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Damages awarded for child sexual abuse with exemplary damages granted for prolonged psychological harm
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The High Court awarded the plaintiff €115,000 in damages, comprising general, future, and exemplary damages, following an uncontested claim arising from sexual abuse suffered by the plaintiff as a child at the hands of the defendant between March and September 1998. The court found that the abuse, which occurred on approximately 10 to 15 occasions and involved sexual assaults while the plaintiff was a minor visiting the defendant's home, had caused significant and lasting psychological harm, including complex post-traumatic stress disorder, necessitating ongoing therapeutic intervention. The court's decision, guided by recent legal principles for assessing damages in historical child sexual abuse cases, reflected the severity, timing, and duration of the abuse, together with its impact on the plaintiff's life. The High Court also awarded costs to the plaintiff, measuring the legal costs at €36,900, with liberty for the defendant to challenge the costs within four weeks.
assessment of damages – sexual abuse – child plaintiff – default judgment – complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) – exemplary damages – general damages – future suffering and disablement – costs measured – High Court – application for assessment of damages – plaintiff"s psychological harm – Rules of the Superior Courts (RSC) – historical child sex abuse case principles – notice of proceedings
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