Former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood has reportedly been charged with sexual offences involving two additional women. The allegations are historic, and the criminal proceedings are ongoing. As with any criminal case, the charges are allegations only, and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court.

The case highlights an important issue with sexual abuse cases, in that many survivors do not come forward until many years or even decades after the alleged events. Delayed reporting is common and can be influenced by fear, shame, trauma, or concerns about not being believed.

Historic abuse allegations can still be investigated by the police and pursued through the courts many years later. In some circumstances, survivors may also have options to pursue compensation through the civil courts or other schemes, such as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

For those affected by similar experiences, seeking specialist advice can help find what legal options may be available, regardless of how long ago the events occurred.  If you have been affected by abuse and would like to discuss whether we can assist, please don’t hesitate to Call or Email our experienced team for confidential, no obligation advice.