UK VICTIM OF CRIME
RAPE COMPENSATION

If you have been a victim of crime and have been sexually assaulted or raped we can help you to make a no win no fee claim for compensation. You will receive a sympathetic hearing from advisers who specialise in making claims for compensation for personal injury. If you would prefer, we can make arrangements for you to speak to someone of your own gender. Our CICA claims are completely risk free and you will not be asked to contribute, to fund or to finance the claim as it proceeds.

If you have been a victim of crime and have been sexually assaulted or raped you should go to a place where you feel safe preferably in the company of others as soon as possible after the assault. Try to ensure that you are not left alone and seek medical help as soon as possible either at the accident and emergency department of your local hospital or at your general practitioners surgery. Examination and treatment are also usually available at the Genito Urinary Clinic at most larger hospitals, at Well Woman Clinics and at the Family Planning Clinic.

Rape can happen to anyone, young or old, black or white, female or male and the UK Government estimates that in 2004 there were almost 200,000 serious sexual assaults and almost 50,000 rapes or attempted rapes amongst both men and women. One in 20 women in the UK has been the victim of rape and almost 200 women are raped every day but only one in five attacks is reported to the police.

In order to claim criminal injury compensation you will need to report the incident to the Police as soon as possible and if you do not want to go to the Police Station arrangements can usually be made for you to be interviewed at home. You should ensure that you keep all clothing and do not shower or bathe as you may be required to provide DNA evidence of the assault.

Date rape or drug rape is a common method of operation for habitual rapists who spike a victim’s drink by secretly putting a pharmaceutical drug into an alcoholic drink during a night out. One of the most commonly used drugs is Rohypnol or 'roofie' which works by sedating the victim who often appears to be very drunk with co-ordination problems. The drug is most likely to be introduced into coloured drinks such as red wine or cola to disguise it presence and the drug stays in the system for only short period of time. If drug rape is suspected it is essential to report it to the Police as soon as possible so that a urine sample can be taken before the body removes the last remnants of the drug usually within 48 hours of ingestion. Other pharmaceutical products used by rapist include GHB and Ketamine which are powerful tranquilisers and can be difficult to detect. Guidelines for safe drinking include:-

• never leave your drink unattended
• take your drink with you everywhere even to the toilet
• do not consume a drink if it has been left unattended
• do not accept a drink from anyone unless you have seen it either poured or opened
• drinking directly from a bottle is safer than a glass which can be more easily spiked

If you have been a victim of crime you can contact Victim Support directly for help or alternatively the Police will make contact about your case if you request them to do so.

Victim Support can be contacted as follows

Victim Support
National Office
Cranmer House
39 Brixton Road
London SW9 6DZ
Telephone: 020 7735 9166
Fax: 020 7582 5712