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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Recent update: Due to the sad news of Her Majesty's death, and the scheduled date of the Bedford Legal Walk coinciding with her state funeral, a decision was taken to cancel the Bedford Legal Walk. Emmott Snell Solicitors would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who kindly made a sponsorship donation. We are currently looking into ways of doing the fundraising by some other means and will update all our supporters shortly.
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.
