Historical (non-recent) abuse
The term ‘historical abuse', often referred to as non-recent abuse, refers to reports of neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse which took place before the victim was 16 (or 18, in particular circumstances) and which have been made after a significant time lapse.
The complainant may be an adult, but could be a young person making reports of abuse in earlier childhood.
The reports may relate to a person's experience in the family home, community or while they were a looked after and accommodated child in a residential, kinship or foster care setting.