Liam Goggin
Director of Public Law Practice Area
English
If you were abused by someone working or volunteering in a religious organisation, such as a church, mosque, or synagogue, you do not have to face it alone. When you are ready to talk, we are ready to listen. Our specialist Abuse Solicitors in England and Wales may be able to help you seek accountability, support, and compensation.
You may feel worried about talking about your experience. We will listen carefully and sensitively. We will do everything we can to make the process as stress-free as possible and we are also able to provide details of specialist support organisations and groups for people affected by abuse.
Get in touch for a confidential conversation. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may qualify for Legal Aid or be able to progress your claim on a No Win, No Fee basis.
Fill in the form below to get in touch with one of our dedicated team members, or call our team today on: 0800 260 5010
Religious abuse may be committed by someone who uses their position of trust, authority or influence within a religious organisation or faith community to harm another person. It can include physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse, as well as neglect. Abuse may take place in places of worship, religious schools, residential settings, youth groups, camps or other activities connected with a religious organisation.
Religious organisations have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect the children and vulnerable adults in their care. If they failed to respond appropriately to concerns, ignored warning signs or did not have adequate safeguarding measures in place, they may be legally responsible for the abuse that occurred.
Making a claim is a personal decision, and everyone's reasons are different. Survivors have told us they choose to come forward for reasons such as:
Compensation is rarely the driving factor behind a claim. But no one should ever experience abuse, least of all from someone in a position of power whom they trusted
The time limits for bringing an abuse claim vary depending on the type of abuse you experienced. If your claim relates to child sexual abuse, there is no fixed time limit for issuing a civil claim at court in England and Wales. Even so, bringing a claim at court before your 21st birthday is still important, as after your 21st birthday a Defendant may argue that the passage of time has affected the evidence available and that a fair trial can no longer take place.
If your claim relates to childhood physical or emotional abuse, you will need to bring your claim before your 21st birthday. However, the courts understand that many survivors are unable to speak about their experiences until much later in life. In appropriate circumstances, they can allow claims to proceed outside the usual time limits where there are good reasons for the delay, and a fair trial remains possible. If you are unsure whether you are still able to make a claim, our specialist Abuse Solicitors can assess your individual circumstances, explain how the time limits apply to your case and advise whether a claim may still be possible.
We will guide you through the process with care, moving at a pace that feels right for you:
Your first conversation with us is completely confidential. One of our team will take some initial information surrounding your circumstances.
A member of our team will review your case and advise whether you may be able to make a successful claim. We would never put you through the claims process unless we were confident you had a good chance of success. We will also take time to understand what you want to happen and the type of support you feel you need while the claim is progressing. Whether you decide to proceed with a claim is entirely your choice.
Your legal team will gather evidence, which may include records, witness statements, and police reports.
We will often arrange for you to see an independent psychiatrist or psychologist who will assess the psychological impact the abuse has had on you and prepare an expert report to support your claim.
Most abuse claims settle without a final court hearing, but we will be by your side throughout, even if your claim does go to court.
If your claim is successful, we will explain to you the amount you will receive ensuring you fully understand the outcome of your claim.
Our team can put you in touch with support organisations if you want further help with your recovery.
Every case is different, and the amount of compensation reflects your individual circumstances. An award is decided by looking at how the abuse has affected your life, whether you have suffered financially, and the support and treatment you may need in the future.
We understand that no amount of compensation can undo what happened or fully reflect its impact. Where you are able to make a claim, we will work to ensure that the compensation sought takes account of the harm and losses you have experienced, in line with the law and the circumstances of your case.
We know that reaching out is not easy, and our team is here to support you every step of the way through the claims process. We know how much courage it has taken for you to contact us.
Our specialist team understands this complex and sensitive area of law and aims to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. We are members of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL) and are committed to meeting the high professional standards set out in its Code of Conduct.
By choosing us, you can trust that we will:
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Many religious organisations must follow set procedures when an allegation of abuse is made, and it is rare for them to offer compensation. This is why it is so important to speak to a solicitor who specialises in this area of law, who may be able to help you seek the accountability you deserve.
You do not have to have reported the abuse to bring a claim, although it can help your claim if you have. If the police are unable to proceed, then a compensation claim may be your only way to obtain accountability for what happened so even if you are unsure whether you want to make a claim, it is worthwhile talking to us.
We often deal with religious abuse claims on a No Win, No Fee basis. You may also be eligible for Legal Aid, depending on your financial circumstances, or you may be able to use a Legal Expenses Insurance policy, often an add-on to an existing home insurance policy. We will discuss the best option for you during your case assessment.
We can put you in touch with specialist support organisations and groups for people affected by abuse. You do not have to wait until you have decided to make a claim to ask for support.
You may still be able to make a claim even if the person who abused you has died or the religious organisation no longer exists. Claims can sometimes be brought against a successor organisation, an insurer, or the deceased person's estate, depending on the circumstances. Please contact us to discuss your case, and we can advise you on the options available.
There is no right or wrong time to seek legal advice. When you feel ready, contact us on 0800 260 5010 or request a call back at a time that suits you. If we believe you may be able to make a claim, we'll explain your legal options clearly and help you decide on the next steps.
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