HJ Talks About Abuse

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.

Decoding the Apology in Sexual Abuse Cases

Welcome to the latest episode of the HJ Talks Abuse podcast where we unpack 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 episode, host Alan Collins, the partner heading the abuse team at Hugh James, is joined by expert colleague Danielle Vincent. They  discuss an important, often overlooked aspect in these cases - the apology. However, listener discretion is advised as the sensitive nature of the content could be distressing for some.

This episode delves into the complexity surrounding apologies in the aftermath of sexual abuse. The UK Ministry of Justice has initiated a consultation paper concerned with the the legal ramifications of apologies in civil proceedings and whether reform is needed. The hosts explore how apologies, considered a significant part of the legal landscape, can impact the course of a case and the survivors' healing process.

Dani and Alan delve deeper into the intricacies surrounding apologies and their legal implications, the reactions of survivors, and complexities tethering apologies to liability. The conversation also includes a brief look at the legal approach to apologies in jurisdictions like Scotland, Hong Kong, and Northern Ireland. Lastly, the hosts relay urgent concerns about the proposed changes and urge listeners to remain engaged and contribute to the consultation paper.

The Role of Safeguarding Training with Safeguard First

On this week’s episode of the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast, our host Danielle Vincent discusses failings in child safeguarding and the lack of training available with special guests Lucy McCollum and Amy Lott.

 Lucy and Amy have founded Safeguarding First, a charity that provides safeguarding training.

 We discuss the need for safeguarding training and how this could not only prevent abuse taking place but provide guidance on whistleblowing/reporting.

Specifically founded with a mission to refine safeguarding practices across the UK, Safeguarding First aims to provide training to both individual and organisations, with both the option for virtual training or a further bespoke package for a particular organisation’s needs. Drawing from their own lived trauma, Lucy and Amy highlight the need for thorough training for parents, volunteers, and professionals entrusted with the care of children.

Lucy and Amy introduce Safeguarding First’s forthcoming online courses designed to empower every listener to deal responsibly with situations of suspected abuse. Both highlight how vital it is to ask uncomfortable questions, follow strict processes, and report even minor suspicions, making children's environments more secure and empowering individuals with resources for appropriate help.

The episode concludes with an encouraging call-to-action for listeners to actively participate in designing future courses and to support Safeguarding First’s fundraising efforts. As part of their expansion and outreach efforts, they also highlight the launch event scheduled in October 2024.

This podcast affirms the paramount importance of each individual's role in protecting children from abuse and calls for collective efforts toward ensuring child safety nationwide. You can learn more about Safeguarding First’s crucial initiative by visiting safeguarding1st.com or by emailing lucy@safeguarding1st.com

Survivor-Led Conversations on a Silent Issue

Join Danielle Vincent and her colleague Kathleen Hallisey on the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast, sponsored by the abuse team at Hugh James, as they welcome guest Tanith McCulloch, the Sibling Sexual Abuse Project Officer. This particular episode aims to shed light on the seldom-mentioned issue of sibling sexual abuse, offering insights from a survivor-led project aimed at empowering survivors and addressing the legal implications and broader issues they face.

Tanith McCulloch introduces her notable work in driving funding towards programs aimed at adult survivors of familial sexual abuse. www.siblingsexualabusesupport.org

A major part of the conversation focuses on society's lack of understanding and the associated stigma surrounding sibling sexual abuse, emphasising the crucial need to empower survivors. 

There is discussion about the new Hollyoaks storyline focusing on sibling sexual abuse between Frankie and JJ, the guidance that Tanith and her team have provided to Hollyoaks, and the importance of a major mainstream soap opera highlighting this hidden abuse.   

Recognising the significance of community support, a virtual network exclusive for adult survivors of Sibling Sexual Abuse (SSA) is discussed. Professional development opportunities for professionals in this field, guided directly by survivors, is another vital segment of the project. The episode wraps up with a crucial discussion defining sibling sexual abuse, tackling cultural misconceptions, and elucidating the importance of survivors' feelings towards abusive experiences, irrespective of societal-defined thresholds of abuse.

Intended as an informative resource for anyone touched by or working in the field of sexual abuse, this episode is an eye-opening encounter with the reality behind the silence of sibling sexual abuse. This survivor-led dialogue works towards breaking the stigma by bringing the issue out in open.

You can find further support and resources here:

• www.siblingsexualabusesupport.org
• Rape Crisis England & Wales - 24-hour telephone line 0808500222
• lucyfaithfull.org.uk
• Stop It Now | Preventing child sexual abuse
• siblingsexualtrauma.com in America

Unpacking the Controversial Sexual Consent Campaign - HJ Talks About Abuse Episode Discussion

In this week's episode of HJ Talks About Abuse, hosts Kathleen Hallisey and Hannah Hodgson delve into the nuances of a controversial campaign addressing sexual consent. Aptly titled "I'm Asking For It," the campaign, fronted by Emily Atack and orchestrated by CPB London and Right to Equality, aims to push for an overhaul of legal regulations surrounding sexual offences and promote the affirmative consent model. The hosts critically analyse this campaign and its potential implications for survivors, the legal system, and societal perceptions surrounding consent.

The hosts outline the campaign's aim of challenging the status quo in the realm of sexual consent - moving from ambiguities and the concept of "implied consent," to a more explicit, affirmative model where unequivocal consent is required. As they dissect the campaign, they highlight its timing and relevance, released near International Women's Day, reflecting the ongoing struggle for women's safety, rights, and acknowledgment of sexual abuse.

They further probe into the paradigm shift that the new proposed consent model would bring about, not only legally, but also in the dynamics of sexual interactions. This includes the prospect of every sexual activity needing explicit consent, a change that would render previous "grey areas" obsolete, thus empowering survivors and reducing instances of victim-blaming.

By bringing to the table issues of cyber flashing and cyber sexual harassment, Emily Atack's involvement and the public response, they dissect different facets of this contentious campaign. Kathleen and Hannah underscore the urgent need for a more assertive and clear legislation on consent, in response to the challenges faced by survivors and the uncertainties present in the current law. The episode ends on a hopeful note, reinforcing HJ Talks About Abuse's commitment to discourse on survivor empowerment and consent, and promising to keep listeners updated on developments related to the campaign.

The Failures in Police Institutions Revealed by the Sarah Everard Case

In this episode, we delve into the serious issues brought forward by the tragic Sarah Everard case. The story of Sarah Everard, a victim of former police officer Wayne Cousins, confronts us with the frightening reality of sexual abuse committed by rogue police officers within the very institution meant to protect us. We explore this dreadful case in detail, focusing on the problematic systems that allowed Cousins to become and remain a police officer.

Given the disturbing nature of this discussion, listeners are cautioned that this topic might be upsetting. For those who are ready, we encourage you to join us as we unpack the concerns surrounding Wayne Cousins' employment and the broader implications of this issue within the police force.

We understand that these cases can be quite distressing and heartbreaking. Still, we believe it is crucial to bring these subjects to light for changes to be made. In this case, discussion topics revolve around the recruitment, vetting, and monitoring processes of police officers as well as the culture within the police force.

From our point of view, a legal minimum standard must be set and mandatory for the recruiting, vetting, and monitoring processes of police officers. By ensuring this, we hope to prevent future cases like the devastating case of Sarah Everard.

Lastly, we hope this podcast serves as a reminder to all victims of sexual abuse to understand that they have legal rights. They deserve to be supported and heard, and they have the right to seek accountability and compensation for the damage they have suffered.