As the virtual world becomes increasingly part of everyday life, it is no surprise that there are people who are exploiting it to commit crimes, causing deep anguish and distress.
Sexual harassment is any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which can include leering looks, verbal abuse of a sexual nature, displaying sexually suggestive pictures or objects and unwelcome touching.
During the course of our lifetime most of us will require assistance from healthcare professionals including Consultants, GPs, nurses, therapists or healthcare/hospital workers. It Is fair to say that this is a time when we feel at our most vulnerable and in need of reassurance.
Last month, movie mogul Harvey Weinstein finally handed himself in to the New York authorities, charged with rape and several other counts of sexual abuse. He is the subject of multiple complaints by dozens of women ranging from rape to sexual harassment over many years.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) was set up by the then Home Secretary, Theresa May, after apparent institutional failures surrounding non-recent child sexual abuse.
Every year a significant number of workers are made ill and/or injured at work. According to statistics released by the Health & Safety Executive :
- 137 workers were killed at work
- 31.2 million working days were lost due to work-related ill-health and non-fatal workplace injuries
- 1.3 million work-related ill-health cases
Here at Emmott Snell, we've observed first-hand what a challenge it can be to express oneself and carry the weight of an emotional burden. While we learn to develop a professional resilience, it can be frustrating to see a client so close to legal justice, yet so far from battling their emotional demons.
Our client (referred to as Miss M to protect her identity) has been successful in her claim against her former school in respect of grooming and sexual assaults committed against her by a teacher between c. June and August 2013.
On Tuesday 8 May 2018 May, Tracey Emmott and Jacqui Morton of Emmott Snell Solicitors had the pleasure of visiting and meeting with representatives of Victim Support, Bedfordshire at their offices at Bedford Heights.
The purpose of our visit was to find out more about the services that Victim Support offer, and to present a cheque for £415.63 that we raised by participating in the 2017 sponsored Bedford Legal Walk.
Sexual abuse in childhood by a person in authority is the ultimate betrayal.
Often that person represents an institution and may be a religious leader such as a priest or imam, a teacher, a Scout leader or a sports coach.
Where the abuser is acting in two capacities at the same time, a civil compensation claim may be directed against two organisations.
