Best Sexual Abuse Lawyers in Aberdeen

About Sexual Abuse Law in Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Sexual abuse is any sexual activity or behavior carried out without free agreement. Aberdeen is in Scotland, so Scottish law applies. The law recognises a wide range of sexual offences against adults and children, including rape, sexual assault, coercion, exploitation, grooming, taking or sharing intimate images without consent, and online abuse. Consent in Scotland is defined as free agreement. A person cannot consent if they are asleep, unconscious, coerced, threatened, unlawfully detained, incapable due to alcohol or drugs, or deceived about the nature of the act or the identity of the person. The age of consent in Scotland is 16.

Sexual abuse can be recent or non-recent, and the criminal law does not impose a time limit for reporting. Cases are investigated by Police Scotland and prosecuted by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Survivors are entitled to medical help and can access a Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service to preserve evidence even if they are not ready to speak to the police. Civil routes also exist to seek protection or compensation.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If it is not an emergency, you can call Police Scotland on 101. You can also seek medical attention urgently. You do not need to decide about reporting right away to access healthcare and support.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Sexual abuse cases are legally and emotionally complex. A lawyer can help you understand your rights, protect your privacy, and guide your decisions. Common situations where legal help is useful include reporting to the police and preparing for interviews, understanding the investigation and prosecution process, and communicating with the Procurator Fiscal about your safety and special measures as a witness.

Survivors may also need help applying for protective measures. These can include non-harassment orders, interdicts, and other orders that restrict contact, plus safety planning around bail conditions in criminal cases. Where the defence seeks to ask questions about your sexual history, you may be entitled to independent legal representation for that application. A lawyer can advise and represent you in that hearing.

Legal advice is valuable for civil claims for compensation against individuals or institutions, for Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority applications, for access to the national Redress Scotland scheme for historical in care abuse, for immigration and trafficking concerns, and for employment, housing, or education issues that arise due to abuse. If you are accused, you should seek urgent criminal defence advice. Legal aid is often available in Scotland depending on the type of case and your circumstances.

Local Laws Overview

Key Scottish legislation includes the Sexual Offences Scotland Act 2009, which defines sexual offences and consent, and the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Scotland Act 2016, which criminalises sharing or threatening to share intimate images and strengthens protections for victims. The Domestic Abuse Scotland Act 2018 criminalises a course of abusive behavior, including sexual abuse within intimate relationships. The Vulnerable Witnesses Criminal Evidence Scotland Act 2019 expands the use of pre recorded evidence and special measures for vulnerable witnesses.

Police investigation and prosecution are carried out by Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. There is no statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual offences. Scotland operates a corroboration rule, which means key facts generally require supporting evidence, although this can come from different sources and doctrines of mutual corroboration may apply. Special measures to support witnesses include giving evidence by live link, using screens in court, having a supporter present, and requesting a closed court for sensitive evidence. Strict rules limit questions and evidence about a complainer's sexual history. Courts can grant anonymity orders. Although there is no automatic statutory anonymity in Scotland, media usually follow professional codes not to identify complainers.

Protective orders can be used to manage risk and stop contact. Non harassment orders can be imposed in criminal cases on conviction or obtained through the civil courts under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Sexual Risk Orders are available to manage risk under the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Scotland Act 2016. Forced Marriage Protection Orders can be made by Sheriff Courts. Adults at risk can be supported under the Adult Support and Protection Scotland Act 2007. Child protection measures are available through local authorities and Sheriff Courts.

Civil claims for damages can be made against individuals and institutions. The Limitation Childhood Abuse Scotland Act 2017 removed the usual three year time limit for civil claims arising from childhood abuse after 26 September 1964, subject to fairness tests. Survivors of historical child abuse in care may be eligible for payments through Redress Scotland. Compensation for violent crime, including sexual offences, may be available from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority subject to reporting and time limit rules, with allowances for child and non recent cases.

Medical and forensic help is provided through the national Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service. You can self refer without speaking to the police, usually within a short time window after an assault. Forensic samples can be securely stored to give you time to decide about reporting. NHS services also provide testing, treatment, emergency contraception, and mental health support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first if I have been assaulted

If you are in danger, call 999. If safe, seek medical care as soon as possible for injuries, emergency contraception, and infection prevention. Consider contacting the Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service for a forensic examination and evidence storage even if you do not want to report immediately. If you wish to report, call Police Scotland on 101 or attend a station. You can also speak to a support service or a lawyer before deciding.

Do I have to report to the police to get medical help

No. You can access NHS care and SARCS self referral without reporting to the police. Evidence can be stored securely to give you time to decide about reporting later.

Is there a time limit for reporting sexual abuse in Scotland

No. There is no time limit for reporting sexual offences. Even if the abuse happened years ago, you can still report. Evidence can still be gathered through witness statements, records, and other corroboration.

What happens after I report to Police Scotland

Specially trained officers will take your statement. They may arrange medical examination if appropriate, collect evidence, and identify witnesses or digital material. The case is referred to the Procurator Fiscal, who decides whether to prosecute and in which court. You may be kept informed about key decisions and bail conditions. Victim support services can help you throughout.

Will I have to go to court and face the accused

Many cases resolve without a trial, but if there is a trial you may be a witness. Special measures are commonly available, such as giving evidence by live video link, using a screen, having a supporter, and excluding the public during sensitive testimony. The court controls questioning and restricts sexual history evidence. Ask about pre recorded evidence if you are eligible.

How is consent defined

Consent means free agreement. The law lists situations where there is no consent, such as when a person is asleep or unconscious, threatened, coerced, incapable due to alcohol or drugs, deceived, or unlawfully detained. There is no consent if a person did not freely agree or changed their mind and the other person continued.

Can I get an order to stop someone contacting me

Yes. You can seek a civil non harassment order or interdict. In criminal cases, the court can impose a non harassment order on conviction. The police and the Procurator Fiscal can request bail conditions to prevent contact during a case. Speak to a lawyer about the most suitable option and how quickly it can be obtained.

Can I claim compensation

You may claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for qualifying injuries from violent crime. Time limits usually apply, but there are exceptions for children and non recent sexual abuse. You may also be able to pursue a civil damages claim against the perpetrator or a responsible institution. Survivors of historical in care child abuse may apply to Redress Scotland. A lawyer can assess eligibility and evidence.

Will my identity be kept private

Courts can make orders to protect your identity. Although there is no automatic statutory anonymity in Scotland, most media follow industry codes not to identify complainers in sexual offence cases. It is an offence to breach any court order that protects your identity. Discuss privacy concerns with the police, the Procurator Fiscal, and your lawyer.

Can I get legal aid for advice or representation

Yes, depending on your circumstances and the type of case. The Scottish Legal Aid Board administers legal aid for civil protection orders, compensation claims, and certain hearings such as applications to introduce sexual history evidence. Many firms offer advice and assistance funding for early help. Ask a solicitor to check eligibility.

Additional Resources

Police Scotland provides emergency response, non emergency reporting, and specially trained officers for sexual offences. They can arrange medical examinations and refer you to support services.

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is responsible for prosecuting crime in Scotland and for communicating key decisions to victims and witnesses. Victim Information and Advice staff can assist with updates and safety concerns.

Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service provides 24 hour access to forensic examination, healthcare, and evidence storage without police involvement if you choose. NHS Grampian delivers local SARCS services and sexual health care.

Rape Crisis Scotland and the local Rape Crisis centre in the Grampian area offer confidential support, advocacy, and help navigating health, legal, and court processes.

Victim Support Scotland offers practical and emotional support, court familiarisation, and help with safety planning and compensation applications.

Scottish Womens Rights Centre provides free legal information and representation for women affected by gender based violence across Scotland.

Grampian Womens Aid supports anyone experiencing domestic abuse, including sexual abuse within relationships, with safety planning, refuge, and advocacy.

Scottish Legal Aid Board provides information about eligibility for advice and assistance, civil legal aid, and criminal legal aid in Scotland.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority administers state compensation for victims of violent crime, including sexual offences, with allowances for children and non recent cases.

Redress Scotland manages financial redress and non financial support for survivors of historical child abuse in care settings in Scotland.

Next Steps

Your safety comes first. If you are at risk, call 999. If you are safe, consider seeking medical help promptly, either through A and E, your GP, or the Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service. Forensic evidence can be time sensitive, but you can get help even if time has passed. Preserve potential evidence by avoiding washing, changing clothes, or deleting messages until you have taken advice if you feel able.

Decide whether to report to the police now or later. You can report by calling 101, attending a station, or speaking to a support service who can help you make contact. You can also self refer to SARCS so that evidence is stored while you take time to decide. Keep a record of dates, messages, and witnesses.

Contact a Scottish solicitor experienced in sexual offences and trauma informed practice. Ask about legal aid for early advice. A lawyer can help you understand criminal and civil options, obtain protective orders, liaise with police and prosecutors about safety and special measures, and guide any compensation or redress application.

Reach out to specialist support. Local Rape Crisis, Victim Support Scotland, and Womens Aid services can provide emotional support, advocacy, and practical assistance with housing, benefits, work, and safety planning.

If a child or vulnerable adult may be at risk, contact Aberdeen City or Aberdeenshire social work or the police. Professionals have duties to protect children and adults at risk, and urgent action can be taken to ensure safety.

Keep looking after your wellbeing. You are not alone, and help is available whether the abuse was recent or non recent. The information above is general. For advice tailored to your situation, speak to a qualified Scottish solicitor or an accredited support organisation in Aberdeen.