victim of a crime & compensation

Hi! Has this happened to you? If so I would love to hear from you,just to see how many of us there are out there and whether it's worth starting a petition.

I was a victim of violent crime, neither the police or victim support ever mentioned claiming compensation, so I thought domestic violence victims were not eligible.

A few years later I discovered, by chance, that this was not true. I decided to submit a late claim (claims should be made within 2 years of the date the injury was sustained) and explain it was late because I was not informed I was eligible at the time. The rules state the time limit can be waived if there is a good reason the claim is late. Seemingly not knowing about the scheme is not a valid reason according to the criminal injuries compensation authority! I was refused. At appeal the judge said not knowing about the scheme was not a good enough reason for not applying in time!? How do you apply for something if you do not know you are eligible?!

If I was in a minority of unlucky people who had not been told they were eligible I would still be quite angry at this stupid illogical decision, however, I have discovered I am in a MAJORITY! A report by the Public Accounts Committee done in 2008 said that over60% of victims did not know about the scheme and consequently receive no compensation! That is appalling!

Unlike firms helping with accident and negligence claims the criminal injuries compensation authority is not well publicised. No tv ads, nothing on billboards or public transport etc. I know they have a leaflet but you have to request it from the police or from the authority itself. I have never seen one at my doctor's,local hospital or community centre etc. So if the police or victim support do not tell you there is a good chance you will never claim, or find out too late. Either way you will lose money to which you are eligible.

If the government's words "putting victims first" are true, this situation MUST be rectified, or the words are just that, empty meaningless words.

I have written to various bodies about this, including the prime minister, but my letters are just forwarded to some other dept, or I got a reply quoting "the rules" and saying in my case "there were no particular circumstances that would make it reasonable or in the interests of justice to waive the time limit." What that means in plain English I do not know,nor am I able to get an explanation from anyone. I would have thought my circumstances were that I did not know I could claim and that seems a reasonable reason as to why I did not to me!?

If you are, or have been, in this situation (or a solicitor etc with any advice) maybe we can join forces and fight this blatant injustice.