Man Calls On People In Similar Position To Come Forward

A man who was abused as a child by his teacher is urging survivors of similar problems to speak out and not suffer in silence, as he continues his battle for justice regarding the ordeal.

Antony Wilkinson, 47, initially from the Tenterden area in Kent, but now living in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, was one of three victims who suffered abuse at the hands of Geoffrey Oborn,

The former teacher at Homewood School in Kent was jailed for seven-and-a-half years at the end of 2017. The 79-year-old, from Cranbrook, Kent, was found guilty of indecent assault and gross indecency following a trial.

Following the trial, Antony is now seeking civil justice regarding his ordeal with the help of specialist abuse lawyers at Irwin Mitchell.

As his legal fight continues, he is speaking out to call on others affected by abuse to come forward and get the support they need to come to terms with what they have been through.

Expert Opinion

“Antony has shown immense bravery and courage in recent years to waive his right to anonymity and talk openly about everything he has faced.

“Antony has had to live the effects of what happened to him for many years. We are now helping Antony to access the specialist support he needs to try and put the abuse he had to experience behind him the best he can so he can focus on the future.

“As our efforts continue, he is desperate to reach out and reassure others affected by abuse that they do not need to live in silence.” Tom Fletcher - Partner

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting abuse survivors 

The abuse that Antony suffered left him struggling for years with both depression and suicidal thoughts.

He said: “While nothing will ever change what happened, coming forward and speaking out about my experiences has helped immensely. It was initially scary, but I eventually realised that people would treat my concerns properly and sensitively.

“It really feels like there has been a sea change regarding abuse in recent years, with high-profile cases meaning people can feel a lot more confident in talking about what they have endured, without the fear of not being believed.

“It is so easy to feel alone when you have suffered abuse but I would urge people to recognise that they are anything but. Speaking out is about more than just getting your voice heard, it is about ensuring you can also get the support you need to try and move on with your life.”