HJ Talks About Abuse

Government Proposals to Ease Civil Claims for Child Sex Abuse Victims

In this episode, Alan Collins, the head of the abuse team, explores the UK Conservative government's proposals to make it easier for child sex abuse victims to bring civil claims. These proposals are designed to reduce the trauma survivors face during legal proceedings.

The episode delves into the intricacies of the Limitation Act 1980, which currently requires claims to be made within three years of a victim turning 18. Alan discusses the challenges posed by this limitation, especially for survivors who come forward many years after the abuse.

Alan examines the government's press release from May 15, 2024, which outlines a consultation on reversing the burden of proof. This change would place the onus on defendants to prove that a fair trial is not possible, rather than on victims to prove their case within the specified time frame.

The episode also compares reforms in other jurisdictions, such as Australia and Scotland, and discusses the potential impact of these changes on the justice system. Alan emphasises the importance of participating in the consultation process to ensure that the reforms are effective and fair to survivors.

Tune in to understand the proposed changes, their implications for survivors, and the importance of legal reform in achieving justice for child sex abuse victims.

Election Promises and Child Abuse: A Critical Review

In this episode, Alan dives into the manifestos of the Labour Party, the Conservative Party, and the Liberal Democrats to examine what they have to say about child abuse and related issues. Alan provides a non-partisan analysis, focusing on key topics such as mandatory reporting laws, justice for victims, and proposed redress schemes.

Alan discusses the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (ICSA) recommendations and how each party addresses—or fails to address—them. He highlights the importance of mandatory reporting and the need for accountability in the justice system. The episode also touches on the complex nature of handling rape cases and the necessity for timely justice.

Join Alan as he navigates through these political manifestos, offering insights and critiques that are crucial for survivors of sexual abuse and those advocating for their rights. Whether you are a regular listener or tuning in for the first time, this episode aims to inform and empower.

A Journey from Volunteer to Director: Zoe Bell's Story at East Kent Rape Crisis Centre

Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, the podcast where we talk about sexual abuse cases in the hope that it will assist listeners in openly discussing topics which have been ignored for too long. This podcast is brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James.

We are lawyers, so we tend to speak about the legal aspects of abuse cases, but we aren't too shy to speak up about the broader issues faced by survivors of sexual abuse, too. We hope that you find it interesting, but more than that, if you are a survivor of sexual abuse, we hope that you find our discussion empowering.

In this episode, Danielle Vincent is joined by Zoe Bell, Director of East Kent Rape Crisis Centre. Zoe shares her inspiring journey from a volunteer helpline worker to director of the center, highlighting the impactful work being done to support survivors of sexual abuse. They discuss the center's innovative therapeutic approaches, such as walk and talk therapy and side by side therapy, and the importance of creating a supportive environment for survivors.

Zoe also talks about the Kickback Group, a survivor-led initiative providing invaluable feedback to shape the services offered at the center. Additionally, she shares her experience of being invited to Buckingham Palace in recognition of her work in the sexual violence sector.

For those in need of support or more information about the services offered by East Kent Rape Crisis Centre, Danielle provides details on how to get in touch and access resources. Tune in to hear more about the incredible work being done to support survivors and the importance of having their voices heard.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please visit our website or contact us directly. Thank you for listening.

Female Teacher's Abuse: Unpacking the Case of Rebecca Joynes

Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James. In this week's episode, Alan Collins and his colleagues Kathleen Hallisey, Danielle Vincent, and Hannah Hodgson discuss the distressing case of Rebecca Joynes, a female schoolteacher recently convicted of sexual offences against two 15-year-old schoolboys.

Join us as we delve into the details of the case, exploring the legal and broader issues faced by survivors of sexual abuse. Hannah provides a background on the incidents, including how Joynes groomed her victims and the subsequent legal actions taken against her.

The team also examines public reactions to the case, highlighting the disparities in how male and female abusers are perceived and the significant impact such abuse has on the victims' lives. This episode aims to shed light on the complex dynamics of abuse and the importance of understanding and addressing these issues.

We hope this discussion is both informative and empowering, especially for survivors of sexual abuse. Tune in to learn more about this case and the broader implications of abuse by those in positions of trust.

Unveiling the Dark Side: The Case of the Disgraced Vicar

Welcome to the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast, brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James. In this episode, Alan Collins, the head of the abuse team, along with his colleagues Kathleen Hallisey and Hannah Hodgson, delve into the unsettling case of Reverend Julian Wheeler, a former Church of England clergyman recently convicted of sexually abusing two altar boys.

We discuss the legal concept of vicarious liability and its implications for organisations in cases of abuse. This episode highlights how the misuse of power by individuals in positions of authority, such as priests, can lead to severe consequences for victims. We also explore the broader issues faced by survivors, including the impact of mandatory reporting and the complex dynamics within faith communities that can hinder justice.

Join us as we examine the importance of safeguarding, the challenges of mandatory reporting, and the profound need for support and empowerment for survivors of clergy abuse. We hope this discussion not only informs but also encourages those affected to come forward and seek help.

Thank you for listening to this episode of HJ Talks About Abuse. You can subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. If you'd like to speak to us about something you've heard today, we'd love to hear from you.

A necessary dialogue: Abuse in the navy

In this insightful episode of the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast, the host Alan Collins, partner at Hugh James, and his colleague Danielle Vincent come together to discuss the pressing issue of sexual abuse allegations within the Royal Navy. This frank dialogue is sparked by recent media coverage around a whistleblower, Sophie Brook, a former Royal Navy submarine naval officer, who courageously brought to light the inadequate handling of her own sexual abuse allegations.

Alan and Danielle explore the unique dynamics within military institutions, struggling to differentiate between initiations and inappropriate, harmful behavior. They delve into the complex world of the armed forces, a historically male-dominated environment, and the challenges that survivors of sexual abuse face in this context. The hosts underscore the need for transparency and independent report handling in the armed forces. Furthermore, they highlight the negative implications these issues could have on recruitment and the lives of promising service people.

Join Alan and Danielle as they examine the closed world of the military, highlighting experiences that have led to significant change, and call for greater action to ensure the safety and dignity of all service people.

NI Redress Scheme Closing 2 April 2025

In this episode of the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast, the hosts, Alan Collins and Danielle Vincent discuss the Northern Ireland redress scheme. This scheme was established as compensation for adults who suffered abuse while they were children in the care system in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995. The scheme was initiated by the UK parliament on the basis of several recommendations. The Redress Board in Northern Ireland administers this compensation scheme.

Danielle and Alan delve into why they decided to discuss the Northern Ireland redress scheme in this podcast episode. They share their experiences working on the scheme for almost two years, emphasising on the significant settlements they achieved for their clients. Danielle illustrates how these cases often involve large families, shedding light on the pervasiveness of abuse in the care system.

They stress on the importance of awareness around such schemes. Alan points out that several individuals eligible for these schemes often miss out due to lack of knowledge about them. They urge organisations working with abuse survivors to be well-informed about these schemes to inform those who could potentially apply. The conversations emphasise the need for wider publicity, education, and training for the success of such schemes.

The hosts also share their experiences working on redress schemes globally, including the Jersey, Lambeth and in Australia. They explain how such schemes often offer survivors more accessible justice compared to court proceedings. In the concluding segment, they highlight that the deadline for the Northern Ireland redress scheme is approaching, advocating for survivors, or their family members to apply if eligible.
The hosts encourage listeners to contact them should they have any questions about the podcast or need assistance applying to the scheme. 

Sexual Abuse, Stalking, and Overcoming Trauma

Delve into the themes of 'Baby Reindeer', a riveting Netflix series, with Danielle and Hannah in the H.J. Talks About Abuse Podcast. This episode presents a thoughtful discussion about the serious issues portrayed in the TV series, which include sexual abuse, stalking, and broader issues faced by survivors of such traumas. As legal experts, Danielle and Hannah also explore the legal aspects surrounding these issues.

They talk about the power dynamics, the stigmatization, and the barriers to reporting such incidents, particularly for gay and bisexual men. Listeners are warned about potentially upsetting themes. At the end of the podcast, they emphasize the importance of seeking support and help. It's a powerful discussion not just for survivors of abuse, but for all audiences to broaden their understanding and empathy towards such grave issues.

A numbe rof support services:

• Services - Safeline - Believe in you - Surviving sexual abuse & rape
• 1in6 | Sexual Abuse of Boys & Men - Confidential Support
• www.survivorsuk.org/
• Support For Male Survivors - MSP - The Male Survivors Partnership
• Rape Crisis England & Wales

Confronting the Crisis in Our Digital Age

In this engaging podcast episode, Alan Collins, head of the abuse team at Hugh James Solicitors, dives into the alarming issue of child sexual exploitation via technology, particularly focusing on the startling fact that children as young as three are being embroiled in online sexual abuse. Collins discusses a recent report by the Internet Watch Foundation, which confirms the horrifying extent of this crisis.

Alan asserts that this isn't just an issue for governments, law enforcement, or social media platforms—it's a concern for all of us as a society. He explores how this exploitation often intersects with other criminal activities, such as drug smuggling, and underlines the enormous financial motivations behind these deplorable acts.

The podcast further delves into the role of technology, with Alan questioning how young children gain access to it and the inherent risks exposed. Alongside this, he discusses the vital importance of education in identifying and understanding these risks and denotes how media potentially amplifies these problems by presenting unrealistic lifestyles and behaviors that young people tend to emulate.

Finally, he emphasises the imperative of listening to survivors of abuse to better comprehend the devastation caused by this menace and find effective ways to prevent history from repeating. Keeping in mind the dire consequences, Alan underscores the need for collective action and conscious effort to eradicate this atrocious practice from our society.

Breaking The Silence on Sexual Assault on Older Woman: An Eastenders Storyline

Welcome to the latest episode of the HJ Talks Abuse podcast where we discuss sexual abuse cases to facilitate discussion on often neglected subjects. Brought to you by the legal experts at Hugh James, we aim to not just address these cases from a legal standpoint but also bring to light to broader issues suffered by survivors of sexual abuse.

 

In this week’s episode, we discuss mainstream soap EastEnders storyline that follows the sexual assault of an older female character perpetrated by a trusted religious figure who is in a position of trust.

 

Our hosts for the day, Danielle Vincent, Kathleen Hallisey, and Hannah Hodgson initiate the conversation with a trigger warning, as the episode touches upon sensitive themes like sexual assault, abuse, and religion. Hannah takes the lead in examining the upcoming narrative which features the sexual abuse of an older female character named Yolanda by a pastor, Clayton. The motives behind choosing such a storyline were to shatter the stereotypical image that only younger women are subject to rape and sexual assault. A spin-off of this storyline also indicates an overlooked aspect of positional abuse.

 

We also discuss the 'Chilling Silence Report' by SARSAS, which delves into the unexplored area of sexual violence against older women. We discuss how this report untangles the societal and cultural factors preventing older women from reporting sexual abuse cases, which is often downplayed or normalised due to ageism or existing stereotypes. The hosts opine that these challenging storylines could spark conversations within families, causing a ripple effect of awareness throughout society.

 

A crucial outcome of this discussion is the encouragement of victims to seek support, as well as to get in touch with Rape Crisis England and Wales – the organisation that specialises in this regard.

 

If you have any suggestions or inquiries related to this issue or future podcasts, feel free to get in touch. For more on this topic, you can find referral links in the blog.