Legal Support for Those Who Need It Most
Our Vision: Creating a World Where Every Survivor of Modern Slavery Can Access Justice, Overcome Barriers, and Be Fully Supported With Confidence and Dignity
We believe that survivors of modern slavery deserve meaningful access to justice for the harm they have endured. Yet too often, they are excluded from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) process because of unclear definitions of what constitutes a “crime of violence,” compounded by the scheme’s inherent complexity.
Why it's Important
What the Numbers Say About CICA’s Accessibility:
The Barrier to CICA Compensation
In 2023–24, one of the most common CICA Application refusal reasons was that the particular injuries suffered, were deemed not to result from a “crime of violence”, a criterion that continues to mainly exclude survivors of modern slavery and trafficking. This refusal rate has remained consistently high for years, demonstrating how thousands of victims are denied financial recognition of their suffering despite clear evidence of harm.
Our People
TheThe Survivors' Compensation Advocacy Project is powered by a dedicated team of Bar and LPC student volunteers who bring passion, empathy and determination to every case. Each volunteer is carefully selected for their commitment to social justice and receives thorough training on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) process before working with survivors.
Our volunteers work under the close supervision of an experienced, qualified legal professional who reviews every step of the process. This ensures that survivors benefit from both the energy and dedication of our volunteers and the oversight and expertise of a seasoned practitioner.
Together, our team works tirelessly to guide survivors through their applications, always striving for clarity, compassion and the highest possible standard of support.
The importance of Collaboration
We believe that lasting change for survivors of modern slavery can only be achieved through strong collaboration. Survivors face a unique set of barriers, and no single organisation can remove them all. That is why we work closely with anti-slavery charities, frontline professionals, community organisations, and legal experts to ensure survivors receive the support they deserve.
By sharing knowledge, resources, and expertise, we can reach more survivors and guide them more effectively through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) process. Collaboration also strengthens our ability to advocate for systemic reform, so that future survivors encounter fewer obstacles on their path to justice.
Our Mission
Our mission is to make the CICA process clear, accessible and fair for survivors of modern slavery.
Break Down Barriers
We aim to guide survivors of modern slavery through every stage of their CICA claims so they never have to navigate the process alone. This includes providing clear explanations, helping them gather the right evidence, and offering consistent, trauma-informed support from start to finish. At the same time, we actively challenge misinformation, systemic barriers, and unnecessary obstacles that prevent survivors from receiving the compensation and recognition they are entitled to.
Educating the Next Generation of Advocates
We aim to work with frontline workers, anti-slavery charities, and community organisations to ensure they have the knowledge and confidence to support survivors of modern slavery with CICA applications. This includes delivering targeted training, developing practical resources, and building a network of professionals who can identify eligible survivors and connect them with the right support.
Raise Awareness
We will work to increase public and community understanding of the CICA scheme so that more survivors of modern slavery are aware of their rights and know how to access the support available to them. Our outreach will focus on reaching those least likely to hear about CICA, breaking down stigma around applying, and sharing accurate, accessible information that empowers survivors to seek justice.
Advocate for Change
We will campaign for reforms to make the CICA process fairer, more transparent, and more trauma-informed for survivors of modern slavery. Drawing on evidence from our work with survivors and partner organisations, we will expose the systemic barriers that restrict access to compensation and advocate for lasting reforms that place survivors’ dignity, safety, and needs at the centre.
The Survivors' Compensation Advocacy Project exists to drive meaningful change as a social justice initiative.
The The Survivors' Compensation Advocacy Project exists to drive meaningful change as a social justice initiative that breaks down barriers and ensures survivors can access the justice and support they deserve