The unfortunate reality of abuse in schools

Schools are usually seen as a safe place for children where it is hoped that they are stayed protected throughout the day. However, abuse caused by teachers at school is a harrowing reality which devastates the lives of countless students further shattering the trust parents hold for educational institutions. 

Sexual abuse in school though under reported, is a significant problem. Instances of abuse range from inappropriate comments and advances to more severe forms of assaults. Abuse at schools can have a significant impact on a child’s mental health and their education. Sexual abuse by teachers towards students is not always recognised by the child or the child may not understand that they are being sexually abused until possibly years later.

Justice can always be served for the abuser regardless of the length of time it takes from the date of the abuse to present. The recent conviction of Neil Scott, who was charged with four counts of indecent assault and and five counts of gross indecency following allegations of sexual abuse, took place between 1979 and 1985, at Holmwood House Prep School. He was recently sentenced In July 2024 to 17 years. 

In addition to the above, Robert Kalton a former teacher and choirmaster was jailed for 4 years on the 15th of February 2024 for offences dating all the way back to the 1970s. One of the boys who had disclosed the abuse described how he was abused multiple times over five years when he was aged between only 11 and 16 years old. In a statement to the court the former pupil had said ‘school is a place where you spend a large proportion of your childhood. It is a place where you should feel safe, instead, I was made to dread and fear going to school.’

Fear of not being believed always prevents survivors from speaking out about what they have suffered. This is primarily due to the abusers telling them they wouldn’t be believed. Neil Foden, a former headteacher of a Gwynedd School has been jailed for 17 years after multiple girls came out and accused him of grooming and sexually abusing them. Foden would have unsupervised one to one sessions with the girls which would later evolve to trips to remote rural locations and hotels. The disclosure of the abuse one of the girls suffered prompted others to step forward. 

Here at Jordans Solicitors, we aim to help our clients gain justice and feel a sense of closure when we are successful in their claim. We hope the compensation we win for survivors helps pay for the counselling or any treatment they may need in order to recover and make that first step in healing. 

Jordans Solicitors – helping victims of sexual abuse claim compensation.

If you have been a victim of physical and/or sexual abuse and would like to speak to one of our Specialist Abuse Lawyers in confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We have the knowledge and experience to advise you on the available options for pursuing a Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim and/or civil damages claim.

Our Sexual Abuse Compensation Team can be contacted by telephoning 08009555094 or 03303001103.