Late apology for victim of sex abuse

A victim of child sex abuse who was denied compensation by a government agency because it said he “consented” has now received an apology.

The young man, who was abused from the age of 13, was told by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) that he would not receive any money because he had not been the victim of a crime.

He was groomed online and abused by 23 men, 21 of whom have been convicted of sexual offences.

An appeal was due to be heard later this month, but the agency has now revised its position, just days before the case was to be argued.

The young man’s father said: “We are thankful CICA has changed its stance – but it should never have come to this.”

Debaleena Dasgupta, a lawyer for campaign group Liberty, who supported the appeal, said: “It was only at the 11th hour they conceded these appeals.”