Survivor And Legal Experts Urge Survivors Not To Suffer In Silence

A woman sexually assaulted as a child by a Sunday school preacher has revealed her hope for the future after lawyers secured her a settlement. 

The then child was abused over a number of years in the 1970s by John Laister, who was a lay preacher at Thorpe Edge Evangelical Church in Bradford. 

Laister, then aged 72 of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was jailed for 14 years in 2014 for sexually abusing two girls. A judge branded him "a sexual predator of monstrous proportions".

He received a further 11-year prison term in 2019 for further sex attacks, including against the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons. 

The woman only felt confident to report the abuse after reading about Laister’s initial prison sentence. 

Woman abused by Bradford church preacher John Laister asks lawyers for help

After Laister’s second prison term was handed down the woman instructed expert lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help her access the specialist support she requires. 
  
Laister, now in his 80’s, and Thorpe Edge Evangelical Church, have now agreed a combined undisclosed out of court settlement. They did not admit liability.

Tom Fletcher is a specialist lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who supports survivors of abuse.

Expert Opinion

“This is sadly yet another devastating case where a child has suffered abuse at the hands of someone in a position of trust.

“The abuse happened many years ago but the effects remain with my client. While nothing can ever make up for what she’s been through we’re pleased that we’ve been able to secure her this settlement which allow her to access specialist support.

“Thankfully, attitudes to such horrific abuse have changed and are now treated incredibly seriously by the authorities. Therefore, it’s vital that survivors of abuse, no matter how long ago, don’t suffer in silence as help and support is available.” Tom Fletcher

Woman reveals impact of child abuse and urges survivors not to suffer alone

The woman said: “I knew what Laister was doing was wrong and felt violated. However, I also felt that if I told anyone about what happened, they wouldn’t believe me. 

“I tried to compartmentalise what happened and blank it out, but deep down it always remained with me.

“It was only reading decades later that Laister had been jailed for abusing others that I felt confident to come forward. I kept thinking I needed to act to protect others. Reporting what happened to me was nerve wracking, but it was such a relief to be heard and believed after all those years and I wished I’d done it sooner. 

“Although Laister is behind bars where he belongs, I still live with the impact of his abuse. I’ve had life-long problems trusting people and forming relationships. 

“Nothing can change the past, but I just want a brighter future. I hope that by speaking out it will encourage other abuse survivors to come forward and seek help. It is incredibly hard to take that step, but it can make a major difference.” 

Find out more about our expertise in helping survivors of historic and more recent abuse at our dedicated abuse and criminal injury claims section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.