Paedophile Hunters: A Help Or A Hindrance?

With so called ‘Paedophile Hunters’ becoming more and more common, the question cannot help but be asked: Are they a help or a hindrance to the law?
Peter Garsden, Head of Abuse Claims, recently spoke on BBC Radio Wales, where he discussed the issue. To read the full article click through to www.abuselaw.co.uk

Study examines the value of sexual assault helplines

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have conducted a study concerning the use and effectiveness of sexual assault helplines.   The results of the study identify the important need for training in immediate and long-term effects of sexual assault.

According to the study, In the US alone there are more than 1,000 crisis hotline links yet, despite their widespread use, much remains unknown about their usefulness.

Click here to read the full article.

Ex-priest Jailed For Historic Child Sex Abuse

The Law Of… following up on historic abuse

A former Catholic priest and children’s home worker has been sentenced to 12 years in jail for historic child sex abuse dating back to the 1970s.

Responding to the details of the case, Peter Garsden – Head of Abuse Claims at Simpson Millar LLP – explains the importance on following up on historic abuse allegations.


Click here to read the full article.

Allegations of child abuse are ‘inaccurate’ says Janner’s daughter

Marion Janner, daughter of the late Greville Janner, has said in a television interview that she has “never” questioned her father’s innocence and is “absolutely” convinced his name will be cleared.

Child abuse allegations

Allegations of child abuse by the late Lord Janner of Braunstone, QC, first emerged publicly in 1991; however, it was deemed that there was not enough evidence to proceed with a charge. Another investigation in 2002 did not result in a charge, as the Crown Prosecution Service did not receive relevant documents. A third criminal challenge came in 2007, when it was again deemed that there was not enough evidence to press charges.

Click here to read the full article.

Secret filming case highlights risks new technology poses to children

A Head Teacher in Bristol has admitted to using a spy pen to film pupils and staff in the toilets of a primary school, prompting concerns over child safety.

Examining the implications, and highlighting the safeguarding dangers caused by improved technology, Child Abuse Lawyer Peter Garsden explains the law surrounding the case.

Click here to read the full article. 

Teenage Girls Jailed For Kidnapping Toddler

In a harrowing case of child abduction, 2 teenage girls, aged 13 and 14, pleaded guilty to kidnapping a toddler from Primark in Newcastle and have been sentenced to 3 years and 3 months in custody.

The girls’ lawyer claimed that their actions were influenced by an older, unnamed man, who convinced them kidnap the toddler.

Click here to read the full article.

Sir Clement Freud alleged sex abuse

Prior to a new documentary which airs on Wednesday 15^th June, the BBC has reported allegations of abuse against the late broadcaster and MP Sir Clement Freud between the late 1940s and 1970s.

One of the alleged victims, Sylvia Woosley, who first met Freud when she was 10 told the ITV Exposure programme that he abused her for years.  A second anonymous woman, claimed he abused her as a child and raped her when she was 18.
To read more click here.

Leading Law Firm Specialising in Representing Victims of Child Abuse joins Simpson Millar LLP

Law firm Abney Garsden, one of the largest practices dedicated to claims by survivors of abuse, is to be incorporated into Simpson Millar.

Peter Garsden, who founded the firm in 1985, said: ‘This is a very exciting time for us and with the support of Simpson Millar we can add even more value to our clients and have even further added security for the important work we do, especially abuse cases...

 To read more click here.

Bring back Indeterminate Sentences for sex offenders

For some years Peter has campaigned for a sentence for sex offenders, which meant they could not be released until they could prove they didn’t represent a danger to the community, and had addressed to the satisfaction of experts, their offending behaviour.

 The length of the life sentence imposed by His Honour Judge Peter Rook QC means that Richard Huckle may be released in 23 years’ time i.e. when he is 53 years of age because of the minimum life term ordered.

 To read more click here.

Goddard considers next steps in Janner abuse investigation

The first preliminary hearing held by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) took place on 9th March at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. It marks the start of public hearings in the Inquiry’s 13 investigations. Its purpose was to consider the next steps in the investigation into institutional responses to allegations of child sexual abuse relating to the politician Lord Greville Janner.
The public bodies under scrutiny in the Janner inquiry include the Crown Prosecution Service, Leicestershire police, Leicestershire county council, a number of care homes, the Labour party and the Home Office.

To read the full blog click here. 

Should Tom Watson have apologised to the Brittans?

Tom Watson has been asked to apologise for representing forcefully, the allegations of abuse that have been relayed to him by victims of non-recent abuse committed by, allegedly, Leon Brittan and others. Peter Garsden discusses the feedback he has received from survivors of abuse and their campaigners.  Read his blog here.

http://www.abuselaw.co.uk/news/latest-posts/should-tom-watson-have-apologised-to-the-brittans/ 

Was Panorama fair to the victims of child abuse?

Following the airing of Panorama’s programme entitled xxxxx The Metropolitan Police have put out a statement that the Panorama programme which sought to undermine their Operation Midland Investigation into Dolphin Square might prevent other victims from coming forwards, and undermine their existing investigation. Peter Garsden gave an interview this morning to BBC London. Read more here. 

http://www.abuselaw.co.uk/news/abuse-articles/was-panorama-fair-to-the-victims-of-child-abuse/

I'm not surprised by the report into 'failings' by the police in child abuse investigations ..

The BBC have reported on a newly published report by the Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) which accuses the Police in England and Wales of failing to carry out effective investigations into allegations of child abuse and neglect. The report focuses on in excess of 500 cases across eight forces where there was an ‘inadequate’ response in 220 cases.

I appeared on the lunch time BBC news programme to discuss my thoughts.

To read the full article click here

Welcome news that Lord Janner will face charges of historic child abuse

Child abuse lawyer Peter Garsden has welcomed the decision of an independent QC who has overruled the original decision of Alison Saunders, the Director of Public Prosecutions, not to charge Lord Janner over claims of historical sex abuse because of his dementia.

 

To read Peter's comments click through to abuselaw.co.uk

 

 

Will Lord Janner stand trial or not?

As we await the decision on whether the independent QS tasked with the review on whether the decision of Alison Saunders (the Director of Public Prosecutions) not to charge Lord Janner with alleged child abuse crimes was the right decision to make, Peter Garsden looks at the possible outcomes.  Click here to read his views www.abuselaw.co.uk

Mandatory reporting of child abuse - is it the answer to child abuse scandals?

See our blog at www.abuselaw.co.uk which discusses David Cameron's proposals for ending the 'culture of denial' which he says exists amongst social workers and other child care professionals.  Peter Garsden looks at the mandatory reporting of child abuse, and considers why this is a better approach.

Jimmy Savile Trust challenges the compensation scheme in the Court of Appeal.

I will be speaking on BBC Radio Leeds drivetime concerning the news that the trustees controlling Jimmy Savile's charitable trust are trying to prevent victims claiming compensation from his estate.


As it stands the victims can't legally claim compensation from the money which the trust controls, but they can claim from Savile's estate. But now, the trustees who control £3.7M, have won the right to challenge any payouts from the Savile estate and plan to take their case to the Court of Appeal later in the year. If the trust's case is found successful, victims may not even be able to claim compensation from the Savile estate

Why now

This has come as a shock to both lawyers representing the victims and the victims themselves, as initially there was no objection from the trust to the compensation scheme when it was being agreed at the High Court, but the trust instead lodged papers afterwards with the Court of Appeal. It has been documented that the named trustees of the charity also appear as beneficiaries in Savile's will.

Impact on victims

Understandably the victims are said to be angry and disappointed. This will mean that the case will drag on even longer than otherwise it would have done, and will be frustrating finalisation of the claims.

The Jimmy Savile Compensation Claims are set up to be shared under a scheme already set up between the estate of Jimmy Savile, the BBC, and the NHS Trust. There has been authorised advertising, and a capped limit of £60,000 per claim.

Will victims voices be properly heard in the new child abuse inquiry?

Teresay May's Parliamentary announcement

In the last few days, there has been prolific media coverage regarding child abuse investigations and inquiries into historical abuse allegations in institutions around the UK. 

The home secretary has announced a wide-ranging, Hillsborough-style inquiry into historic child sex abuse claims, “to consider whether public bodies and other non-state institutions have taken seriously their duty of care to protect children”.  Baroness Butler-Sloss was announced on Tuesday as head of this inquiry, the details of which are still being scoped.

It’s thought likely to be a documentary inquiry rather than hearing from actual witnesses. If this is the case then the victims of abuse will not be heard, which in my experience as an abuse lawyer, is exactly what survivors of abuse desire the most, to be listened to.

In my view, in order to arrive at an ideal format for the inquiry, perhaps they should look at the institutional abuse inquiries in Northern and Southern Ireland.  They should select the best parts of each of these, both of which heard from survivors, who after all are at the core of the matter. I have already blogged about this subject here and here

The Home Office review is an investigation into the handling of documents relating to claims of a paedophile ring at Westminster in the 1980s.  Home Secretary Theresa May has appointed the head of the NSPCC, Peter Wanless to lead an investigation, the results of which is expected within 10 weeks.

When this inquiry was announced I was asked by various radio and TV news programmes for my views on it as an abuse lawyer.

Before it was announced that the inquiry would be led by the NSPCC, it was initially said that it would be a lawyer led inquiry.  I wonder whether the charity will have enough powers to carry out all that is required, for example, being able to demand access to documents held by government.  If the inquiry is to be forensic in nature, as I believe it should be, is the CEO of a charity the right person to deal with it?   Wouldn’t it be better led by a judge who is more likely to have a forensic approach to tracing documents and what has become of them?

Teresa May said she could turn it into a public enquiry if Peter Wanless thought it appropriate. Why not announce a public enquiry straight away? At least then everything would be out in the open, and much needed transparency achieved.

If the enquiry is not public then the chances of a further cover up being suspected are that much more likely.