How do you prove sexual abuse? A very interesting question which I will try and answer from the perspective of a solicitor acting for a victim.

First of all is the victim prepared to give a full account of what happened? If not then it is going to be difficult to prove the abuse. Victims understandably are often reluctant to discuss the horror of the abuse that they suffered, and so what I try to do is to get them explain in their own time and in their own way what happened.

If the victim has already given a statement to the police we might just need to obtain a copy.

We need to know what happened to the victim so that we can advise as to whether they have a case and how it to be pursued.

Assuming that the victim is gives an account we need to evalaute their chances of success in pursuing a claim. We need to see if there is any supporting evidence, for example, witnesses or other victims.

Are there any criminal convictions which are excellent pieces of evidence?

So we are looking at being in a position of being able to prove what the victims says. The stronger the case the better the chances of success.

The victim’s evidence alone may be enough, but in deciding whether this is the case we are looking at that chance of success.

Alan Collins

I have taken part in a number of radio interviews which will be syndicated throught out Australia in advance of my arrival there next month when I will be talking to victims and witnesses.

If you would like to speak with me please get in touch.

My telephone number is 023 92 492472

e-mail: alc@dyerburdett.com

Alan Collins

To stand a chance of winning a sexual abuse case make sure that you instruct a solicitor who specialises in this type of case, because it is a very specialised area of work.

You need a specialist solicitor who will know how to guide you through the legal obstacles that are often in the way of victims trying to obtain compensation.

By all means come to us at Dyer Burdett & Co. We represent victims bringing claims who are scattered all round the world. But if you do n’t want to come to us then a good place to try and find a solicitor is be contacting ACAL (association of Child Abuse Lawyers) or APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) who maintain lists of lawyers who specialise in this area of work. We are members of both organisations.

I am investigating allegations of sexual abuse at St. Anthony’s Prepartory School which was owned and run by the Order of Friars Minor.

The allegations go back to the 1960’s, with the abuse primarily being committed in dormitories.

I have settled two claims, and am now working on a third, and so if you have information please contact me.

Alan Collins

02392492472

I am investigating allegations of sexual abuse committed at Romsey Abbey in the 1980’s, and if you have any information please contact me (in confidence).

Alan Collins

02392492472

The Pope has apologised for the abuse committed by catholic clergy. This is to be welcome, but will his words equate to action?

I can only speak from my experience acting for abuse victims seeking redress from the Catholic church, and so far they have faced an uphill struggle. I have not found a willingness to say “sorry” to victims, or an acceptance that compensation should be paid.

Alan Collins

Contrary to the “apology” every trick in the book seems to be deployed to avoid accepting responsibility for the abuse committed, and so I wait with interest to see if this tiger has changed its spots.

I am investigating on behalf of my clients the Haut de la Garenne abuse claims.

I have clients who say that they were abused there, and will be trying to obtain compensation for them on their behalf. As part of the process I am trying to understand how the home functioned, who worked there, who supervised and managed, and this will, hopefully, enable me to understand how the abuse could possibly have happened.

If you are willing to talk to me, in confidence if you wish, then I would be pleased to hear from you.

My ‘phone number is (023) 92 492472 to speak to us as the Jersey abuse lawyers.

I have spoken to a number of former residents who are now living in Australia, who I propose to see. If there is anyone else in Australia that would like to see me in order to discuss the case, which would be in confidence, I would like to hear from them.

Alan Collins

I have linked-up with Jersey advocate Mark Temple of Ozannes to provide legal advice and assistance to those abuse victims who need it.

Abuse victims need to understand what their legal rights are.

Victims who wait too long before claiming compensation are sometimes barred from doing so. This could be very unjust, and so the risk of this occuring needs to be minimised. Get legal advice, and we would be pleased to talk to you.

I am acting for a victim who went on “holiday” to Haut de la Garenne in August 1974. She was abused she alleges by a man and a women who she believes were members of staff. Did you spend any time there in the summer of 1974? If so would you please contact me? I can confirm that I will talk to you in confidence if that helps.

Alan Collins

Tel.: 023 92492472