Professional legal advice for child abuse claims against children's homes
If you suffered from child abuse whilst under the care of a children's home, talking to anyone about this can be very distressing. We will hear what you have to say and can help you establish whether or not you are entitled to claim for compensation to help you move forward from such a bad experience.
Get in Touch
Call us: 0800 138 0458
Contact Us
Just enter your details below and we'll be in touch. If you'd prefer to speak to someone by phone, you can find your nearest Switalskis office here and we'll put you in touch with the right person.
What is child abuse and how does it occur in children's homes?
Child abuse is any action that causes harm to a child. It could be sexual, physical or emotional and could be carried out by an adult or another child. In some instances - such as if someone abuses children in the course of their employment - the employer or organisation can be found liable for the abuse.
Child abuse can happen in children's homes, because the sector suffers significantly from a lack of funding and inadequate regulation. In the past, awareness of the need to safeguard children against abuse was lacking and the measures put in place to protect children were ineffective.
The children themselves can be subjected to abuse or even drawn into criminal activity. They often tolerate abuse and engage in criminal activity simply because they have no alternative and fear the repercussions of not doing so. This pattern can then continue for many years, causing long-lasting psychological damage to victims.
How can legal advice help me?
If you have suffered abuse, taking legal advice might well be the first time you have spoken to anyone about it. If this is the case, you will not be alone. Many abuse victims find that, whilst it may be distressing to begin with, speaking to a solicitor about their experiences is a weight off their mind.
You may be unsure as to whether or not your experiences actually amount to abuse and you might also worry about not being believed about the abuse you were subjected to. As experienced specialists in child abuse claims - including many against children's homes and public bodies - you can be sure that we are familiar with the type and extent of abuse that can occur and will take your account of your experiences very seriously.
Once we know all of the facts we can advise you whether or not you have a realistic chance of achieving compensation and give you options as to how best to proceed. Some child abuse claims can be eligible for free Legal Aid funding. If you're eligible, we're very experienced in applying for Legal Aid funding on behalf of clients and can help you with this. If Legal Aid funding isn't available, we may be able to work on a 'no win no fee' basis. We will discuss funding with you once we have explored the details of your case.
Our Child Abuse Compensation specialists
How can Switalskis help me?
At Switalskis we not only have a team of experienced specialists in child abuse compensation, but have also made many claims against children's homes and local authorities for abuse suffered whilst in their care. This includes 'class-action' claims where multiple victims have claimed against the same organisation for repeated failings in their safeguarding of children.
All of our child abuse compensation team are very aware of how distressing it can be to discuss past child abuse and have helped many others through this process. You can speak to them by phone or in person. Where possible we look to offer a home visit so that you feel more at ease and can speak freely. If you have a preference for speaking to a male or female solicitor, this can also be arranged.
Call our free, confidential child abuse helpline on 0800 138 4700 or contact us through the website if you'd like to discuss your circumstances with one of our solicitors.
