Kirklevington Detention Centre Abuse Claims
Compensation for survivors of abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre
If you were detained at Kirklevington Detention Centre and suffered physical or sexual abuse, you may be eligible to receive compensation.
Our specialist abuse claims solicitors are working hard to support survivors and assist them as they take a path towards justice.
Get in touch today
Kirklevington Detention Centre Abuse Claims
Compensation for survivors of abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre
If you were detained at Kirklevington Detention Centre and suffered physical or sexual abuse, you may be eligible to receive compensation.
Our specialist abuse claims solicitors are working hard to support survivors and assist them as they take a path towards justice.
Get in touch today
Historical Abuse at Kirklevington – Ongoing investigation
Cleveland Police has been conducting Operation Magnolia since 2014. Operation Magnolia is an extensive investigation into allegations of historical abuse at youth detention centres, which includes Kirklevington.
Eleven years on, the operation continues to unearth shocking evidence of systemic mistreatment.
Kirklevington Detention Centre operated from the 1960s to the 1990s, and was designed as a “short, sharp shock” facility for young offenders aged 14 to 17. As the years have progressed, it has become the focal point of hundreds of claims regarding serious physical and sexual abuse allegations by staff.
Up to now, police have gathered over 800 reports from victims and interviewed 21 suspects, which helps to highlight how widespread the nature of the abuse was.
How to claim abuse compensation
We are of the belief that a Kirklevington Detention Centre compensation scheme is likely to be launch in the not-too-distant future. We estimate this based on the sheer number of victims, the seriousness of the allegations, and the evidence that the ongoing has unearthed thus far.
We encourage anyone who suffered abuse during detention at Kirklevington to come forward now. If you register early, you can make sure that your experience is documented and be among the first in line to benefit when a formal redress scheme is announced.
Who would my claim be against?
The Ministry of Justice would be the target of any civil compensation claim for abuse at Kirklevington, as the Home Office held responsibility for the facility during its years of operation.
Other compensation options
In some instances, victims may also be eligible to bring a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This is a government scheme that offers financial support to victims of violent crimes, including abuse. In order to achieve this, however, specific criteria and time limits apply.
Our team can help you explore both routes – civil claims and CICA applications – and guide you with clear, confidential advice. There is no pressure to proceed with a claim unless you are ready.
Do I qualify for a Kirklevington Detention Centre abuse claim?
As to be expected, many survivors of abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre have vocalised cconcerns as to whether they may be eligible to make a claim. The short answer is: yes, in most cases, you do qualify, even if much time has passed or based on your personal circumstances.
We address some of the most common concerns:
- “I thought the claim would be against an individual staff member”
No. Claims are made against the Ministry of Justice, as the Home Office was responsible for operating the detention centre and the staff it employed. - “The abuse happened a long time ago”
You are still able to make an historic child abuse claim. Strict time limits are not a factor when it comes to seeking justice for the abuse you endured as a child. - “I’ve been in trouble with the law since. Am I still eligible to claim?”
Yes. Your criminal record does not affect your right to receive justice. What happened to you as a child in the care of the state was wrong, and you are within your right to seek compensation for that abuse. - “I was a young offender, does that matter?”
No. Regardless of the reason you were at Kirklevington, you had a right to be safe. Being a young offender is neither a justification nor an excuse for the abuse you may have suffered.
If you are not sure whether you qualify, our compassionate, non-judgmental legal team is here to assist you. We provide confidential advice and support you without any pressure or obligation to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kirklevington Detention Centre has now turned into HMP Kirklevington Grange, which is an open prison in Stockton-on-Tees for men resettling in the north-east of England.
If you experienced abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre as it was known between the 1960s to 1990s – prior to it turning into a prison – but have yet to report it to the authorities, please get in touch with Cleveland Police on 101.
If you are a survivor of either sexual abuse or physical assault in the past, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim for the impact it had upon your health.
Claims can be made for the physical impact to your health, but also for any damage to your mental health that may have resulted.
Compensation can be sought for personal injury and also any financial losses you may have suffered as a result of your ill-health.
If you or someone you know has suffered abuse, it is crucial to immediately report it to the police. Abuse is a criminal act and as such requires thorough investigation by the appropriate authorities.
Reporting abuse can help to prevent further harm to yourself or others and ensure that those carrying out the abuse are held accountable for their actions.
It is highly unlikely that you will have to face your abuser, whether this be in court or at any point during your claim.
Most claims are brought against the institution or organisation rather than the individual perpetrator.
The handling of the claim will be done by the organisation’s insurers or solicitors. It is unusual for the person who abused you to have to give evidence in a civil case.
The CICA is a government-funded authority which aims to compensate blameless victims of assault or other violent crimes. It was originally formed in 1996 with the sole purpose of providing compensation to blameless victims of violent crime.
The value of compensation that it offers for a single injury can vary from £1,000 up to £250,000, with a maximum total payment of £500,000 being available for a CICA claim.
A physical assault is the most common form of claim that is submitted to the CICA. They can often involve unprovoked attacks, sometimes with the suspect using a weapon to inflict the injuries.
From the date that it receives an application, The CICA advises that it aims to take around twelve to eighteen months to make its initial decision on a claim.
Timescales can vary depending on the circumstances of the assault, the severity of injuries, and the complexity of the overall claim.
There could be many reasons why your claim is taking a while. These could include, but not limited to, the following reasons:
- The police are not responding promptly to the CICA’s requests for information.
- The CICA has an extensive workload and many claims to address.
- You have delayed in providing any requested evidence to the CICA.
- Medical professionals have delayed in providing any requested evidence to the CICA.
- You have reviewed or appealed a CICA decision (the average 12–18-month time scale no longer applies after a decision is challenged by an applicant)
- You have impending criminal convictions.
Please note, due to the nature of how the CICA work it can often appear that your claim is taking a while when in fact it is within the CICA’s usual timescales. It is important to keep in mind that CICA timescales are not equivalent to day-to-day timescales.
Molly Frost joined us in June 2024 and specialises in abuse compensation claims. Having over 20 years’ experience helping survivors recover compensation, she is considered an expert in her field.
Molly has acted as lead Solicitor in several group litigation matters arising out of abuse in children’s homes, and has been involved in several high-profile case
Our team agrees to work on your historical abuse claim on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis. If your claim is not successful, you will not be expected to pay us a penny.
If your claim is successful, we take a percentage of the compensation – meaning that we only ever receive money if we have brought your claim to a fruitful conclusion.
A dedicated member of our team will see your claim through from start to finish, assisting you in the event of any queries or issues you may have. If it is preferable to you, we can assign you one of our female advisors to conduct your claim.
We will continue to provide regular updates until the conclusion of your claim, ensuring the process is as stress-free and effortless as possible, allowing you to focus on your own wellbeing.
Call us today for a FREE Consultation
We work on a No-Win, No-Fee basis.