Abuse Survivors Blog

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.

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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.

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Out-of-court settlement for a victim of abuse by a Coventry City care worker

Written by Jacqui Morton on 25 Apr 2023

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.

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Claiming compensation against a police force for sexual assaults by an officer

Written by Megan Hickey on 06 Apr 2023

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. 

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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.

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Siblings obtain compensation for abuse suffered whilst in foster care

Written by Jacqui Morton on 22 Feb 2023

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.

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Let 2023 be the year to break the silence about childhood sexual abuse

Written by Megan Hickey on 29 Dec 2022

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. 

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Considering the same roof rule in CICA applications

Written by Jacqui Morton on 15 Dec 2022

A recent successful case highlights the importance of the Criminal Injuries Application Scheme and in particular, the abolition of the ‘same roof’ rule, particularly in the context of non-recent sexual abuse cases.

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The role of The Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL)

Written by Megan Hickey on 14 Nov 2022

What is it?

The Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL) was set up in 1999 by leading solicitors in the field of civil compensation claims, for the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of children and adults.

The Association consists of solicitors, barristers, legal executives, trainee solicitors, barrister pupils, experts, and paralegals.

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Sexual Abuse in The Jesus Army and The Compensation Redress Scheme

Written by Megan Hickey on 03 Nov 2022

Tracey Emmott's note: Subsequent to publishing the blog below on 26th September 2022, the Jesus Army Fellowship Trust launched its compensation scheme for survivors.

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