Abuse Survivors Blog

One consequence of lockdown has been having time to watch some excellent TV programmes.

Netflix’ double ‘Epstein: Filthy Rich’ and ‘Athlete A’ are disturbing documentaries both detailing the sexual exploitation of girls and young women by men of significant power.

The Covid 19 health crisis and in particular lockdown means that children of all ages are unable to attend school and no doubt missing their friends and teachers.

More allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse in the entertainment industry have been exposed, most recently in relation to a top choreographer for the Royal Ballet. 

We have recently been contacted by a victim of a former Boys’ Brigade leader William Bissett who was sexually assaulted by him whilst he was a member of the Boys’ Brigade.

This year has seen many reports of an increase of sexual violence/assaults at UK universities by fellow students/mentors and lecturers. It is deeply shocking and disappointing that respected universities have found themselves in the midst of these revelations. This article looks at the scale of the problem, and the justice routes available to those who have suffered, including compensation.

Highlighting the role of an "ISVA" (Independent Sexual Violence Adviser) and "SARC" (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) in sexual abuse claims.

Popular prime time television programmes continue to tackle difficult subjects, such as, sexual assaults and rape. When running these well researched and well played out storylines many highlight the organisations and support available to victims (of sexual assaults and rape) such as ISVAs and SARCs.

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.

Image based sexual abuse is the non consensual making and / or sharing of nude or intimate private photographs or videos.

Social media outlets make easy platforms for exploitation, whether it be in the form of:

While the death of an abuser can create significant hurdles when considering legal options, a case our client has recently won demonstrates that pursuing justice in the form of a civil compensation claim is not always out of the question.

Our client, a lawyer, whose identity is protected by law, attended Eton College in the 1960s.

Elton John’s classic ‘Sorry seems to be the hardest word’ is none more true in the ambit of sexual assault compensation claims than in any other context.

In representing victims and survivors of sexual assault, whether abused as children or sexually assaulted in adult life, I hear time and time again, the request for an apology. Often it is the refusal or the withholding of an apology that causes a victim or survivor to instigate a legal claim against those accountable. A lot of money could be saved by those on the receiving end of compensation claims arising from sexual assault, if only the relevant person or organisation had done the decent thing and offered a heartfelt apology in the first instance.