Assault (ABH/GBH)

Definition: An assault is the act of inflicting physical harm or unwanted physical contact upon a person.

• Actual bodily harm (ABH): Assaults which are described as actual bodily harm cause injuries which are serious but don’t cause serious permanent damage to the victim.
• Grievous bodily harm (GBH): is a more serious crime than ABH, as committing GBH means causing really serious injuries which severely affect the health of the victim, such as serious cuts and broken bones.

Actions to consider

• Report the incident to the Police.
• Contact your GP for reassurance on any injuries obtained.
• Contact Us, we all need support at some time or another and asking for help can be difficult, Victim First are here when you want to talk.
• You might be able to claim compensation. Contact Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) to find out more.

Victim First can provide:

• Emotional Support to cope and recover from the crime
• Information on and referrals to other agencies
• Advice on crime prevention and tailored safety planning advice
• Practical support such as a personal alarm
• Restorative contact between victim and offender
• Support using Language interpreters and British Sign Language interpreters