What to Do After Being Assaulted
Being assaulted is a traumatic experience, and the steps you take afterwards substantially affect your safety, recovery, criminal justice outcomes, and any compensation claim. UK law provides several routes to compensation following assault: direct civil claims against the perpetrator (often impractical where they have no assets), claims against third parties with security duties (pubs, clubs, employers, transport operators), and Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims — the state-funded scheme specifically for victims of violent crime. The CICA scheme has specific procedural requirements: reporting to police, cooperating with investigation, applying within 2 years, and demonstrating the assault as a “crime of violence” under specific criteria. Beyond legal claims, immediate priorities include personal safety, medical evidence preservation, psychological support, and accessing victim support services. Many UK assault victims experience significant trauma — acknowledging this and accessing support is essential.
This guide walks through exactly what to do after being assaulted in the UK — immediately afterwards, reporting to police, medical care, support services, and starting any compensation claims.
Immediate Safety
Get to Safety
- Move away from the danger
- Call 999 if still at risk
- Get to a safe location
- Stay with trusted people if possible
- Don’t return to the scene until safe
Get Medical Attention
Important priorities:
- A&E for serious injuries
- Even apparently minor injuries should be assessed
- Note exactly what you tell medical staff
- Get full medical record of injuries
- Document injuries through photographs
Sexual Assault Specific
For sexual assault:
- Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
- Forensic medical examination available
- Specific specialist support
- No obligation to report to police
- Specific procedures preserve evidence
Reporting to Police
When to Call 999
Immediately if:
- Assault is ongoing
- You or others are in immediate danger
- Perpetrator still in vicinity
- Serious injuries need emergency response
When to Call 101
- Reporting after the immediate event
- No immediate danger
- Specific witness information
- Specific intelligence to share
What to Tell Police
- Detailed description of what happened
- Description of attacker(s)
- Specific times and locations
- Witnesses and their contact details
- Specific details about weapons used
- CCTV cameras you saw
Crime Reference Number
Critical for claims:
- Always get the crime reference number
- Note officer name and contact
- Specific case number for CICA
- Document reporting time precisely
Witness Statement
- Specific detailed statement
- Take time to be accurate
- Read carefully before signing
- Ask for changes if inaccurate
- Keep copy if possible
Why Reporting Matters
For Criminal Justice
- Required for criminal prosecution
- Specific procedural protections
- Specialist police support
- Specific victim support
For CICA Claims
Critical CICA requirement:
- Police reporting essential for CICA eligibility
- Cooperation with investigation required
- Specific reporting timeframe expectations
- Late reporting may reduce CICA award
For Civil Claims
Crime reference number helps:
- Establish facts
- Identify witnesses
- Specific evidence preservation
- Case strengthening
For Personal Recovery
- Acknowledgment of the crime
- Specific support services activation
- Specialist victim support access
- Sense of action taken
Medical Care and Evidence
A&E Documentation
Important to ensure:
- Detailed description of assault recorded
- All injuries documented
- Specific medical examination notes
- Photographs of injuries (sometimes by police)
- Treatment provided
Specific Injuries to Document
- External injuries (bruises, cuts, abrasions)
- Internal injuries (fractures, organ damage)
- Head injuries — particular medical attention
- Defensive injuries
- Strangulation marks (specific significance)
Photographs Over Time
- Initial photographs immediately
- Throughout development (bruises change colour)
- Specific lighting and detail
- With ruler or coin for scale
- Date stamps where possible
Psychological Impact
Critical aspect:
- PTSD common after assault
- Specific mental health referrals
- Specialist trauma services available
- Substantial component of any compensation claim
See our psychological injury claims guide.
Victim Support Services
Victim Support
UK national charity:
- Free confidential support
- Specific to crime victims
- No need to have reported to police
- Specific specialist services
- Telephone and in-person support
Specific Specialist Services
- Rape Crisis (sexual assault)
- SARCs (Sexual Assault Referral Centres)
- Domestic abuse charities
- Specific victim support charities
- Mind (mental health)
NHS Mental Health Services
- IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)
- Talking therapies
- PTSD-specific treatment
- GP referral typical
Police-Specific Support
- Specially trained officers
- Sometimes police victim support
- Specific procedural support
- Updates throughout investigation
The CICA Scheme
What CICA Provides
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority:
- State-funded compensation for violent crime victims
- Tariff-based scheme
- Specific eligibility criteria
- Substantial UK scheme
Eligibility Requirements
Specific criteria:
- “Crime of violence” specific definition
- UK territory (some exceptions)
- Specific timeframes (typically 2 years)
- Cooperation with police investigation
- Specific character requirements
Time Limits
- Generally 2 years from incident
- Specific extensions for children
- Specific extensions for ongoing investigations
- Specific procedural rules
See our CICA time limits guide.
Award Categories
- Personal injury awards (tariff-based)
- Lost earnings
- Special expenses
- Bereavement payments (for fatal cases)
- Specific reduced awards for some claimants
Tariff Examples
- Multiple bruising — typically £1,000
- Sprained wrist — typically £1,000
- Fractured nose — typically £2,000-£3,500
- Concussion — typically £1,500-£3,500
- Disabling mental injury — typically £6,500-£22,000
- Severe PTSD — typically £22,000-£44,000
Specific Reductions
CICA may reduce or refuse:
- Late reporting
- Failure to cooperate with police
- Criminal record (specific categories)
- Conduct contributing to injury
- Character considerations
See our criminal injuries compensation hub.
Civil Claims Against Perpetrator
Direct Civil Action
Possible but often impractical:
- Sue the perpetrator directly
- Substantial costs and procedural complexity
- Often defendants have no assets
- Specific situations make practical
When Civil Action Practical
- Perpetrator has substantial assets
- Insurance coverage applies
- Employer vicarious liability
- Specific situations
Third Party Claims
When Third Parties May Be Liable
Specific situations:
- Pubs/clubs failing to manage security
- Employers failing to protect from foreseeable workplace violence
- Schools failing to protect students from bullying
- Transport operators with security duties
- Care homes failing to protect residents
Foreseeability Standard
Key requirement:
- Specific risk must have been foreseeable
- Reasonable security measures expected
- Specific case-by-case analysis
- Substantial UK case law
Examples
- Pub allowing intoxicated aggressive customer to remain
- Club inadequate security for known violent crowd
- Employer disregarding workplace bullying complaints
- School failing to act on bullying reports
Time Limits
For CICA
2 years generally (with extensions for specific circumstances).
For Civil Claims
6 years for assault (intentional tort), but exceptions:
- 3 years where personal injury element
- Date of knowledge can extend
- Children — from 18th birthday
- Specific historic abuse provisions
See our time limits guide.
Sexual Assault Specific Considerations
Specific Procedures
- Specialist police teams
- SARC examinations
- Specific evidence preservation
- Specialist support services
Anonymity Protection
- Lifetime anonymity for victims
- Specific legal protections
- Section 1 Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992
Historic Cases
Time limits for historic abuse:
- Court discretion to extend
- Specific institutional cases
- Substantial UK precedent for late claims
- Specialist solicitors handle
Civil Claim Possibilities
- Direct claims sometimes practical
- Vicarious liability claims (institutions)
- Group action claims sometimes
- Specific organisational liability
Workplace Assault Considerations
Employer Duties
Where assault was foreseeable:
- Risk assessments required
- Specific security measures
- Training and procedures
- Specific case law
High-Risk Occupations
- Healthcare workers
- Security staff
- Bus drivers and transport workers
- Retail workers
- Care workers
Vicarious Liability
Where co-worker assaulted:
- Employer may be vicariously liable
- Specific case law (Mohamud v Morrison)
- Specific connection to work required
- Substantial UK precedent
Common Questions After Assault
I don’t want to report to police. Can I still get compensation?
CICA requires police reporting. The state-funded CICA scheme generally requires:
- Reporting to police as soon as reasonably practicable
- Cooperation with police investigation
- Specific exceptions for vulnerable victims
Civil claims (against perpetrator or third parties) don’t require police reporting but are often impractical. Many victims initially don’t want to report but find reporting helpful with proper support. Specialist victim support services can assist with reporting decisions. SARCs (for sexual assault) offer forensic examination without obligating police involvement.
My attacker was convicted. Does that automatically mean compensation?
Helpful but not automatic. Criminal conviction:
- Provides strong evidence of the crime
- Helps CICA case substantially
- Helps civil claims if pursued
- But doesn’t automatically produce compensation
You still need to apply for CICA compensation or pursue civil claim. The conviction substantially strengthens the case. Specialist legal advice helps navigate process. See our CICA hub.
How much could I get from CICA?
Variable based on injuries. CICA tariff examples:
- Multiple superficial injuries — £1,000
- Disabling mental disorder — £6,500-£22,000
- Loss of consciousness — £2,000-£3,500
- Severe brain damage — £250,000
- Specific injuries have specific tariff bands
Plus lost earnings and special expenses in some cases. CICA awards are typically lower than equivalent civil damages but provide compensation where civil claims impractical.
I was assaulted years ago. Is it too late?
Depends on the route. For CICA, generally 2 years (with extensions for specific circumstances including childhood and ongoing investigations). For civil claims, generally 6 years (intentional tort) or 3 years (PI element), but: court discretion to extend, specific provisions for historic abuse, date of knowledge can apply. Many UK historic assault cases succeed despite substantial delay. Specialist legal advice clarifies time limits in specific cases.
What about the third party that allowed it to happen?
Often viable claim. Where:
- A pub allowed dangerous customer to continue drinking
- An employer disregarded workplace bullying
- A school failed to act on bullying reports
- Transport operator inadequate security
Third party negligence claims can produce substantial compensation. Specific case law establishes when foreseeability creates duty. Specialist solicitors assess viability — third party claims often more financially viable than direct perpetrator claims.
When should I engage a solicitor?
Early — but with appropriate care. Specialist criminal injuries solicitors:
- Free initial consultation
- Assess all possible compensation routes
- Handle CICA applications
- Pursue civil claims where appropriate
- Coordinate with criminal proceedings
Specialist solicitors with violent crime experience understand the sensitive nature. Many work with victim support charities. Free initial consultation involves no obligation. Substantial expertise in maximising compensation through appropriate routes.
Related Guides
What to Do After an Accident UK Guides
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)
Anxiety & Psychological Injury After Accident
Personal Injury Claim Time Limits UK
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