Drunk rape victim receives full compensation

[12 August 2008]

A rape victim who was told her compensation would be cut because she had been drinking before she was attacked, has had the decision overturned.

The 25-year old was raped five years ago after a night out in London's West End. She was told the standard £11,000 compensation would be reduced by 25%. However, her lawyer argued that it was wrong to blame alcohol consumption as a contributing factor in rape cases. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said that the letter from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) stating that her compensation would be reduced to £8,250 "was like being slapped in the face. It was just so cruel and unthinking and so wrong because there is nothing you can do to prevent yourself being raped. It is not illegal to go out and have a drink, it is illegal to rape somebody."

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