Abuse Survivors Blog

Many survivors of childhood sexual abuse carry the impact of those experiences for decades before feeling able to speak about them. The decision to come forward is rarely straightforward. Legal processes can feel complex and emotionally demanding, particularly when abuse took place within an institution.

As the summer holidays draw to a close and the start of a new academic year approaches, families across the country are preparing for the familiar rituals of the back-to-school season. Whether it's buying new school shoes, labelling uniforms, or meeting teachers during transition days in the summer term, this is a time filled with anticipation and hope for both students and parents.

While schools are places of learning, growth, and safety, there remains a crucial responsibility for educational institutions to ensure that robust safeguarding measures are in place.

We are proud to be representing the two gentleman who were courageous enough to first report their abuser house parent, Clive Niblett, to Surrey police, in their pursuit of justice and financial restitution.

At this time of year many young people are returning to or starting further education having left school. Most have good memories of this time and have the benefit of responsible, skilled and knowledgeable teachers/tutors whose priority are their students and their wellbeing. Sadly, there are some who use their position to groom and abuse those in their care. 

On the 23 May 2023, the body of Melvyn Ramsden (AKA Michel Rameau) was found in Cluis, France, after he had been reported missing for three months. This was confirmed by Cambridgeshire Police.

We act for two victims who were sexually assaulted whilst resident at St Francis School for Boys, Hooke, Dorset

At the risk of being a bah humbug in the run up to the Christmas season, given that we approach a celebration with great significance to the Christian church, it is appropriate to be reminded of the recommendations made to the Christian church by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (“IICSA”) in their scrutiny of abuse in religious institutions.

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme marked its first-year anniversary on 26 September 2023. It was set up to compensate former members of the Jesus Fellowship Church (also known as the Jesus Army) who suffered sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse whilst in the organisation. As previously noted, the scheme was launched on 26 September 2022 and will end on 31 December 2023.

The concept of modus operandi in the context of sexual assault cases refers to a perpetrator’s behaviours prior to, during, and following sexual abuse.

A new school term and academic year is a timely reminder of the ongoing need to be vigilant on safeguarding matters.

Media coverage of safeguarding failures in schools are salutary reminders of what can go wrong when a blind eye is turned, or when policies and procedures are not complied with.