HJ Talks About Abuse

Church of England's Safeguarding Scandal: A Deep Dive

Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we discuss sexual abuse cases to encourage open conversations on topics often ignored. Brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James, we aim to empower survivors with our discussions.

 

In this episode, Alan Collins, head of the abuse team at Hugh James, is joined by Justin Humphreys, CEO and Head of Safeguarding Development at Thirtyone:eight. They delve into a recent BBC news story concerning safeguarding issues within the Church of England, focusing on the diocese of Blackburn.

 

Amidst allegations and a controversial payout to a canon, Alan and Justin discuss the complexities and failures of the Church's safeguarding processes. They explore the implications for victims and survivors, and what needs to change to restore trust and ensure robust safeguarding practices.

 

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the challenges and necessary reforms in safeguarding within religious settings.

The Hidden Dangers of Sharing Intimate Images

Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, presented by the abuse team at Hugh James. In this episode, Alan Collins and Danielle Vincent delve into the sensitive and complex topic of sharing intimate images.

They explore the legal and emotional ramifications of sharing indecent photos, with or without consent, and how such actions can have far-reaching consequences. The discussion highlights the normalisation of this behaviour among young people, often exacerbated by media portrayals and peer pressure.

Alan and Danielle also touch upon the role of technology in facilitating this issue, from smartphones to social media platforms, and the challenges in protecting children from exploitation. They emphasise the importance of education and awareness in combating image-based abuse and offer insights into recent legal cases and societal trends.

Join the conversation as they provide a thought-provoking analysis on the dangers of sharing intimate images and the impact on survivors of abuse. 

Abuse in Positions of Trust: A Deep Dive

Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we discuss sexual abuse cases to encourage open conversations on topics often overlooked. Brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James, we focus on the legal aspects of abuse cases while also addressing the broader issues faced by survivors.

In this episode, Alan Collins and Danielle Vincent delve into the distressing topic of abuse in positions of trust. They explore how individuals in roles such as teachers, scout leaders, and coaches can exploit their professional obligations to abuse children. The discussion includes recent legal developments, the impact on survivors, and real-life cases, including the infamous George Gibney case.

Danielle highlights the importance of understanding why children often don't disclose abuse and how abusers infiltrate family lives to maintain control. The episode also examines the patterns of behaviour changes in abused children and the challenges in prosecuting cases, especially when the abuser is deceased.

Join us for an insightful discussion aimed at empowering survivors and shedding light on the critical issue of abuse in positions of trust.

The Hidden Dangers of Social Media: A Deep Dive into Online Grooming and Abuse

In this episode, Kathleen Hallisey and Hannah Hodgson from the Abuse Team discuss a recent Sky News article and a BBC series addressing the pressing issues of online grooming and sexual abuse. How the sending of one photo led an 11-year-old girl to become a victim of physical sex abuse | UK News | Sky News

The conversation centers around the alarming story of an 11-year-old girl who became a victim of online grooming, leading to physical abuse. The discussion extends to the broader implications of children using social media and the rapid spread of self-generated indecent images.

They also explore the role of education in schools and at home, the responsibilities of tech platforms, and the potential legal mechanisms to hold these platforms accountable. The episode underscores the importance of reporting such incidents and seeking support for affected individuals.

Join us for this crucial conversation about safeguarding children in the digital age.

Unveiling the Hidden Crisis: Staff-to-Student Sexual Abuse in Universities

Join Kathleen Hallisey, Senior Associate, and her colleague Danielle Vincent as they delve into the pressing issue of sexual abuse and misconduct on university campuses.

Inspired by a suggestion from summer placement intern Tia, Kathleen and Danielle discuss the alarming prevalence of staff-to-student sexual abuse, highlighting testimonies from universities like Exeter, Oxford, and Cambridge. They examine the power imbalances, the portrayal of such relationships in media, and the significant impact on victims' mental health and academic careers.

Learn about the efforts of the National Union of Students and the Office for Students to combat this issue, and the importance of institutional responses in preventing and addressing abuse. Tune in for an insightful conversation on a topic that demands attention and action.

For those affected by these issues, or with suggestions for future discussions, please reach out to the Hugh James Abuse Team. Your voice matters.

Silent Suffering: Sexual Abuse in Mental Health Facilities and Legal Support for Survivors

This episode, brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James, delves into the alarming reports of sexual abuse faced by mental health patients in UK hospitals.

Hosts Alan Collins and Kathleen Hallisey explore recent media coverage revealing that up to 20,000 incidents of sexual abuse have been reported in NHS mental health trusts over the past five years. They discuss the vulnerabilities of inpatients, the role of hospital staff, and the complexities of addressing these disturbing allegations.

The episode also examines Mayor Sadiq Khan's announcement of free legal advice for sexual assault victims in London. While the initiative aims to combat violence against women and girls, the hosts question its effectiveness and the need for better support and reporting mechanisms.

Join the conversation as we uncover the challenges faced by survivors and the steps needed to ensure justice and safety in mental health facilities.

Justice Beyond Conviction: A Survivor's Victory in Civil Court

In this episode, Danielle and Hannah discuss a recent media-highlighted case where a woman sued her therapist for sexual assault and was awarded over £200,000 in damages by the High Court. Despite the lack of a criminal conviction, this case underscores the possibility of pursuing civil claims for justice. The survivor's journey, spanning over eight years, is a testament to resilience and the importance of seeking justice beyond the criminal courts.

This episode sheds light on the different standards of proof in criminal and civil cases and encourages survivors who haven't seen success in criminal courts to consider civil claims. The discussion also emphasises the importance of public awareness and support for survivors who bravely share their stories to help others.

We hope this episode provides valuable insights and encourages anyone affected by similar issues to seek advice and explore their options. Stay tuned as we follow the developments in this case and continue to support survivors seeking justice.

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.