The Covid-19 health crisis and the lockdown that has proceeded are providing many with the time and opportunity to reflect on their present and past life.
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. Even more so with the government lockdown due to the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic. With children off of school, predatory paedophiles have access to them more than ever before.
A former resident of a children’s home in Coventry children’s home has successfully obtained an out-of-court settlement in a civil action against Coventry City Council for physical and sexual abuse he suffered while in the care of the Council.
Many victims of sexual abuse live in silence and fear. It is heartening that more victims of sexual abuse are speaking out. This is thought to be as a result of the public inquiries and reporting of high-profile cases in the media. In 2014 the Government set up the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (“IICSA”) to look at how institutions have handled their duty of care to protect children. The inquiry set up the Truth Project which has heard from thousands of victims of sexual abuse.
Editor's note: This post was originally written in 2017 and has since been brought up to date in honour of World Mental Health Day 2019.
Secondary mental health problems including compassion fatigue and secondary trauma are especially prevalent among those working in industries that require them to work closely with victims of trauma, or that expose them to trauma on a secondary level. However it's not often given the attention it deserves and as a result, those at risk are not prioritising their own mental health.
A former pupil of Lincoln Cathedral School successfully obtained an out-of-court settlement in a civil action against the Lincoln Cathedral Dean and Chapter for sexual abuse he suffered whilst at the school.
For anyone who has suffered sexual abuse it may take years before they have the courage to come forward to speak of the abuse to their friends and family or even the police.
You may feel deeply embarrassed and ashamed to discuss what happened to you.
Child abuse can happen to any child, irrespective of their gender, race, age or background. Unfortunately, there is no way to absolutely prevent child abuse. However, caregivers can take steps to reduce the risk.
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Whilst child abuse can be sexual, physical, emotional and neglect, for the purpose of this article we focus on sexual child abuse and exploitation.
This week, 4-10 February 2019, is the third annual Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week.
This awareness week was established in 2016 to highlight awareness of sexual abuse and violence and generate discussion on this difficult topic. With this in mind it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the work of the Independent Sexual Violence (‘ISVA’) and in particular the training they undertake to equip them with the skills they may need in fulfilling this unquestionably challenging and diverse role.
If you have been sexually abused and are considering seeking justice by way of bringing a compensation claim, there may be options open to you as to who to pursue.
