Legal Experts Call For Victim Support To Be A Priority

Specialist lawyers have urged that providing support to survivors must be the priority after former Surrey music teacher John Clark was found guilty of a number of sexual offences relating to his time at Aldro School in Shackleford.

The former teacher, 79, was found guilty of 25 sexual offences committed against four pupils between 1975 and 1981 during a hearing in Guildford Crown Court on Thursday (October 29th).

According to Get Surrey, the first complaint was made against the teacher in 2002 and Clark was interviewed at the time. He was then arrested in 2013 following statements from three other victims.

Clark is expected to be sentenced shortly.

Specialist abuse lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have vast experience in providing support to those affected by abuse and neglect, helping them to gain answers and vital support to help them try to overcome the harrowing ordeals they have faced.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of child abuse, our expert child abuse lawyers will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim. Call 0370 150 100 to talk confidentially to someone about making a claim or visit our Abuse & Criminal Injury Claims page for more information.

Expert Opinion

“This is another shocking case and a reminder that, while cases involving high-profile individuals in recent years put a spotlight on the issue of abuse, so many instances relate to those in positions of power abusing the positions they hold. <br/> <br/>“Following this verdict, it is vital that victims of Clark are given the support they need to begin the difficult process of attempting to come to terms with what they have been through, in the hope that they can move on with their lives. <br/> <br/>“It can often be incredibly difficult for victims of abuse to speak out, so the courage of those affected in these cases has to be commended. We would urge anyone else affected by similar problems to not suffer in silence.”