Sunday, January 12, 2014

More than 20 private schools investigated over sexual abuse

Former Caldicott headmaster Roland Peter Wright
was found guilty of indecency with a child last year
More than 20 private schools are involved in child sex abuse investigations after dozens of victims came forward in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Some of the country’s leading institutions, including those attended by Nick Clegg, Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, face accusations of covering up abuse for decades. The allegations include rape.

Lawyers acting for the alleged victims are demanding up to £400,000 in compensation for the years of abuse they suffered.

Those seeking redress include former pupils at Beeston Hall, a £21,000-a-year prep school in Norfolk. Mervyn Rush, 68, who taught science at the school in the 1970s, was jailed for 14 years in August last year after pleading guilty to 18 charges of sexual abuse against ten boys aged between eight and 12.

Victims were emboldened to come forward following the Savile scandal, according to one lawyer.

Jessica Standley, of law firm Slater and Gordon, said: ‘There has been an increase in victims reporting abuse suffered at a variety of institutions, including fee-paying schools. Sadly, in many of these cases those in positions of authority knew of the abuse and failed to take adequate steps to protect innocent children.’  (more...)


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