Abuse survivors ‘failed even after years of investigation’

Keith Levell was branded a liar when he first tried to speak out about the horrific sexual abuse he suffered at boarding school as a child.

He remained silent for almost 30 years before finally being able to tell the police.

Despite finally seeing her abusers at a Worcestershire school last year jailed, her latest test is a fight for compensation for the pain she has suffered throughout her life.

Mr Level, now 67 and living in Plymouth, is among thousands of survivors of child sexual abuse in England and Wales who experts say are failing by the government to follow their key recommendations. Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IISCA) Has not been implemented.

Test Made 20 recommendations, including a redress scheme and ending the law obliging victims to pursue legal proceedings until they turn 21, concluding in 2022.

Lawyer Peter Garsden, who is fighting for compensation on behalf of dozens of victims, has written to the Home Office asking why nothing has changed more than two years later.

“It’s not fair, the amount of barriers that have been put in their way – the law was never designed with abuse victims in mind,” she said.

A Home Office spokesperson said it was working on the recommendations and was committed to “taking stronger action to better protect children” and support survivors.

The £200 million inquiry, set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal, took seven years of hearings and heard from thousands of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse over decades.

It was expected that the recommendations would pave the way for victims to make claims and establish a government redress scheme. As in Scotland,

Mr Garsden said on average two-thirds of compensation claims were still rejected nationally.

Mr Level was one of a number of young vulnerable boys who were abused for years after being sent to Berow Wood boarding school in Pendock, Worcestershire.

It was a school for “maladjusted” pupils, but in reality, children sent there by local authorities were coming from difficult home lives into the hands of sadistic teachers and pedophiles.

Mr Garsden, president of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers, said, “Keith’s case and the abuse he suffered is the most horrific series of events I have seen in 30 years of specializing in this type of work.”

Mr Level, who has waived his right to anonymity, saw his abusers Maurice Lambel and Keith Figes He was jailed in October 2023 for the serial attacks on him and eight other students.

His ordeal began when he joined Barrow Wood in 1968 at the age of 10 and continued until his departure in 1973 on his 16th birthday.

“It was a house of horrors,” Mr Level told the BBC as he visited his former school for the first time since leaving.

Mr Level said the jailing of his attackers had brought some closure to the case.

He said, “I would just like someone to apologize to me. Now that they know I’m not a liar.”

But trying to get some compensation for a lifetime of suffering is his latest nightmare.

The statute of limitations on actions, which states that if the abuse occurred before the victim turned 18, he or she must begin legal proceedings by the 21st, means most claimants like Mr Level fall at the first hurdle. .

It takes many survivors decades, if not years, to explain what happened to them.

Consultation on lifting action limits ended in July But the changes have not been implemented yet.

Mr Garsden said he and Mr Level had attempted to claim Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA),

However, in many cases, police have to file claims within two years of reporting crimes, although some investigations take years to complete.

“Victims of abuse don’t get justice because they’ve waited too long to get anything done,” she said.

“He has been punished twice.”

former home secretary Suella Braverman announces a remediation plan in May 2023There would be no time limit to be established, but it was added that this “cannot happen overnight”.

A redress plan will also help compensate abuse victims when a school’s insurers cannot be located – or if they are able to claim they are not liable.

Insurers of the Bryn Allin children’s home in Wrexham, which claimed that at least 19 pupils were abused by owner John Allin, claimed they were not liable because the school policy did not cover criminal acts.

Because allen He was in charge of the company that ran the school, the insurance did not cover his misbehavior because he did not disclose it.

The first six victims were honored In 2001 they were awarded £200,000 in damages, but the money was not recovered as Allen’s company was wound up.

Tony, who does not give his real name, gave evidence against Alan during his trial and also spoke about his abuse IICSA under investigation.

He managed to obtain £16,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, but only after it was initially rejected.

He expressed hope that the IICSA investigation would be another way for survivors to seek justice, making it easier for survivors to receive compensation and recognition.

“Many survivors were expecting a lot from IICSA – not a miracle, but a way forward,” Tony said.

“nothing has happened.”

No payments have also been made by insurers to former pupils of Wessington Court in Hereford, whose headmaster is Brian Eagles. Jailed for 12 years To abuse the boys.

In 2004, 14 former pupils tried to claim compensation, but the company running the school had gone into liquidation several years earlier.

When Mr. Garsden finally found the school’s insurers, The claim failed.

It was not possible to establish that the insurers were appointed before 1973 and the policy did not cover misconduct by the school owner because, it was said, the owner should have disclosed his misconduct at each annual renewal. .

This is why Mr Garsden wants to recommend mandatory reporting, which would mean that anyone working in a position of trust would be legally required to report any form of abuse that occurs against children in their organisation. .

If the IICSA recommendations are implemented, Wessington Court students may be able to make a fresh claim.

Another recommendation the government has made is to create a child protection agency, which would be an independent body to enforce good practice and drive reform.

In a statement, the Home Office said it was “committed to taking stronger action to better protect children from child sexual exploitation, learning from past failures and ensuring appropriate care and support to victims and survivors”.

It says Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has met with Professor Alexis Jay, who chaired the IICSA investigation, as well as survivors and child protection experts to take things forward.

“We are working to ensure that all sectors, including front-line professionals, industry, civil society and police, law enforcement and international partners, are redoubling their efforts to protect children and combat this terrible crime. Give.”

If you are affected by this story BBC Action Line web page It lists organizations ready to provide help and advice.