Marked each year across the UK, National Child Exploitation Awareness Day shines a light on the realities of abuse and exploitation, and the barriers that prevent survivors from coming forward. One of the most persistent of these barriers is misinformation.

At Switalskis Solicitors, we work with survivors of child exploitation and abuse every day. Many of our clients have carried the weight of their experiences for years, even decades, before feeling ready to speak to a solicitor. One of the biggest obstacles can be misinformation or myths about how the legal process works.

In this blog, I want to address some of the most common misconceptions we hear from survivors and explain the truth behind them. If you're considering seeking legal advice but feel uncertain or discouraged, I hope this helps reassure you that you are not alone. There is support available. Additionally, if you have concerns about some one else, I hope this gives you the confidence to recognise the signs, challenge these myths and take steps to help them access the support they need.

Myth 1: “It happened too long ago, I’ve missed the deadline to claim.”

This is one of the most common concerns survivors raise. It’s true that there are time limits in civil claims (usually three years from when the abuse occurred or from when you turned 18), but courts do have discretion to allow claims outside those limits, especially in cases involving non-recent childhood abuse.

Judges understand that survivors may take years to come forward, often because of trauma, fear, or shame. We frequently act for clients seeking legal advice decades after the abuse took place. It’s always worth speaking to a specialist solicitor, even if you think too much time has passed.

Myth 2: “They didn’t say no, so it wasn’t abuse.”

This is a particularly harmful misconception, especially in cases involving child exploitation. Abuse is not defined by whether someone verbally resisted or said “no”. In many situations, children are groomed, manipulated or coerced into compliance by someone in a position or power of trust.

Perpetrators may use attention, affection, gifts or threats which creates a situation of confusion, where the victim doesn’t understand what is happening and feels as though they cannot refuse. It’s important to recognise that a lack of resistance does not mean a lack of harm. Survivors should never feel that their experience is invalid because they did not, or could not, say no.

Myth 3: “There’s no point making a claim if the abuser has died.”

While it may not be possible to bring a criminal prosecution if the abuser has died, you can still pursue a civil claim against the institution responsible for them—such as a school, care home, religious organisation, or local authority. This is known as a vicarious liability claim.

In these cases, the focus shifts from the individual perpetrator to the organisation that may have failed in its duty of care or allowed the abuse to happen. Civil claims can succeed even if the abuser has passed away, and they can result in financial compensation, an apology, or wider institutional change.

Myth 4: “I don’t have any evidence, so I can’t prove what happened.”

Many survivors worry that because the abuse happened years ago and wasn’t reported at the time, there’s no way to prove it now. The truth is that a claim doesn’t require physical evidence like CCTV or eyewitnesses. Courts understand that these cases are different from other types of claims.

A detailed and consistent witness statement can carry significant weight. In addition, solicitors may be able to obtain medical records, police reports, school files, social services notes, or other historical documents to support your account. You don’t need to gather this yourself; that’s part of our job.

Myth 5: “It’s just about money.”

While compensation can help with things like therapy, lost earnings, or the impact the abuse has had on your life, many survivors tell us that their motivation isn’t financial. They want accountability, recognition, and closure.

Legal action can lead to more than just a monetary award; it can result in formal apologies, public findings, and sometimes changes in how institutions deal with safeguarding. It can also be an empowering step toward reclaiming your voice and your story.

Myth 6: “The legal process will be too stressful to cope with.”

It’s completely natural to worry about this. Abuse claims can bring up painful memories, and it’s important to be emotionally ready. But you don’t have to go through it alone. At Switalskis, we work in a trauma-informed way. We take things at your pace, explain each step clearly, and offer ongoing support throughout.

Most claims settle without going to court. And if a hearing is needed, your solicitor will be there to support and represent you throughout the process. You’ll always be in control of how far you want to take things.

Why myths are especially harmful in exploitation cases.

Child abuse can take many forms, but it’s important to recognise that exploitation often looks and feels different from what people might expect. Child sexual exploitation (CSE) can involve grooming and manipulation rather than physical force, making it difficult for children and young people to recognise that they are being abused at the time.

In many cases, exploitation involves an imbalance of power, where the perpetrator takes advantage of a child’s vulnerability, trust or circumstances. This can include situations where they are involved in organised networks, rather than a single individual. These dynamics can create confusion, fear and a sense of loyalty or dependency, which is why many survivors do not come forward until much later. Understanding this context is crucial to challenging harmful myths and ensuring survivors are properly supported.

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking about speaking to a solicitor about what happened to you, no matter how long ago it was, please know this: you deserve to be heard, and it’s never too late to seek justice .

On National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, we stand with survivors – those who have spoken out, and those who are not yet ready. Challenging harmful myths is one step towards a society where every survivor is supported and able to seek justice. A confidential conversation with a member of our team can help understand the legal options, without pressure or obligation.

If you’d like to speak to someone from our Abuse Compensation team, visit Switalskis' website or contact us directly for a confidential discussion.