Claim for rape or sexual assault by colleague

Advice and assistance from Cohen Cramer

If you have been the victim of rape or sexual assault by a colleague, co-worker or employer then we can help you claim the compensation you deserve.

Sexual assault at work can take many forms; anything from inappropriate touching to rape falls within the category of sexual assault. The sexist office culture that was prevalent in the 1970s has fortunately diminished however there are still some who feel that ‘office banter’ and ‘just a bit of fun and a laugh’ is an excuse for groping and sexual harassment; it is not.

If you have been a victim of such behaviour in the past three years you can look to claim for the stress and upset that it has caused you.

When You Can Claim for an Assault/Rape at Work

If the attack occurred during works time, in the course of your employment then your employer may be vicariously liable.  This can be while at the office or off-site such as at a course or a function organised by your employer.

Vicarious liability means that they are responsible for the actions of their employees in much the same way as a bus company is liable if one of their drivers crashes into another vehicle. 

In practical terms, vicarious liability means that the claim is made to your employer’s insurers and not against an individual who will not have insurance for their actions. 

What Can You Claim For?

Incidents of assault and rape can be traumatic and life-changing; we understand this and will make sure that you receive compensation, not only for the physical act but also for any long-term psychological effects of the assault

Furthermore, we can where relevant, recover further and additional damages in relation to all and any financial losses you may have sustained as a result of the assault. This can include:

  • lost income for treatment or recovery as well as any long-term absence from work that may result from the attack
  • the cost of any treatment or counselling you may need as a result of the attack
  • all and any other financial losses that may arise.

Start Your Claim Today

To see how we can help get in touch with us today:

We will treat your call with complete confidence and deal with your claim on a ‘no win-no fee’ basis. This means that if your claim is not successful you will not be charged for the work we have done.

Frequently Asked Questions in relation to a claim for rape or sexual assault by colleague.

Can I make a claim if my boss bullies me into a sexual relationship?

You can still be a victim if coerced into giving your consent. This could be the offer of promotion in return for sex or the refusal of promotion if you don’t acquiesce. If there has been an abuse of power then there may be a claim for compensation. It will be necessary to show that there was some element of coercion.

I haven’t reported the attack to the police – can I still make a claim?

Yes, there does not have to be a criminal prosecution for you to bring a civil claim. To succeed with a civil claim you only have to show that it is more likely than not that the incident occurred as you say.

It will greatly improve the chances of success with your civil claim if you do report the matter and there is a criminal conviction. The conviction can be used as evidence of the incident occurring.

I went for a drink with a colleague after work and they raped me – can I claim?

In this situation, you can bring a claim against your attacker personally. You may have difficulties holding your employer vicariously liable. Your employer will be responsible for the actions of their employees if you can show a link between the duties of the employee and the assault. This can include a manager using their position to assault a junior staff member by plying them with drink while on a course or conference.

If you were assaulted by a colleague after you had agreed to go for a drink with them outside of work hours, then it is unlikely your employer would be held to be liable.

Can I claim if I was attacked by an unknown party on my way home from an office party?

You will need to show they had been negligent in looking after you. If you cannot prove negligence you can make a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The CICA is a government-funded organisation that make payments to the victims of violent crime

To see how we can help you claim the compensation that you deserve get in touch with us today:

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claim for rape or sexual assault by colleague