The current criminal injuries compensation scheme administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is broken and should be replaced, says a new report from Survivors Against Terror (SAT).
In a survey of survivors of various terror attacks both in the UK and abroad, most felt that the compensation awarded is inadequate, does not take into account long-term need, and does not represent the gravity of terrorism aftermath for survivors.
The report recommends the creation of a new compensation authority supported and overseen by the Home Office. SAT says this should be properly funded and staffed by people who know how to deal with trauma and whose explicit remit is to support survivors get the support they need, not minimise the payout.
The report also sets out detailed recommendations for a new body:
- A single point of contact (a case worker for survivors to interact with)
- Clearer and more empathetic communications with people working for the agency aware of how to deal with trauma
- Transparency for how awards are calculated
- An overhaul of the approach to psychological injuries so that they are properly assessed and understood
- The ability to track the progress of applications through an online portal
- Timetables for gathering evidence should communicated clearly and be based on reasonable expectations
- The government should spread awareness of how and where to get compensation
- GPs and councils should have standard procedures in place for referring terror attack survivors for financial help when an attack happens
- No time limit on when a survivor can apply for help
- Drop the rule that limits the number of injuries that can be claimed for to three
More information here
Download the full report here