Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will update the guidance to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme so that the governing rules are in line with the law and state that a child under 16 years cannot consent to sexual activity.

Child sexual abuse is abhorrent, and victims can apply for taxpayer-funded compensation awards through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (the Scheme).

The Scheme is made by the Secretary of State under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995 having been approved by each House of Parliament. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) administers the Scheme and decides all claims independently of ministers and Parliament. The CICA sets guidelines to assist them in administering the Scheme.

The CICA guidelines are intended to make sure that controlling and abusive behaviour is taken into account when handling compensation applications for child sexual abuse. The CICA are urgently reviewing their guidelines to ensure they are robust enough to deal with cases where grooming may be a factor.