Online Abuse

The experts in abuse claims

We are increasingly online in today’s society, as technology has and continues to develop.

There are many positives to social media and the ability to communicate instantly irrespective of geographical location. On the flip side, however, it has also created increased opportunities for abuse.

What is online abuse?

We use this term to refer to any form of abuse that is facilitated by technology, whether that be computers, mobile phones or other electronic devices. It can happen online or offline and can include:

Messages
Calls
Texts
Images
Videos

The abuse may happen privately between two people or may be shared, and quite alarmingly it can happened without the victim’s knowledge.

Examples of online abuse

Sexting – Sharing messages or images via messaging or mobile phones
Online grooming and sexual exploitation – Building trust through communications in order to abuse, often with the abuser concealing their identity or pretending to be someone they are not
Revenge porn – Where sexual images are shared or used without a person’s consent, with an intent to cause harm or humiliation
Cyberflashing – Sharing/sending indecent images to a persons phone or device without their permission
Sextortion – A form of blackmail involving the use of or threat to use indecent/sexual images

Who is at risk of online abuse?

We automatically think of children and teenagers when we consider who is most at risk from online abuse, but the reality is that it can happened to anyone, male or female and of any age.

The Online Safety Act 2023

New laws were introduced last October, designed to protect children and adults and making social media companies more responsible for their users’ safety. The new law has five objectives:

To increase user safety online
To preserve and enhance freedom of speech
To improve law enforcement agencies’ ability to tackle illegal content online
To improve users’ ability to keep themselves safe online
To improve society’s understanding of online threats

Can I claim compensation if I have suffered online abuse?

Yes, you can. Whilst the law is not developing quite as quickly as technology, this type of abuse is being increasingly recognised by both the criminal and civil courts.

Oakwood Solicitors has always been committed to pushing the boundaries of our existing laws to help our clients and make the legal process easier and more accessible for others in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is my claim worth?

Your solicitor will assess your claim and give you an idea at the outset of the likely compensation payable. Civil claims for abuse can include the following compensation:

General damages – An award of money for the abuse/assault(s) themselves and for the pain, suffering and any psychological effects.
Special damages – An award for any specific financial losses we can prove, such as loss of earnings or the costs of any treatment or counselling.
Aggravated damages – An additional award of money in certain cases where the court considers that there has been additional distress caused by the manner in which the abuse occurred.

How long will my case take?

Once we have been able to assess your case, we will give you an idea at the outset of the likely timescale.

It is more difficult to predict in cases where we are suing an individual, as they may cooperate or comply with the procedural rules in the same way an organisation would.

Generally, a civil claim for abuse or assaults can be concluded within 6-12 months. We will provide you with regular updates as your claim progresses.

How will my case be funded?

The majority of civil abuse claims are funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This is also known as a ‘no-win, no-fee’ agreement.

The way these agreements work means that you do not have to pay anything upfront. If you successfully recover damages, the majority of your costs will be paid by the other side.

You may have to contribute to costs out of any compensation recovered, but this will not be more than 25%.

We may advise you to take out After the Event (ATE) Insurance in your claim, depending on the case. If we consider that this should be taken out we will discuss this in detail with you.

Any ATE premium will only be payable if you win and will not need to be paid until the end of the claim.

Why choose Oakwood Solicitors Ltd?

At Oakwood Solicitors, we have dedicated lawyers with over 20 years of experience, acting for survivors of sexual and physical abuse.

We understand how difficult it can be to bring a claim, and we are committed to dealing with your case in a sensitive way.

You will have a dedicated solicitor who will deal with your claim from start to finish, and who will be able to speak to you at times convenient to you – even if this is outside our normal office hours.

Welcomed and at ease

I was made to feel welcomed and at ease. Details taken swiftly and sympathetically. Then was given a positive response within a very short space of time.

- Satisfied Client

Quick and professional

Response was quick, and professional.

- Satisfied Client

Molly Frost - Abuse Claims Solicitor

Molly Frost joined the Firm in June 2024 and specializes in abuse compensation claims. Having over 20 years’ experience helping survivors recover compensation, she is considered an expert in her field. Molly has acted as lead Solicitor in several group litigation matters arising out of abuse in children’s homes, and has been involved in several high-profile cases.

0113 200 9720

enquiries@oakwoodsolicitors.co.uk

Have you been the victim of abuse?