Exposed: new twist in Sanctuary scandal
I know of at least one who has been denied compensation for horrific abuse Chi Onwurah
A HELPLESS victim of the Operation Sanctuary sex abuse scandal has been denied compensation because she has a criminal conviction, it has been revealed.
The Ministry of Justice has promised to investigate after the case was raised by Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah.
One victim, whose attacker was convicted as part of Operation Sanctuary, was denied compensation because she had spent time in juvenile detention as a result of the abuse itself.
Under present rules, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), which is responsible for providing compensation, routinely rejects claims from victims if they have a conviction for anything except the most minor crime.
Ms Onwurah said: “We are calling for the rules to be changed to ensure that a victim of sex abuse is entitled to compensation.”
Northumbria Police secured the convictions of more than 90 offenders as part of Operation Sanctuary, an investigation into rape and sexual abuse in Newcastle and the North East.
And this included Operation Shelter, in which 18 people were convicted of abusing Newcastle’s most vulnerable girls and women, some as young as 14.
The specific case raised by Ms Onwurah in the House of Commons involved a woman who suffered emotional distress as a result of the abuse.
She said: “Girls and vulnerable women were subject to horrendous abuse and rape by a sexual exploitation gang in Newcastle.
“Some of the perpetrators were recently convicted as part of Operation Sanctuary, but there are victims who feel that they have not had justice.
“I know of at least one who has been denied compensation for horrific abuse, because of time spent in juvenile detention as a consequence of that abuse.
“Does the Minister think that is just? If not, will he amend the criminal injuries compensation scheme to ensure justice?”
Justice Minister Phillip Lee promised to look into the case once Ms Onwurah provided full details privately.
He said: “I recently met the chief executive of the CICA and was convinced that it has in place systems to deal appropriately with all cases.
“However, if there is a particular case that is of concern to her, would she please write to me? I will respond.”
Survivors of rape and other sexual assaults are able to claim compensation running into thousands of pounds to
help pay for counselling, improve their security or move away from their attacker.
But it emerged in October that at least 398 alleged victims had been refused payments since January 2015 because they were convicted of some sort of crime.
Research into the compensation process previously found that convictions for non-violent or minor offences, including theft or failing to pay for a TV licence, are routinely used as reasons to withhold money from alleged victims.
Operation Shelter revealed that girls and young women in Newcastle’s West End had been sexually exploited and prostituted by a group of older men in a
campaign of abuse. Most of the offences happened between 2011 and 2014 and were directed at generally immature, vulnerable teenage girls who were exploited by a group of older menusing drugs and alcohol to incite sexual activity.
The men held parties known as “sessions” to which the girls were lured by the offer of alcohol and drugs, in particular mephedrone and cannabis.
They were expected to offer sexual services in return. Those convicted in Operation Shelter were jailed for a total of more than 180 years at Newcastle Crown Court in September.