McAllister Olivarius works solely on civil sexual abuse claims, i.e., claims for compensation. Only the criminal courts can put someone in prison. However, it is possible to have your abuser subjected to cross-examination, declared guilty and ordered to pay you compensation by a civil court.

At McAllister Olivarius we feel strongly that justice should not depend on your ability to pay legal costs. Typically, we will not expect you to pay anything upfront. Most of the work we do with victims of historic sex abuse is undertaken on a no win, no fee basis. This means that if we are successful, our fees will be paid by the other side. We will also secure insurance for you, so that if you lose your claim you are protected from having to pay the costs the defendants have incurred.

There can be some costs associated with bringing a claim. These might include, for example, paying a psychiatrist to evaluate the effect the abuse has had on your life. Most clients pay these directly, but this is not always the case. If you would like to speak with a member of our team about this further, please get in touch.

We understand that the effects of childhood sexual abuse are enduring and that coming to terms with your abuse can be an unpredictable process. Many survivors are unable to speak about it for decades. It can be harder to bring a claim if the abuse happened a long time ago, but many old claims can still succeed. Whether your claim is likely to prevail in law depends on several facts, and we will conduct a careful investigation before advising you whether we think you should proceed.

The death of your abuser does not necessarily stop you from bringing a claim for compensation. If your abuse took place during your time at an institution, such as a school, youth group or church, and you were abused by an employee of that institution, you may be able to bring a claim directly against the organisation itself.

Cases brought against institutions rely on the principle of ‘vicarious liability,’ under which it must be proven that the individual who perpetrated the abuse was put in a position of trust by their employer.

Once we establish vicarious liability, we will develop your case to get you the compensation you deserve. This may include gathering records that show how the abuse has affected you and arranging for you to visit a psychiatrist who can provide an independent analysis of your case. We know this can be a difficult process, but our solicitors will guide you through every step.

Civil claims can proceed without a criminal conviction. Even if you have not reported your abuse to the police, you still may be able to bring a claim for compensation. Generally, it is easier to bring a civil claim if your abuser has been convicted, because the police will already have records and evidence documenting the abuse, but each case is unique. If you would like to speak about the specifics of your case, please contact us.

Even if you do not wish to take your abuser to court, you can still claim compensation for the harm you have suffered. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government funded scheme which provides compensation to people who have suffered abuse. Awards under this scheme range from £1,000 to £500,000. This may be a good option if you wish to pursue an individual who cannot afford to compensate you or if your abuser has died.

A CICA claim is designed to be a last resort for those who cannot pursue another method of compensation. If we believe that this is the best option for you, we will talk you through the process and give you advice on your application.

As lawyers we are bound by strict confidentiality rules. We have nearly 30 years of experience dealing with victims of sexual abuse and are sympathetic to concerns over confidentiality. We will do everything in our power to ensure that you feel respected and protected throughout your time with us.