HJ Talks About Abuse
The Hugh James Abuse Team
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We’re starting the conversation about sexual abuse to inform and offer legal support for listeners, by discussing recent cases and topics which have been ignored for too long.
Available episodes
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Formerly convicted sex offenders using aliases to claim benefits and apply for work
In this week's episode, the Abuse Team discusses the recent headlines surrounding sex offenders using aliases when claiming benefits or applying for work upon their release from prison.
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Dec 1, 2023
Government clamps down on spread of AI-generated child abuse images
In this week's episode, the Abuse Team discusses the increasing use of AI by paedophiles to create child sex abuse images, and how the Online Safety Act aims to hold social media platforms more responsible for the content published on their platforms.
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Nov 24, 2023
A report into child sexual offending behaviours among Australian men
In this week's episode, the Abuse Team discusses The University of New South Wales' recently published report on child sexual offending behaviour and attitudes among Australian men.
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Nov 17, 2023
Sailor jailed for rape on Royal Navy ship
In this episode, the team discusses Sailor James Carnegie, who has recently been jailed for six years at Truro for raping a female colleague on bard a Royal Navy ship while overseas.
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Nov 10, 2023
Plymouth Brethren Christian Church members under investigation for alleged sexual abuse
In this episode, the team discusses the recent reports that have surfaced uncovering decades of alleged child sexual abuse within the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.
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Nov 2, 2023
Man jailed for 27 years following historic sexual abuse at boarding school
In this week's episode, the abuse team discusses the subject of sexual abuse in schools, prompted by the recent headlines surrounding an ex-boarding school employee who has been jailed for 27 years following sexual offences he committed against students.
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Oct 20, 2023
Rail industry cracks down on sexual harassment
In this week's podcast, the abuse team discusses the ongoing issue of sexual harassment on the railway. In recent times, it is sadly not uncommon to see many headlines involving sexual harassment and assaults that have taken place on trains and underground lines across London and the rest of the UK.
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Oct 13, 2023
Army inquiry finds sexual harassment from boss led to female soldier’s suicide
In this week's episode, the abuse team discusses the recent inquiry into Jaysley Beck's death after she took her own life following an intense period of sexual harassment behaviour by her boss within the military.
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Oct 6, 2023
Abercrombie & Fitch ex-CEO accused of exploiting men for sex
In this week's episode, the abuse team discusses the recent investigations surrounding allegations of sexual misconduct by the ex-CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch and his partner. They were allegedly exploiting men at sex events they hosted around the world.
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Sep 28, 2023
Sexual abuse in medical settings
In this episode the team discuss the subject of sexual abuse in medical settings, as female surgeons report being sexually harassed, assaulted and raped by senior male surgeons in the workplace.
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Sep 22, 2023
Sexual abuse within the comedy industry
In light of the recent allegations against comedian and actor Russell Brand, the abuse team have a conversation about how the comedy industry uses humour to abuse and silence women, and has done so for many years.
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Sep 15, 2023
Tagging system for prisoners to protect survivors of abuse
In this episode, the team discusses the launch of the new tagging scheme that is being launched in the East and West Midlands, to protect victims of abuse from perpetrators when released from prison.
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Sep 8, 2023
Scout leader jailed for sexually abusing two children
In this latest podcast the team discusses the recent ex-scout leader who has been convicted for sexually abusing two children at a scout camp.
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Sep 1, 2023
A discussion on Emmerdale’s sexual abuse storyline
In this week's episode, the team discusses the upcoming storyline in Emmerdale regarding the well-known character Lydia Dingle's rape storyline, played by Karen Blick.
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Aug 25, 2023
Abuse in military settings
In this week’s episode of HJ Talks about Abuse, the team discusses the recent case of a Royal Navy commander who put his hand down female sailor's pants on train ride back from day trip to Amsterdam is jailed for 10 months for sexual assault. As a result of this and similar cases, two independent studies have concluded military police and military courts should not be handling these cases, it should be the civilian police and the civilian courts. Our thoughts.
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Aug 18, 2023
The effectiveness of Operation Bluestone on increasing rape convictions
In this week’s episode of HJ Talks about Abuse, the team discusses rape trials and convictions, in particular a headline that has been in the press recently regarding Avon and Somerset Police’s new ‘whole story approach’ named ‘Operation Bluestone’, aimed at increasing rape prosecutions.
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Aug 11, 2023
Sexual predators posing as Uber drivers
In this week’s episode of HJ Talks About Abuse, Danielle and Hannah from the Abuse team discuss the recent headlines surrounding a sexual predator who posed as an Uber driver to sexually assault women.
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Aug 8, 2023
Wind River: Sexual Abuse in Ethnic Minority Communities / Isolated Communities
Imagine a remote area in Wyoming, USA, with vast forests and snow-capped mountains. Wind River, a film inspired by true events, delves into the dark world of violence and sexual abuse faced by American Indian women in this very region. The movie portrays the heartbreaking story of two teenage American Indian girls who fall victim to sexual abuse and murder, shedding light on an endemic issue affecting Native American and Alaskan Native women. Shockingly, according to a Department of Justice study, 84% of them have experienced some form of violence, while 56% have endured sexual violence.
The film highlights how abuse can thrive in such isolated communities, where remoteness, a small police force, and negative attitudes towards victims create a breeding ground for violence. Moreover, themes of drug abuse, homelessness, and poverty add to the complexities that perpetuate this tragic cycle. While Wind River's portrayal is uncomfortable and hard-hitting, it draws attention to a harsh real…
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Jul 28, 2023
Actor Kevin Spacey cleared of sexual abuse charges
In this week’s podcast, the Abuse team discuss some recent headlines involving Kevin Spacey’s not guilty verdict for sexual abuse allegations, and Andrew Malkinson’s overturned conviction after spending 17 years in prison for rape that he did not commit. Further, the team discuss the historic case of Stefan Kiszko, another wrongful conviction for rape and murder, who also faced prison time for a crime he did not commit.
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Jul 21, 2023
An interview with Yours in Scouting Part 2
This is the second part of the interview with founders of Yours in Scouting, Sheanna Patelmaster and Lucy Pincott. They debate on the effectiveness of mandatory reporting, mass safeguarding training for Scout leaders and provide advice for survivors who are thinking of disclosing their abuse.
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Jul 14, 2023
An interview with Yours In Scouting Part 1
In a first episode of two parts, Alan and Danielle speak with Sheanna Patelmaster and Lucy Pincott founders of Yours In Scouting about the reasons for setting up this website and current campaign following their abuse by scout leaders.
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Jul 6, 2023
The difficulties of sexual abuse disclosure for a child or their parents
In this week's episode of HJ Talks About Abuse, the team discusses The difficulties for the child or parent/guardian in disclosing sexual abuse.
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Jun 29, 2023
Sexual misconduct in the workplace
In this week's episode the abuse team discuss various cases of sexual misconduct in the workplace, after an ex-Director of a law firm was recently struck off the role for sexual harassment in the workplace.
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Jun 8, 2023
‘I’m Tired of This’: campaign to stop sexual abuse of women exercising in public
In this week's episode, the abuse team discuss ‘I’m Tired of This’ - a recent campaign calling for an end to sexual abuse and harassment of women and girls exercising in public across the West Midlands.
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May 26, 2023
US jury finds Donald Trump sexually abused E. Jean Carroll
This week, the abuse team discuss a recent trial, where a New York jury has found against ex- US President Donald Trump and in favour of the plaintiff E. Jean Carroll and awarded her $5m in damages.
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May 18, 2023
Sexual abuse, “nervous shock” and secondary victims
This week the team discuss the topic of secondary victims, and how the law does not see the family of a survivor of child sexual abuse as a victim and so cannot be compensated.
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May 12, 2023
School teacher sentenced to prison for abusing children
This week the Abuse team discuss the recent conviction of Richard Taylor, a primary school teacher from Nottingham.
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May 5, 2023
Father who abused daughter released from jail identifying as a woman
In this week's episode, the abuse team discuss a woman's experience of discovering her father, who sexually abused her, is being released from prison while identifying as a woman.
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Apr 28, 2023
Abused gay men not aware they are victims
In this episode, the abuse team discuss the challenges facing gay and bisexual men who have experienced sexual abuse by their partners, and face barriers to accessing support.
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Apr 21, 2023
Walking to raise money and awareness of New Pathways
In this week's episode, the abuse team discuss their recently completed sponsored walk raising monies for the charity New Pathways.
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Apr 14, 2023
Sexual abuse incidents reported in children hospital units
In this week's episode of HJ Talks About Abuse, the team discuss the disturbing amount of sexual abuse incidents in various children hospital units. Over a thousand incidents have been recorded over 4 years, according to NHS statistics.
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Apr 6, 2023
Vape Shops used to target and groom children
In this week's episode, the abuse team discuss the recent headlines surrounding vape shops being used as gateway to child exploitation.
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Mar 31, 2023
Stephen Bear imprisoned for image-based abuse
In this episode, the team discuss the recent sentencing of Stephen Bear received for his convictions in relation to revenge porn and the recent documentary ‘Georgia v Bear' which aired on ITV.
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Mar 23, 2023
An interview with Roland Angerer from ChildFund
In this episode, Alan talks with Roland Angerer from Child Fund which is a global community of people who care about children, and take action to help them live at their fullest potential at every stage of their lives.
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Mar 17, 2023
Hundreds of sex offenders missing in the UK
In this week's episode, the abuse team discuss the epidemic of missing sex offenders, as hundreds across the UK slipped off the radar of police in a three-year period.
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Mar 10, 2023
Vicar barred from Church of England after failing to disclose husband’s abuse
This week, the abuse team discuss a recent headline in the BBC which discusses a vicar from Solihull who failed to disclose to the Church of England her husband's sexual abuse of children, which led to her being barred from the ministry.
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Mar 3, 2023
FGX v Gaunt: Image-based abuse
This week Danielle Vincent speaks with Justin Levinson, counsel from 1 Crown Office Row on the recently published case of FGX v Gaunt, where the claimant brought a civil claim against her ex-partner, after she discovered he had set up a secret camera in their bathroom and had filmed her without her knowledge.
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Feb 24, 2023
UK Tea Firms face sexual abuse claims in Kenya
In this week’s podcast, the abuse team discuss recent headlines by the BBC, which have revealed cases of sexual abuse on British-owned tea farms in Kenya.
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Feb 17, 2023
A mother’s quest to seek justice for her daughter
This week, the abuse team discuss a mother's quest for justice in India after her daughter was raped by her school teacher who then faked his own death to avoid being prosecuted.
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Feb 10, 2023
Sexual abuse in films to be given stricter ratings
Are scenes involving sexual violence actually necessary to the plot — is it worth triggering viewers and trivializing sexual violence simply for character development? The abuse team discuss in this episode.
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Feb 3, 2023
New findings reveal epidemic of sexual abuse in hospital settings
In this episode, the abuse team discuss the new data by the MET police that reveals the extent of sexual violence in London hospitals. This includes sexual abuse by patients, doctors, nurses and other staff members.
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Jan 27, 2023
Doncaster care homes child abuse scandal
In this week’s podcast the abuse team discuss the Doncaster care homes child abuse scandal, as three care homes are investigated for physical abuse, sexual abuse, violence, neglect and emotional abuse.
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Jan 20, 2023
A conversation with Gaynor McKeown from RASASC
In this week’s podcast the abuse team speak with Gaynor McKeown, CEO of Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre North Wales (RASASC), and discuss their first mobile therapy unit in the UK.
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Jan 13, 2023
The theme of abuse in ’To Kill a Mockingbird’
The abuse team headed out to see London West End’s new play by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Bartlett Sher ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at the Gielgud Theatre based on Harper Lee’s famous and award-winning novel. They discuss the themes of the play.
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Jan 6, 2023
24 Hours in Police Custody
This week 24 Hours in Police Custody episode theme is centred around a missing person's case, which quickly escalated into an alleged 'sexual grooming and multiple abuse' case when the survivor told her story.
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Dec 29, 2022
How technology is putting young people’s online engagements at risk
This is the second of two parts of Alan's interview with Mark Kavanagh, child protection and sexual exploitation researcher. They discuss self-generated sexual content involving children, that can bring up lots of complexities and questions.
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Dec 21, 2022
Stephen Bear’s Conviction: Justice for victim of revenge porn
Stephen Bear was recently found guilty by unanimous verdicts of two counts of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress and voyeurism. The team discuss the case and the lessons that, perhaps, ought to be learnt from it.
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Dec 16, 2022
Child Online Safety training in Southeast Asia
Alan interviews Mark Kavanagh, a child protection and sexual exploitation researcher based in Thailand. They talk about the risks of online child sexual abuse and the development of a training program for parents and young people regarding online safety for South-east Asian countries.
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Dec 9, 2022
Is Balenciaga promoting Child Abuse?
The team discuss the luxury fashion brand Balenciaga that has been in the news this week for a campaign they released involving children that have links to bondage, child abuse and demonic themes.
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Dec 2, 2022
A discussion on Harassment campaigns
The team take a look at Hollyoaks’ recent story line ‘The Long Walk Home’, the Home Office’s ‘Enough’ campaign and Loreal’s recent harassment campaign, which have the issue to the forefront of media attention over the past few weeks.
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Nov 25, 2022
A discussion on ’She Said’
The recent release of the ‘She Said’ movie, that provides an imperative account of Harvey Weinstein abuse has brought significant attention to the subject and has allowed victims the opportunity to speak up about their own stories.
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Nov 18, 2022
Is Snapchat safe for children?
In this week's podcast, the abuse team talk about Snapchat and the problematic nature of the social media platform which has in turn been allowing predators to exploit minors for sexual gratification very easily.
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Nov 11, 2022
An interview with Dana Leslie
In this week’s podcast Alan talks with Dana Leslie, a Dundee graduate who has won an international award for artwork inspired by women's experience of sexism, harassment and gender-based violence.
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Nov 4, 2022
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse report part 2
This is the second part on The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report, published on 20 October 2022. They discuss IICSA recommendations for reform of the Limitation Act 1980, the appointment of a children’s minister, and a redress scheme.
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Oct 28, 2022
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse report
In this week's episode of HJ Talks About Abuse, the team discuss the recent The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report, published on 20 October 2022.
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Oct 21, 2022
The Scottish Redress Scheme
This week the abuse team discuss the Scottish Redress Scheme, a scheme that has just gone live for applicants to claim compensation if they were abused as a child in Scotland before the 1st of December 2004.
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Oct 14, 2022
Clare’s Law
The abuse team discuss Clare’s Law, officially known as The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS). It is named after Clare Wood, a 36-year-old woman who was murdered in 2009, by her ex-partner George Appleton.
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Oct 7, 2022
Gender issues and CSA
In this podcast we discuss CSA and gender after Sussex Police was criticised by the home secretary for "policing pronouns" after it said it would not tolerate hateful comments about a child sex offender's gender identity.
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Sep 30, 2022
The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme
This week Danielle and Kathleen discuss the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme, which was introduced on Monday the 26th of September. Applications are open until 31st December 2023 for victims to apply for compensation.
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Sep 23, 2022
’The Most Hated Man on the Internet’
The team discuss ‘The Most Hated Man on the Internet’, an American Netflix series covering the story of Hunter Moore who began a revenge porn website called ‘Is Anyone Up’, which allowed anyone to anonymously upload nude photos along with personal information.
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Sep 2, 2022
Child abuse within the Mormon church
Alan, Kathleen and Danielle discuss a recent headline in the Associated Press in the US involving sexual abuse in the Mormon Church.
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Aug 26, 2022
Netflix –Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey
An untold story of Warren Jeffs Texas based religious closed community, the expose looked a bigamy, abuse and peadophilia.
Leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He had been head of the church since 2002 and imprisoned in 2011.
The documentary focused on the accounts of those who had left the cult and the impact on their lives.
Warren had 78 wives in which 24 of these were under 17. One of the people featured in the documentary was married to Warren at 14.
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Aug 19, 2022
A discussion on Prima Facie
Discussion of a one woman play starring Jodie Comer who plays a criminal defence barrister who defends accused rapists and finds herself a victim of rape by a male colleague.
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Aug 12, 2022
Calcot Services for children
Danielle and Kathleen discuss the recent BBC investigation into Calcot Services for Children, which revealed reports of abuse including grooming and child sexual abuse.
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Aug 5, 2022
Abuse within Massage Therapy
Danielle and Kathleen discuss the recent headlines regarding abuse in the massage therapy and the increased dangers with home treatments.
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Jul 29, 2022
Owning Survivor-Hood - Ian Ackley, a survivor of abuse in football
Kathleen interviews a hero of hers, Ian Ackley, a survivor of abuse in football and an advocate for other survivors. Disclosed abuse survivor Ian Ackley describes not being believed when he first publicly disclosed his abuse in 1997, and how turned this devastating experience into a lifelong quest to support victims and survivors and raise awareness.
In the decades since his public disclosure, he has worked hard to recover from the trauma and just as hard to keep himself well. He has learned how to recognise himself as a multi-faceted person, who is not just a survivor, but also a father, partner, musician, carpenter and many others. And he has also learned how to respond when other professionals try to diminish his voice by labelling him as just a survivor.
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Jul 22, 2022
The Criminal Bar Association Announce Strike
Kathleen, Danielle and Feleena discuss the recent announcement of strike by the Criminal Bar Association. The abuse team discuss how the strike has come about and what the affect may be for survivors, both positive and negative, not only now but in the future.
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Jul 15, 2022
The Oldham Report
Alan, Danielle and Feleena discuss the Oldham Report which has recently been published. The independent inquiry was set up after allegations circulated that Oldham Council was covering up child sexual exploitation. The report examined the way child sexual exploitation was tackled between 2011 and 2014 by the council and Greater Manchester Police.
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Jul 8, 2022
TfL’s “Intrusive Staring” Poster: Tackling Sexual Harassment
Alan Collins Danielle Vincent and Feleena Grosvenor discuss Transport for London’s (TFL) recent campaign to tackle sexual harassment. TFL have placed posters within tubes with titles of “common” sexual harassment methods with a clear warning that it will not be tolerated.
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Jul 1, 2022
The US Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade
The abuse team discuss the recent decision of the US Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade, which means abortion laws are now governed by the individual state, with some states banning abortion in all instances.
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Jun 17, 2022
An interview with, Ian Ackley a survivor of abuse in football
Kathleen interviews a hero of hers, Ian Ackley, a survivor of abuse in football and an advocate for other survivors. He discusses the value of his lived experiences to help provide support, interventions and a helping hand through the reporting process.
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Jun 10, 2022
Consent to Medical Treatment: “Our Father” Implications
Danielle and Feleena discuss consent to medical treatment and the possible legal recourse to the same. They discuss its relevance to the recent Netflix documentary “Our Father” regarding a fertility specialist in who inseminated dozens of patients with his own sperm, without their knowledge or consent.
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Jun 1, 2022
CPS gives new advice on pre-trial therapy
Danielle and Kathleen share their thoughts on the CPS's new advice on pre-trial therapy, and the fact that therapy notes are now able to be used as evidence in trial. They believe that personal information could be used to discredit the victim by the defence.
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May 27, 2022
An interview with host and Senior Associate Danielle Vincent
An interview with Danielle, a senior associate in the abuse team and a regular contributor to HJ Talks About Abuse. She discusses her career so far, the highs and lows of working in the field and the positive impact of TV dramas on survivors coming forward.
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May 20, 2022
Scotland’s Redress Scheme
Kathleen and Feleena share their thoughts on the Scotland Redress Scheme, which was set up for survivors of historical child abuse in care in Scotland. They also explain the process of submitting an application.
Read the full story here: https://www.hughjames.com/blog/scotlands-redress-scheme-hj-talks-about-abuse
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May 13, 2022
An interview with Partner and host Alan Collins
An interview with Alan, a regular host of HJ Talks About Abuse, and one of the best known and most experienced solicitors in the field of child abuse litigation. He discusses the high profile cases he’s worked on including the Jimmy Savile and Jersey abuse scandals.
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May 6, 2022
Introducing Kathleen Hallisey our new Senior Associate and cohost
Get to know our new senior associate, Kathleen Hallisey in the latest episode of the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast. Feleena and Kathleen discuss Kathleen’s passion for helping vulnerable people to combat institutional abuse, and her big move from the US to practice law in the UK.
Read the full story here: https://www.hughjames.com/blog/introducing-kathleen-hallisey
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Apr 29, 2022
Reflections on the 2022 Hugh James NSPCC abuse conference
A discussion about the recent Hugh James/NSPCC Abuse conference specifically looking at Prof. Michael Salter's talk on issues of consent when victims appear to be 'enjoying' themselves.
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Apr 22, 2022
The Drop in Number of Rape Prosecutions
In this podcast Alan Collins; Feleena Grosvenor and Danielle Vincent discuss the report out of Westminster concerning the drop in rape prosecutions.
The report recommends that in order to reverse the trend Specialist rape investigation teams should be installed in every police force in England and Wales.
Reported rapes are at an all-time high, while prosecutions fell by 70% in the past four years, MPs said.
Further that police investigations should be focussed on suspects as opposed to victims but what could that mean in practice? The Abuse Team point out that the burden of proof is on the prosecution. It has to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt and so it is curious as to how this would play out in practice? There have of course been high profile cases where there have been acquittals following emergence of evidence that discredited the prosecution case.
The Team discuss whether some fundamental issues have yet to be addressed for example consent which is not, perhaps, really…
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Apr 14, 2022
Civil Liability When Abused Outside Of The Home – Abroad And At School
In this episode of HJ Talks about Abuse, Alan Collins and Feleena Grosvenor discuss two very different cases which give rise to civil liability.
Mark Page
Mark Page is a former Radio 1 DJ and stadium announcer.
At the time of the offences, Mr Page worked as a managing director of armed forces radio station Garrison FM. He travelled to the Philippines regularly as part of this role and used it as a cover to meet young children.
Mr Page used webcam to contact victims before travelling to meet them in person in the Philippines.
He was convicted of two counts of abuse by using a webcam linking his home to the Philippines in 2016 and two more of offences while visiting the country in 2016 and 2019.
In this case, Mr Page tried to haggle down the price for a sexual encounter with a 13 year old boy and 12 year old girl from 3,000 pesos, around £44. He stated that the price was too expensive.
This case demonstrates significant pre-meditation and the abuse of a position whereby he could…
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Apr 8, 2022
Does Feeling Physical Pleasure Mean You Consented? An Interview with Professor Michael Salter
Does feeling physical pleasure while being abused equate to implied consent? In this episode, Alan and Prof Michael Salter this often taboo question.
It might be assumed that victim experiences of sexual violence are characterised by fear and pain, and while this is true for many, this is more complex than we like to think. Increasingly, sexuality research is recognising that people can desire and have a positive regard toward sexual encounters that they do not consent or agree to, however there is limited scholarship examining victim experiences of pleasure or arousal during sexual violence.
Alan and Michael discuss :
* How victim arousal or pleasure in the context of non-consensual sexual activity is often conflated with consent by victims, perpetrators and bystanders.
* Victims whose experiences of sexual violence are complicated by pleasurable physical or emotional dimensions can experience significant shame and self-blame, which inhibits disclosure and help-seeking.
* Sex…
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Apr 1, 2022
LOUDfence Campaign - Interview with Antonia Sobocki
In this podcast Alan talks with Antonia Sobocki who is heading the LOUDfence campaign in the UK.
This campaign has had great success in raising awareness of child abuse around the world but somehow missed the UK which Antonia aims to rectify. She explains how it started in Australia and how she is now successfully spreading the campaign throughout the country.
The campaign ties ribbons and messages in public places to raise awareness of child abuse and Antonia tells how a survivor was moved to tears when seeing the tag with her name and age when she was abused that Antonia had tied onto railings for her.
We thought listeners might be interested to hear about the project and may also wish to have their abuse acknowledged in the same way.
We hear how Antonia was motivated to take positive action having experienced in her church disengagement with victims and survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the face of serious allegations, and successful prosecutions of abusers. She talks of he…
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Mar 25, 2022
Online child abuse in Uganda: An interview with Mark Kavenagh from ECPAT
In this podcast Alan Collins discusses with Mark Kavenagh from ECPAT on-line child abuse in Uganda in the wake of new research delivered by ECPAT, INTERPOL, and the UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti, funded through the End Violence Partnership’s Safe Online Initiative, Disrupting Harm in Uganda is an evidence-led report that outlines the harrowing realities of online child sexual exploitation and abuse in Uganda.
Key findings in the Disrupting Harm in Uganda report include:
* Boys and girls were equally likely to experience online child sexual exploitation and abuse. The survey of 1,016 internet-using children found that similar proportions of boys and girls are subjected to differing forms of online child sexual exploitation and abuse, such as grooming or being offered gifts or money in exchange for sexual images or videos.
* 98% of official reports of sexual offences to the Uganda Police Force were made by girls. Only 2% of official reports in defilement cases were made…
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Mar 18, 2022
An Interview with Barrister Justin Levinson
Alan and barrister Justin Levinson of 1 Crown Office Row discuss the recent conviction of ex BBC Radio 1 DJ Mark Page of child sex offences.
Justin has a second to none reputation for representing survivors of childhood sexual in their claims for compensation. He and Alan have worked together on some of the most famous if not infamous cases of recent times including for example that of Jimmy Savile.
Page had been convicted of sexually abusing children in the Philippines. He did so by means of using webcam and, also, by travelling out to the Philippines.
Alan and Justin discuss how UK courts have jurisdiction in such cases where at first blush it might be thought impossible to bring such a case before an English court. They explain how they were able to successfully bring a claim for compensation on behalf of the Filipino victims of Douglas Slade – a British expat, in the High Court in London.
They explain how practical and logistical challenges need to be considered and overcome…
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Mar 11, 2022
Tiktok and Issues of Consent
This week we talk about sexual assault allegations made by Tiktok star Jack Wright against Sienna Mae Gomez.
We are very aware in the generation we are living in, social media influencers are making a living from creating social content such as on tiktok. For some this is a full time career. The two parties in this matter, who are both 18 years old are hugely popular in California with a mass following of already over 23 million followers
The background of these allegations were that the two school friends, began dating and featured in each others tiktok videos. However, rumours of sexual assault carried out by Sienna began to circle in May 2021.
Sienna denied she had sexually assaulted Jack but lost over 500,000 followers almost overnight.
Jack Wright was filmed allegedly unconscious on a sofa with Sienna sitting on his lap kissing him and touching his genitals whilst as stated he is seemingly incapacitated. She has disputed the video authenticity and states this has been heavily…
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Mar 4, 2022
Organised Sexual Abuse of Children
Alan and Professor Michael Salter discuss the organised sexual exploitation of children, specifically looking at how and why the issue is marginalised within society.
The discussion comes in the wake of the recently published report by IICSA: Child Sexual Exploitation by Organised Networks (https://www.iicsa.org.uk/reports-recommendations/publications/investigation/cs-organised-networks) and Prof. Salter’ forthcoming paper The antiepistemology of organised abuse: Ignorance, exploitation, inaction (Salter, M. & Woodlock, D. (2021), British Journal of Criminology).
They discuss organised child abuse, in which multiple adults sexually abuse multiple children, and how in this context research demonstrates how this has an important role to play in the production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) but has been relegated to the margins of criminological concern. Prof. Salter explains how his co-written paper presents the findings of an international survey of 74 adults who described ch…
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Feb 25, 2022
Pope Benedict Admits To Providing False Information To Abuse Inquiry
Former pope Benedict XVI of the Roman Catholic Church has admitted providing false information to the German inquiry into clerical sexual abuse.
The report found Benedict whilst in his role of the Archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1977-1982 failed to take action against four priests accused of sexual abuse.
Benedict stated initially he was not at a meeting in the 1980’s which discussed allegations of abuse and that it was deemed by him as an oversight. An investigation found he was in fact involved in such meeting and was aware of the allegations. This allowed the perpetrators in question to remain in their positions within the church without sanction or supervision.
As Pope between 2005 and 2013, Benedict has previously come under fire for failing to act against widespread child sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic church and has repeatedly denied his role in knowingly covering up abuse, although in 2010 he admitted that the church “did not act quickly or firmly enough t…
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Feb 18, 2022
Prosecution Rates Drop By 45% In Four Years
This week we talk about how child sexual abuse prosecution rates have reportedly fallen 45% in four years.
The figures obtained by the NSPCC indicate prosecutions fell from 6,394 in 2016/2017 to 3,025 in 2020/2021. Convictions in the same period fell from 4,751 to 2,595
Further information obtained through freedom of information requests suggested cases were taking much longer to get to trial with explanations of closing courts, reduced court staff.
However, during the same period there was an increase of 57% in police reports of child sexual abuse. We have discussed before the impact of the pandemic on resources, increased abuse and delays in court procedures.
NSPCC are now calling for Dominic Rabb to review and reserve the decline in prosecutions and convictions. Further they want court delays tackled and more funding for specialist sexual violence advisers to assist children during the process.
NSPCC are seeking funding from the Ministry of Justice Spending Review to tackle the…
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Feb 14, 2022
Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week 2022
Alan and Feleena discuss Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week. It is a UK national week to raise awareness and provides an opportunity for any organisation or individual to engage in dialogue about the subject. For 2022 it takes place from the 7th to 13th of February.
Alan and Feleena take this opportunity to discuss some of the 2022 campaigns.
The NHS
The NHS have announced two key things. First, the NHS have created and launched, on 7 February 2022, two new clinical lead roles which will focus on domestic violence and sexual assault. These roles will work alongside the existing domestic violence support for the NHS and integrated care systems across the country.
The roles and related campaigning will highlight the specialist support offered at dozens of sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) in England who are for survivors of all ages and sexes. SARCs offer confidential support (practical, medical and emotional) to those raped/sexually assaulted/abused regardless of ho…
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Jan 28, 2022
Issues Of Consent And Sexual Assault In The Film - Promising Young Woman
This week we discuss 2020 film called Promising Young Woman.
As an overview, lead character Cassie Thomas is a 30-year-old medical student dropout. Her medical school classmate was raped at the school. As the film plot plays out you learn there was neither an investigation by the school nor consequences from the legal system of the sexual assault report, the friend sadly committed suicide soon after the assault.
Cassie spends her nights feigning drunkenness in clubs and bars, posing as bait for ‘nice guys’. They take her to their homes, push her to take drink or drugs to sexually assault her during which she is pretending to be unconscious or unable to give consent, then she reveals her sobriety and confronts them when they try to take advantage of her.
As the film goes on, Cassie finds out the rape of her friend was filmed and shared among other students who have now gone on to have successful medical careers. Cassie revisits those who were informed of the rape to see if years…
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Jan 21, 2022
Updates on The Prince Andrew and Manchester Footbal Club Aubuse Cases
In this podcast Alan and Dani discuss two prominent stories in the media: Prince Andrew and his case; and the failed case brought by some of Barry Bennell’s victims against Manchester City Football Club.
Prince Andrew failed to have the case brought against him by Virginia Giuffre dismissed on the basis that she was precluded from suing him having entered an agreement with Epstein. The judge dismissed that argument. Alan and Dani discuss the latest developments and the possible paths the case may travel down.
Alan and Dani also discuss the Manchester City judgment and the fact that the judge accepted the victims’ accounts of sexual abuse but had left it too late to sue, and in any event the club would not be liable for Bennell’ crimes.
It was accepted that Bennell had sexually abused the victims, but that the club was not liable. The judge was not prepared to allow the case to proceed out-of-time not so much because of the time gap, but because of the effect of the delay on th…
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Jan 14, 2022
Chris Noth Sexual Assault Allegations
This week we discuss allegations of abuse made by four women against actor Chris Noth.
Many of us will have grown up knowing Nott’s notorious character 'Mr.Big' in the hit show Sex And The City.
Following the release of the long awaited follow up programme 'And Just Like That' in late 2021, an allegation of sexual assault was made against him.
This was quickly followed by 4 other allegations of abuse stemming over a period from the 1990’s until 2015.
There have been allegations of blacklisting those women in the New York community if disclosure was made Nott’s would destroy their careers.
It is important to state at this time, these are allegations, to which no prosecution or charges have been made at the time of writing.
Following the disclosure, Noth has already had endorsements such as Peloton commercial cancelled and has been removed from some of the marketing for And Just Like That.
Noth has released a statement which said “The allegations against me made by people…
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Jan 7, 2022
Non-disclosure Agreements In The Case Against Prince Andrew
Whatever the outcome of the application by Prince Andrew’s lawyers to get the case dismissed on the basis of the Virginia Giuffre’s settlement agreement with Jeffrey Epstein, it brings into question their legal value?
Settlement and non-disclosure agreements are commonplace. Parties in litigation who reach an agreement to resolve their disputes often enter into them, usually with legal advice, to record what has been agreed and frequently to avoid misunderstandings let alone further disputes.
Such agreements intended to be water tight may not always be so. Their validity can be questioned if considered to be contrary to public policy for example if it was considered to be a means to avoid a serious crime from being reported, or if one of the parties entered into it under duress or lacked capacity.
Courts are reluctant to set aside or render void what is a contract or legal agreement entered into by parties, who clearly did so having made an informed decision, and particularly so…
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Dec 31, 2021
2021 Podcast Episodes Review
As we approach the end of 2021, Alan, Danielle, and Feleena from our Abuse Team take a look back at some of the key stories that have featured in the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast series.
Some of the stories remain very topical such as non-consensual deepfake porn and sharing of nude images. Maria Miller MP wants there to be legislation that prohibits the making and sharing of image based “sexual abuse”. Deepfakes are were ordinary photographs of women are taken without their consent and placed on onto pornographic images or videos. Needless to say this is very distressing and damaging for the victims, and legislation designed to combat effectively this form of sexual abuse is long overdue.
This story feeds in to the disturbing reports of children’s images being imposed on sex dolls for commercial sale. This development highlights the reality for child abuse is not a static phenomenon
The coverage of the murder Arthur Labinjo-Hughes is discussed by the team, and they explore th…
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Dec 24, 2021
Conviction of NHS Morgue Rapist David Fuller
We discuss the morgue rapist, David Fuller, and how the NHS will most likely have to foot the cost of his sickening actions.
We all have that one thing in common: one day we are going to die, and when we do, if we can bring ourselves to think about it, would like to think our remains shall be treated with dignity and respect.
The conviction of hospital electrician David Fuller, who admitted to performing sexual acts on corpses in morgues, raises questions about the safekeeping of bodies and human remains. It would be assumed, understandably, that this would be a key concern for the NHS yet Fuller, who had a criminal record (burglary), nevertheless, enjoyed unrestricted access to the hospitals where he worked. His seemingly unchecked ability to denigrate the deceased demonstrates a collective lack of respect by the NHS and, especially so, given it has previously been told to improve safeguarding.
The Lampard report published in 2015 in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal recommended…
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Dec 17, 2021
The Tragic Death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes And Domestic Violence
Domestic abuse and sexual offences should be considered as seriously as knife crime and homicide, the government announced recently as it says that it continues driving forward its plan to end violence against women and girls.
Observers, if not critics, may well say that it has a very long way to go.
The news does not sit easily with the death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.
His stepmother and father of the tortured, poisoned him, and were jailed for murder and manslaughter respectively.
The government has confirmed a review into Arthur's death.
The National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel will lead the investigation and will provide additional support to Solihull Children's Safeguarding Partnership to "upgrade" the existing local review launched shortly after Arthur's death in June 2020.
It emerged during the trial that Arthur had been seen by social workers just two months before he died, but they concluded there were "no safeguarding concerns".
All too often in child homic…
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Dec 10, 2021
Skin on Skin Contact Not Required In Sexual Abuse: Top Indian Court Rules
This week we discuss the decision recently overturned by the Supreme Court of India regarding the need for skin on skin contact for sexual abuse to be established.
Child sexual abuse is a major problem in India with thousands of cases reported each year. Some research suggests that sexual abuse was as high as 53% of children surveyed.
The background of the case in question was that a 12 year old girl was groped over clothing by a 39 year old man who touched her breasts and tried to remove her trouser bottoms.
The Mumbai High Court Judge ruled as there was no skin on skin contact when touching the child’s breasts, the case would fail for sexual assault and would only result in a lesser charge of molestation.
This understandably outraged many people who called for a review of the decision. It was rightly argued at appeal that skin on skin contact should not be necessary for sexual assault to be established.
The decision would have set a dangerous precedent and perhaps discouraged…
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Dec 3, 2021
Sex Abusers Reoffending: What Are The Risks?
This week on the podcast we discuss sex abusers reoffending and whether changes should be made to increase safety for the population.
This follows the news article that double killer and sex offender Colin Pitchfork, 61, has been recalled to prison after only two months after his release. Pitchfork made headline when he was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 1987 following the rape and strangling of two girls in Leicestershire.
Following his release in September 2021, routine checks by probation handlers flagged concerning behaviour and he also failed a polygraph lie detector test.
It is stated Pitchford was subject to strict monitoring and licence conditions such as tagging, exclusion zone and a ban on contact with children on his release.
Pitchfork had been reportedly approaching young girls when out and was recalled to prison. However, he could once again be released in as little as 28 days.
This raises important questions, regarding the success of prison reform, the release bo…
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Nov 26, 2021
Safety On Dating Apps
With social media used by most of us daily, how do we know who we are interacting with?
Shows like Channel 4’s The Circle have shown how you can portray yourself to be someone completely differently. Terms like ‘catfishing’ have become common terms.
But there is a very serious side to the ability to portray yourself to be someone else online.
Dating sites are another form of interaction online. The problem again with this is you are exchanging personal information with a stranger online, you are becoming trusting of such stranger.
There have been many exchanges of stories of turning up to dates with people who aren’t who they say they are. Netflix has just released the film Love Hard when the female turns up to her expected dates house to establish her date is not who he said he was.
The sinister side of this is the lured sense of security is the safety position. With increased reports of date rape drugging incidents, this leaves people open to sexual assault.
A report wa…
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Nov 19, 2021
Assault by Injection and Drink Spiking
Over the last two months there have been multiple reports of assaults in nightclubs with needles. This is alongside increased reports of drink spiking.
In Nottingham, one woman woke up in bed the next day with no memory, another woman woke up in hospital both displaying needle stick injuries. Further reports of paralysis and the concern of wating weeks for test results to confirm they have not been infected with HIV or other potential illnesses/diseases.
As of 23 October 2021, the NPCC had also collected 198 reports of drink spiking, in addition to the 56 reports of incidents involving a needle.
Report by fullfact.org have provided the following alleged assaults:
* Nottinghamshire Police have since said they are investigating 15 separate incidents, reported within less than a month, of young women and men being jabbed with “something sharp”.
* Two men, aged 18 and 19, have been arrested by Nottinghamshire Policeon suspicion of conspiring to administer poison, but not in con…
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