There can be no doubt that being bitten by a dog is a traumatic and frightening experience that can cause debilitating psychological and physical injuries. Physical injuries (caused by a dog bite) are generally visible and recognisable and range from minor wounds to nerve/muscle damage and residual scarring.
Every year a significant number of workers are injured as a result of an accident in their workplace. Many of these accidents are a result of transport within the workplace and in particular forklift trucks. The Health and Safety Executive (‘HSE’) say that 25% of all workplace transport accidents involve lift trucks and that these are often due to poor supervision and a lack of training. The HSE have helpfully published a Code of Practice and Guidance.
One of Emmott Snell’s clients (hereafter referred to in this article as Mr M, to protect his identity) has successfully obtained an out-of-court settlement after bringing a civil compensation claim against a parish in the Oxford Diocese for sexual abuse he suffered whilst he was a chorister in a church choir.
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.
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.
One of Emmott Snell’s clients (referred to in this article as Mr G to protect his identity) has successfully obtained an out-of-court settlement after bringing a compensation claim against Coventry City Council for sexual abuse he suffered whilst attending a council youth outreach project.
A report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct in 2021 found that abuse of powers for a sexual purpose was the largest form of corruption in police forces in England and Wales, and that these referrals had doubled since 2016.
'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.
Children that are placed in foster care are often at their most vulnerable. It is hard to imagine how confusing and bewildering it must be to be placed with strangers in unfamiliar homes and surroundings. Many children have come from abusive environments or have suffered the loss of parents. For many children, their memories of foster care are positive ones. Sadly, for some children, their experience in foster care is one of fear and abuse.
Many victims of sexual abuse live in silence and fear. It is heartening that more victims of sexual abuse are speaking out. The reporting of high-profile cases in the media has helped public awareness of childhood sexual abuse. A growing awareness and acceptance of mental health issues and the role of childhood abuse in causing mental health difficulties has also played a part in emboldening survivors to speak out.
