Hampshire Constabulary are currently conducting an investigation called "Operation Seaside" into allegations of sexual abuse at Bembridge School on the Isle of Wight. Bembridge School was a public school which taught children aged 9 to 17, which closed on 23rd September 1997. It was also a boarding school.
Safety during a patient’s time in hospital should be a given. On the rare occasion sadly it is not, and circumstances where hospitals have failed in ensuring the safety of their patients, can be quite shocking.
When a victim of a sexual assault has the courage to report sexual abuse or sexual assault, the police should investigate, and this should hopefully lead to a successful prosecution/conviction, and appropriate punishment (usually prison), for the perpetrator.
For decades a significant number of children have joined the scouting movement hoping for adventure and the opportunity to experience new outdoor activities, learn new skills and make friends.
A victim coming forward to speak about sexual abuse or sexual assault often takes an extreme amount of courage. To be treated with suspicion or lack of respect (however subtle that may be) is unacceptable in any case. This was highlighted in the recent Netflix drama ‘Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey’ which aptly demonstrated the differences in police attitudes and treatment of the main character, and her responses.
While over 30 million people tuned in to watch England vs Italy in the Euro 2020 final a few years ago, only the 60,000 in Wembley stadium witnessed the ‘streaker’ that the rest of us were spared thanks to the discretion of the cameras.
This firm recently acted for a client (‘X’), who was sexually assaulted by a vicar (‘Rev Phillip Hayllar’) when he was a child. X successfully obtained a substantial out-of-court settlement after bringing a compensation claim against the Anglican Church for childhood sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of Phillip Hayllar.
The BBC soap EastEnders has been praised for raising awareness in their most recent plotline around the emotive issue of female genital mutilation (FGM). Famous for never shying away from communicating difficult and important issues, the soap focuses this delicate subject around the storyline of the character Mila Marwa. As a child, Mila underwent the horrifying procedure of FGM herself, and becomes fearful of the same thing happening to her younger sister, confronting her mother on her true reasons for sending her sister away to Africa.
Over the past few weeks, more allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct in the entertainment industry have surfaced. Most notably, in relation to Noel Clarke, a well-known actor, producer, screenwriter and director.
All parents and guardians hope that school is a place where their children are safe and able to develop academically, emotionally and socially. It is expected that their safety is a given. Regrettably, and largely down to the initiative of a 22-year-old former student in setting up the ‘Everyone’s Invited’ website, it has recently come to light that in some schools a 'rape culture' exists, so that these schools are not safe places at all.
