Abuse Survivors Blog

Highlighting the role of an "ISVA" (Independent Sexual Violence Adviser) and "SARC" (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) in sexual abuse claims.

Popular prime time television programmes continue to tackle difficult subjects, such as, sexual assaults and rape. When running these well researched and well played out storylines many highlight the organisations and support available to victims (of sexual assaults and rape) such as ISVAs and SARCs.

Editor's note: This post was originally written in 2017 and has since been brought up to date in honour of World Mental Health Day 2019.

Secondary mental health problems including compassion fatigue and secondary trauma are especially prevalent among those working in industries that require them to work closely with victims of trauma, or that expose them to trauma on a secondary level. However it's not often given the attention it deserves and as a result, those at risk are not prioritising their own mental health.

A former pupil of Lincoln Cathedral School successfully obtained an out-of-court settlement in a civil action against the Lincoln Cathedral Dean and Chapter for sexual abuse he suffered whilst at the school.

Image based sexual abuse is the non consensual making and / or sharing of nude or intimate private photographs or videos.

Social media outlets make easy platforms for exploitation, whether it be in the form of:

While the death of an abuser can create significant hurdles when considering legal options, a case our client has recently won demonstrates that pursuing justice in the form of a civil compensation claim is not always out of the question.

Our client, a lawyer, whose identity is protected by law, attended Eton College in the 1960s.

A victim of crime can make an application for compensation to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) online, by telephone or post.

Information and assistance with this is often provided by agencies such as Victim Support or the police. It is not necessary to use a legal representative, although for more complex claims such as “out of time” child abuse applications applicants often prefer to use a solicitor. 

On 28 July 2019 the team at Emmott Snell Solicitors along with family and friends were delighted to attend the annual Bedford Park Proms.

For anyone who has suffered sexual abuse it may take years before they have the courage to come forward to speak of the abuse to their friends and family or even the police.

You may feel deeply embarrassed and ashamed to discuss what happened to you.

On 27^th June 2019, Emmott Snell again took part in the annual Bedford Legal Walk, which is a 10K sponsored walk around Bedford, organised by the Eastern Legal Support Trust.

The walk raises money for local charities and organisations that provide legal advice to those of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our society. 

Elton John’s classic ‘Sorry seems to be the hardest word’ is none more true in the ambit of sexual assault compensation claims than in any other context.

In representing victims and survivors of sexual assault, whether abused as children or sexually assaulted in adult life, I hear time and time again, the request for an apology. Often it is the refusal or the withholding of an apology that causes a victim or survivor to instigate a legal claim against those accountable. A lot of money could be saved by those on the receiving end of compensation claims arising from sexual assault, if only the relevant person or organisation had done the decent thing and offered a heartfelt apology in the first instance.