a specially adapted car.
- Adaptations to your home, such as adding a ramp.
- Care costs that relate to food preparation or your bodily functions.
All of these expenses need to have been necessary and reasonable. They must also have been a direct result of suffering your injury. They also cannot be freely available elsewhere.
You may also be able to claim for a loss of earnings; however, specific criteria have to be met.
For more information on how to claim for a loss of earnings, or for guidance on payouts for rape victims in CICA claims, you can contact our advisors.
[link_btns]
Can I Make A Rape Compensation Claim?
As explained previously, the CICA is a government body which awards compensation for criminal injuries. The CICA Scheme has given a list of incidents which could qualify as ‘crimes of violence’. Sexual abuse is included as one of the entries. Therefore, in order to claim compensation for rape, the following criteria need to be fulfilled:
- You’ve sustained a physical or mental injury due to the incident.
- It occurred within the territorial limits of Great Britain or a ship or aircraft belonging to the relevant location.
- You have reported the incident to the police.
- Your rape compensation claim is made within the relevant time limits, which will be discussed in the later sections.
A victim of any gender can claim rape compensation under this scheme. The CICA decides compensation for a rape victim based on factors like the evidence provided and whether the time limit was followed. We’ll discuss them in the subsequent sections.
You can contact our advisory team for free to learn more about the steps to follow when claiming through the CICA.
Do I Need To Report The Crime To The Police In Order To Claim?
Yes, it’s necessary to report the rape to the police. This is so they can provide you with a crime reference number, which you need as part of the CICA claims process. It’s also necessary to cooperate with the police investigation, such as by providing statements and evidence.
Can I Still Claim If The Other Person Wasn’t Convicted?
Yes, you can still make a rape claim if the other person wasn’t convicted of the crime. The CICA claims process is a government scheme that operates on the balance of probabilities. This means that there is a lower burden of proof compared to proving someone was guilty of a crime.
How Can Compensation Help Victims Of Rape?
Compensation can play a crucial role in supporting victims of rape as they begin to rebuild their lives. Claims made through the CICA can provide financial support for physical and psychological harm resulting from violent crime. This compensation can help cover:
- Physical harm and injuries
- Therapy and counselling costs
- Loss of earnings due to trauma
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing care or support needs
While no amount of money can undo the harm caused, compensation can ease financial stress, validate a victim’s experience, and offer practical help towards recovery and long-term healing.
What Evidence Do I Need To Make A Rape Compensation Claim?
To make a rape compensation claim through the CICA, you will be required to present certain kinds of evidence. These include the following:
- A police reference number to prove that you reported the incident. This is also known as a crime reference number.
- Proof that you meet the residency/nationality requirements.
- Medical evidence regarding your injuries.
When you are making a rape victim compensation claim through the CICA, they will be able to liaise with the police for any additional information that they may need regarding the incident.
To learn more about the steps needed to claim compensation for rape through the CICA, you are welcome to contact our team of advisors for free.
Is There A Time Limit To Claim Rape Compensation?
There is a general two-year time limit for making a rape compensation claim through the CICA. This runs from the date the incident took place.
Exceptions can be made to this time frame, although you will need to prove that exceptional circumstances prevented you from making a claim within the general time limit.
Additionally, here is how the time limit changes for child claims:
- If you were younger than 18 when the incident happened, and the incident was reported to the police but no claim was made, you have two years from your 18th birthday to claim unless exceptional circumstances apply.
- If you were younger than 18 and didn’t file a police report, you have 2 years from making a report to claim compensation for rape. You will need to prove that exceptional circumstances prevented you from notifying the police sooner, e.g. historical abuse claims.
To learn more about how compensation for a rape victim is calculated, please contact us today.
[link_btns]
How Long Does A Rape Compensation Claim Take?
If you claim rape compensation through the CICA, you may be wondering about the time it would take. The CICA promises to try to assess most of the compensation claims within 12 months. However, if you are undergoing treatment or your claim is particularly complex, it could take longer.
It’s important to note that there is no definite answer as to how long the CICA will take to assess your claim completely. Therefore, we cannot tell you exactly when you’ll receive your compensation. The extra time is essential to consider the impact of your injuries on your life and to reflect their severity in your compensation.
Once the CICA receives your compensation claim, they’ll take the following steps:
- Request any required evidence from the police.
- Contact you for additional information, if required.
- Once they make their decision, they’ll communicate it to you by post.
Please bear in mind that the CICA will reach out to you only if it needs more information before making a decision. They won’t respond to any communication asking for application updates.
Feel free to contact our advisors for more information on the process of claiming compensation for a rape victim.
How We Can Help You Make A No Win No Fee Compensation Claim For Rape
If you are eligible to make a rape compensation claim, one of our solicitors could support your claim. They may offer to work with you on a No Win No Fee basis with a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
If you work with a No Win No Fee solicitor, you won’t be required to pay any upfront or ongoing fees for their services. Furthermore, if your claim is unsuccessful, then you won’t need to pay for your solicitor’s services.
A success fee is taken from the rape victim compensation awarded to you if your claim is successful. This amount is a legally limited percentage.
Contact our advisors today for more information on how to claim compensation as a rape victim. Our friendly team is available 24/7 to offer you free advice and answer your questions. They could also connect you with one of our solicitors.
You can contact Legal Expert today by:
- Calling 0800 073 8804
- Using our contact us page
- Using our live chat feature
[link_btns]
Get More Help And Support After Rape
While legal advice might be one consideration, we appreciate that further help and support may be needed. Below, you can find some useful resources:
- Government information on reporting a rape or sexual assault
- NHS guidance on help after rape.
If you would like to speak to an advisor about seeking compensation for a rape victim, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for free, confidential advice.