Can you claim compensation if you are falsely accused of a crime?

A friend was falsely accused of a heinous sexual crime which has resulted in the loss of their job and home. The case went as far as court due to the nature of their job meaning it was in the public interest for it to do so, but was thrown out in the preliminary stages due to the prosecution failing to produce any evidence, with a not guilty verdict being handed down - it was all a made up pack of vindictive lies, basically. Is there any way of claiming any kind of compensation for the loss of, well, everything, my friend and his partner have lost through this process? Its really not about the money, but getting back on our.. oops, sorry, their feet is almost impossible after such an event. Many thanks in advance.