Abuse payouts cut because of victims’ crimes

HUNDREDS of sex abuse victims have had their compensation reduced after committing crimes themselves.

The authorities have docked payments by thousands of pounds after abuse survivors were convicted of offences involving drink, drugs and violence.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority said statutory guidance obliged it to reduce or refuse awards if victims had unspent convictions.

But child abuse lawyers have condemned the decisions, with one leading figure saying the system was ‘failing people’ as he called for a review.

Since 2010, 12,665 people who were sexually abused as children, or as adults lacking mental capacity, have been awarded compensation. But figures obtained under Freedom of Information laws by the BBC revealed 438 people have had Governmentfunded compensation reduced.

Of the 27 cases where compensation was reduced in the year to June 2015, half were for drink, drugs, theft or property offences. Eight involved violence.

Victims could be eligible for compensation of £27,000 if no deductions were made. But the average award after a compensation reduction was £8,423.

Deductions are made according to a points-based system which reflects an individual’s criminal record or unspent convictions.

Odette Tovey, a Sheffield-based legal representative, said the authorities need to take into account whether the crimes are linked to the abuse suffered.

She added: ‘ The crimes committed against the victims far outweigh the crimes that these victims committed.’