Child sexual abuse: refusing to compensate is “unacceptable”, says children’s commissioner for England

Anne Longfield, the children's commissioner for England, has condemned draft sexual abuse charges, calling on David Lidington to change them.

The Guardian revealed last week that the newly-drafted sexual abuse guidelines would prevent child victims from being compensated on the grounds that those victims “consented” to the sexual act. This would be the case even if their abuser has been jailed.

This is in clear contrast to the law, which states that the age of consent is 16. Sexual activity between a person over 18 and a person under 18 is also an offence if the younger person perceives the older person to be trustworthy. 

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) refused to grant compensation to almost 700 child victims, including a victim involved in the high-profile Rotherham sexual abuse scandal. Following this, the government body commenced a review of the guidelines.

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