Tech-Driven Legal Support for Those Who Need It Most
Our Vision: Creating a World Where Every Survivor Can Access Justice, Overcome Barriers, and Be Fully Supported With Confidence and Dignity
We believe that every survivor of violent crime deserves equal access to justice and recognition for the harm they have endured. Too many people are excluded from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) process because it is confusing, inaccessible or weighed down by barriers that are difficult to overcome alone.
Why it's Important
What the Numbers Say About CICA’s Accessibility:
The Barrier to CICA Compensation
In 2023–24, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) received 41,428 new applications, the highest volume since the 2012 Scheme began. Yet, more than 57% of resolved claims (21,305 cases) were refused compensation. One of the most common refusal reasons was that the injury was deemed not to result from a “crime of violence”, a criterion that continues to exclude many victims, including survivors of modern slavery and trafficking. This refusal rate has remained consistently high for years, demonstrating how thousands of victims are denied financial recognition of their suffering despite clear evidence of harm.
Our People
The Victim Redress Project is powered by a dedicated team of Bar and LPC student volunteers who bring passion, empathy and determination to every case. Each volunteer is carefully selected for their commitment to social justice and receives thorough training on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) process before working with survivors.
Our volunteers work under the close supervision of an experienced, qualified legal professional who reviews every step of the process. This ensures that survivors benefit from both the energy and dedication of our volunteers and the oversight and expertise of a seasoned practitioner.
Together, our team works tirelessly to guide survivors through their applications, always striving for clarity, compassion and the highest possible standard of support.
The importance of Collaboration
We believe that lasting change can only be achieved through strong collaboration. Survivors face a range of barriers, and no single organisation can remove them all. That is why we aim to work closely with charities, frontline professionals, community organisations and legal experts to ensure survivors receive the best possible support.
By sharing knowledge, resources and expertise, we are able to reach more survivors and guide them more effectively through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) process. Collaboration also helps us to advocate for broader systemic change so that future survivors encounter fewer obstacles.
Our Mission
Our mission is to make the CICA process clear, accessible and fair for every survivor.
Break Down Barriers
We aim to guide applicants through every stage of their CICA claims so that they never have to navigate the process alone. This means providing clear explanations, helping gather the right evidence, and offering consistent support from start to finish. At the same time, we will actively challenge misinformation, systemic issues and unnecessary obstacles that prevent survivors from receiving the compensation they are entitled to.
Educating the Next Generation of Advocates
We aim to work with frontline workers, charities and community organisations to ensure they have the knowledge and confidence to support survivors with CICA applications. This includes delivering training sessions, creating practical resources and building a network of professionals who can identify eligible survivors and signpost them to the right help.
Raise Awareness
We will increase public and community understanding of the CICA scheme so that more survivors are aware of their rights and know how to access the support available to them. Our outreach efforts will focus on reaching those who are least likely to hear about CICA, breaking down the stigma around applying and sharing accurate, accessible information.
Advocate for Change
We will campaign for reforms to make the CICA process fairer, more transparent and more trauma-informed. By using evidence from our work with survivors and partners, we will highlight the systemic issues that block access to compensation and call for lasting changes that put survivors’ dignity and needs first.
The Victims' Compensation Advocacy Project exists to drive meaningful change as a social justice initiative.
The Victims' Compensation Advocacy Project exists to drive meaningful change as a social justice initiative that breaks down barriers and ensures survivors can access the justice and support they deserve