The concept of modus operandi in the context of sexual assault cases refers to a perpetrator’s behaviours prior to, during, and following sexual abuse.
Tracey Emmott

Recent Posts
Sexual abuse by a Methodist Minister - An unusual modus operandi
Written by Tracey Emmott on 24 Oct 2023
Back to School: Safeguarding matters
Written by Tracey Emmott on 19 Sep 2023
A new school term and academic year is a timely reminder of the ongoing need to be vigilant on safeguarding matters.
Media coverage of safeguarding failures in schools are salutary reminders of what can go wrong when a blind eye is turned, or when policies and procedures are not complied with.
An Abuse Survivor's Account - Testimonial from Mrs M
Written by Tracey Emmott on 12 Sep 2023
Mrs M, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse takes the bold step of waiving partial anonymity to share her experience of pursuing justice in the form of a civil compensation claim.
Witness Appeal: Children’s entertainer admits sexual offences against boys
Written by Tracey Emmott on 10 Jul 2023
Witness appeal
We act for a victim of George Holden (deceased) who was sexually assaulted by him in the course of his role as a swimming instructor.
Church of England Case Reviews into institutional abuse
Written by Tracey Emmott on 26 May 2023
It is always heartening when any institution chooses to initiate formal scrutiny when something has gone badly wrong. In the Church of England, the House of Bishop’s guidance states that once matters relate to a safeguarding concern or allegation against a church officer have been completed, lessons should be identified and learnt from the case.
Breaking the silence: Rebekah Vardy on abuse during Jehovah’s Witness childhood
Written by Tracey Emmott on 17 May 2023
Rebekah Vardy’s Channel 4 programme ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses and Me’ in which she alleges that she was sexually abused between the ages of 11 and 15, and that the abuse was covered up by the Jehovah’s Witness leadership in the community of which she was a part, shines a light once again on how reporting of childhood abuse in religious contexts is dealt with, often inadequately.
Obtaining compensation for so called ‘Revenge Porn’ - an appropriate form of justice?
Written by Tracey Emmott on 08 Mar 2023
'Let me be clear, misogyny and violence and intimidation against women and girls, in all its forms, is wrong - and it is for us all to stand up and stand together to stamp it out in our society.' So said Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Noland, following the recent conviction and sentencing of Big Brother celebrity Stephen Bear at Chelmsford Crown Court (3rd March 2023) after posting private CCTV sex footage of him and his ex-girlfriend, Love Island star Georgia Harrison on the adult-only website OnlyFans, for which he received £2,000.
Bembridge School – Update on routes to justice
Written by Tracey Emmott on 27 Oct 2022
An exclusive public school on the Isle of Wight may not be immediately associated with dark tales of abuse. However, in 2021, Bembridge School became the focus of ‘Operation Seaside’, an investigation by Hampshire Police, following a surge of allegations by former pupils.
Compensation for abuse in foster care
Written by Tracey Emmott on 22 Jul 2022
It has been 4 years since the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Armes V Nottinghamshire County Council, enabling victims of abuse by foster carers to seek financial redress from the local authority which placed them in foster care.
Sexual Abuse in Choir Schools
Written by Tracey Emmott on 24 May 2022
By way of a postscript to a blog published in 14th October 2014 (republished below) this firm finally represented 5 of David Lowe’s victims in civil compensation claims, which were ultimately successful against the Westminster Cathedral Choir School, a London Catholic preparatory school for gifted choristers.