Reports Reveal Allegations Related To Prestigious Institutions
A number of private schools across England are currently involved in investigations related to allegations of sexual abuse, according to reports.
More than 20 private schools are believed to be linked to fresh allegations of abuse across several decades, as well as accusations that such activity has been covered up, with the recent Jimmy Savile scandal making victims feel more comfortable with coming forward about physical and sexual abuse.
Among the schools identified in reports including in the Sunday Times are Ashdown House in East Sussex and Caldicott in Buckinghamshire. The newspaper added that two schools in Lancashire and two in Oxfordshire are the subject of criminal inquiries into claims of historic sex abuse.
Several cases related to former pupils at the Chorister School in Durham were also settled recently.
These and other schools identified are known to be placed where a number of famous names in politics and other areas were educated.
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Expert Opinion
The reports seen across the weekend are very worrying and reflect what we have seen in our own work acting for a number of victims who are still affected by physical and sexual abuse they suffered at private schools, often several decades ago. <br/> <br/>"It is undeniable that the scandal related to Jimmy Savile and the subsequent fallout has put the issue of tackling abuse in the spotlight like never before, leading to a change in the mindset of survivors of abuse who now feel more confident than ever before that their concerns will be listened to. <br/> <br/>"While the key issue is to ensure that those affected by abuse are given full support to help them in some small part come to terms with what they have experienced, attention should then turn to thoroughly investigating each and every allegation. <br/> <br/>"The ultimate priority must be to ensure lessons are learned from the mistakes in the past, to absolutely ensure that children are properly safeguarded." Tracey Storey - Partner