This episode of the H.J Talks About Abuse podcast delves into the newly established redress scheme by the Church of England, aimed at providing compensation, therapy, and support for survivors and victims of church-related abuse. Alan Collins, the head of the abuse team, explores the intricacies of the scheme, its legislative journey, and the critical role of legal advice in ensuring fair compensation. Gain insights into how this redress scheme compares to litigation and the importance of empowe...
Aug 01, 2025•13 min•Ep. 308
Welcome to another episode of H.J. Talks About Abuse, where we delve into the delicate topic of sexual abuse cases. In this episode, we explore the significant role that non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) play in sexual harassment allegations, sparked by a recent documentary on American Acro. Our discussion highlights the influence of NDAs, potential breaches of public policy, and the power dynamics at play in legal and workplace environments. Tune in to gain insights into how these mechanisms imp...
Jul 11, 2025•10 min•Ep. 306
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast. In this episode, Alan Collins, head of the abuse team at Hugh James, delves into the growing issue of online child grooming and exploitation. Responding to a concerning newspaper report, the discussion highlights the alarming numbers of children being coerced online, the role of criminal enterprises, and the ongoing struggle of law enforcement to combat these crimes. Alan emphasizes society's shared responsibility in addressing these challenges, enc...
Jul 04, 2025•12 min•Ep. 305
Welcome to this episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we delve into the impactful amendment to the Limitation Act 1980 as announced by the UK government. Join Alan Collins, the head of the abuse team, as we explore how these changes will revolutionize legal procedures concerning child sexual abuse cases in England and Wales. Learn about the key recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and discover how the removal of the three-year limitation period aims...
Jun 27, 2025•14 min•Ep. 304
In this episode of H.J. Talks About Abuse, host Alan Collins delves into the government's recent announcement of a national inquiry into grooming gangs. He explores the key issues surrounding these organized exploitation networks, focusing on the vulnerability of victims and the complex societal and ethnic dimensions involved. Collins also discusses past inquiries, such as the Rotherham Report and the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, to highlight ongoing challenges and the necessity ...
Jun 20, 2025•14 min•Ep. 303
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, a space dedicated to discussions on sexual abuse cases, with a focus on helping listeners engage in dialogues often avoided. In this episode, host Alan Collins and colleague Danielle Vincent explore a distressing case of sexual assault by a nurse in a hospital setting. This alarming incident serves as a basis to examine the broader issues in care environments, the vulnerability of patients, and the legal complexities involved in such cases. The disc...
Jun 13, 2025•11 min•Ep. 302
In this milestone 300th episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, Alan Collins, and his colleague, Danielle Vincent, and original podcast mastermind, Sam Barker, reflect on the podcast's journey and milestones. They delve into early technical challenges and the evolution of technology that has facilitated global communication and adaptability in legal discussions during the pandemic. The episode highlights a significant discussion surrounding child migrant cases, illustrating the podcast's ...
May 30, 2025•12 min•Ep. 300
In this episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, Alan Collins from the abuse team at Hugh James delves into the recent governmental decision against implementing a national redress scheme for survivors of child abuse, as recommended by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). Collins outlines the challenges survivors face when seeking compensation through legal proceedings and discusses alternative models like the Australian redress scheme. He emphasizes the importance of h...
May 23, 2025•11 min•Ep. 301
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where legal experts from Hugh James delve into the challenging topics surrounding sexual abuse. In this episode, Alan Collins, a partner at Hugh James, discusses the ongoing witness appeal for the case of a former teacher, Alan Johnson, who was recently convicted of rape and indecent assaults that occurred decades ago. The episode highlights the importance of victims and witnesses coming forward, not only to piece together the full story but also to...
May 09, 2025•10 min•Ep. 299
Welcome to this episode of HJ Talks About Abuse, hosted by Danielle Vincent and Hannah Hodgson. In this episode, we delve into the alarming issue of drink spiking. Join us as we explore the broader implications of drink spiking and its impact on both travellers and locals. We discuss the growing concerns and challenges in detecting drink spiking, highlighting the importance of being vigilant about one's surroundings, whether at home or abroad, as well as the innovative measures and safety precau...
Apr 25, 2025•10 min•Ep. 298
In this episode of "H.J. Talks About Abuse," Alan Collins from the abuse team at Hugh James discusses recent updates on the topical issue of grooming gangs and the calls for inquiries into their activities. He explores the vulnerabilities of young victims, the failings of authorities, and the political complexities surrounding these cases. With ongoing scandals and criticism over the actions of local and national politicians, Alan emphasizes the urgent need for a national inquiry to understand t...
Apr 17, 2025•11 min•Ep. 297
Welcome to another episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we delve into the pressing issues surrounding sexual abuse cases. In this episode, we focus on the compelling BBC documentary "Rape on Trial" hosted by Stacey Dooley. The series sheds light on the harrowing experiences of four young women navigating the UK court system after reporting rape by someone they know. Through their stories, we explore the legal and personal challenges faced by survivors, the alarming statistics on ...
Apr 11, 2025•16 min•Ep. 296
Welcome to this episode of the H.J Talks About Abuse podcast, where the Hugh James abuse team delves into the recent Harrods Compensation Scheme. This initiative responds to past allegations of sexual abuse under the late Mohammed Fayed's tenure at Harrods. Join host Alan Collins and his colleagues Hannah Hodgson and Danielle Vincent as they discuss the scheme's framework, benefits, and application process. Learn about the eligibility criteria, potential compensation, and the importance of seeki...
Apr 04, 2025•16 min•Ep. 295
Welcome to this episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we delve into the harrowing findings about domestic abuse related deaths in England and Wales. Join Danielle and Hannah as they discuss the shocking report revealing 262 deaths over the past year, emphasizing the often overlooked connection between domestic violence and suicide. The hosts shed light on how multi-agency collaboration can be improved to prevent such tragedies. Learn about the crucial insights shared by Jess Phill...
Mar 27, 2025•11 min•Ep. 294
In this episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, Alan Collins and Hannah Hodson delve into the distressing news of Safeline, the only helpline dedicated to male survivors of abuse in England and Wales, facing imminent closure. The podcast highlights the critical role Safeline played in providing support and understanding to over 2,000 men and boys, amidst the stigma surrounding male vulnerability and abuse. The episode raises awareness of the funding crisis affecting survivor support organ...
Mar 21, 2025•10 min•Ep. 293
In this eye-opening episode, the abuse team at Hugh James delves into the hidden issues surrounding Cheltenham Race Week, highlighting the safety concerns faced by women during this festive yet problematic time. Alan Collins and his colleagues, Hannah and Danny, discuss alarmingly high statistics of women feeling unsafe, the increase in violence, and the controversial appearance of temporary entertainment venues. Bringing attention to local efforts like bystander training and the increased polic...
Mar 14, 2025•15 min•Ep. 292
Welcome to this episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, presented by the abuse team at Hugh James. Join Alan Collins and Hannah Hodson as they delve into the ongoing fight against deepfake pornography, led by former Love Island star Georgia Harrison. Harrison's journey began with her ex-partner's conviction for voyeurism and has since evolved into a powerful campaign against the exploitation of individuals through AI-generated explicit content without consent. In this episode, the hosts d...
Feb 28, 2025•10 min•Ep. 291
In this thought-provoking episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, Alan Collins, the head of the abuse team at Hugh James, delves into the intricacies of the proposed reforms to the limitation law in England and Wales. As the government sets its sights on implementing the recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (ICSA), this solo episode explores the potential impact on survivors of sexual abuse and their journey to justice. Discover how the removal of the limit...
Feb 21, 2025•19 min•Ep. 290
Join the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast as hosts Alan Collins and Daniel Vincent delve into the controversial topic of indecent exposure, triggered by a headline-making moment at the recent Grammy Awards. The episode discusses the legal and societal implications of a daring fashion choice by Bianca, Kanye West's wife, that blurred the lines between bold statements and potential legal boundaries. The hosts explore various scenarios and legal aspects related to indecent exposure, from high-profile...
Feb 14, 2025•15 min•Ep. 289
In this episode of the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast, hosts Danielle Vincent and Hannah delve into a British Transport Police report from 2024, highlighting a 50% increase in violence against women and girls on public transport in London. They discuss the alarming statistics, with reported crimes rising from under 8,000 in 2021 to nearly 12,000 in 2023. The conversation explores public awareness, the potential for increased reporting due to better accessibility, and the significance of bystander ...
Feb 07, 2025•8 min•Ep. 288
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, presented by the abuse team at Hugh James. In this episode, Senior Associate Danielle Vincent and Hannah Hodgson discuss the Scottish Redress Scheme, introduced in December 2021, which provides compensation for individuals who experienced abuse before December 2004 in various care settings across Scotland. The scheme covers physical, sexual, emotional abuse, or neglect and compensates survivors with up to £100,000, with provisions for next of kin cl...
Jan 31, 2025•9 min•Ep. 287
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, presented by the Hugh James abuse team. In this episode, led by Alan Collins, the head of the abuse team, we delve into the pressing issue of grooming gangs. Despite criticisms of the term, the episode confronts the harsh realities of young girls being targeted by predators and the criminal activities often accompanying these abuses. Alan highlights the often-overlooked correlation between grooming and broader criminal networks, such as county lines...
Jan 24, 2025•11 min•Ep. 286
Welcome to the latest edition of Hugh James' podcast, where Alan Collins discusses the controversial decision regarding the lack of a public inquiry into the grooming scandal centered on Oldham. Join us as we delve into the complexities of safeguarding failures, victim blaming, and the systemic issues that have left many vulnerable young people unprotected. This episode explores the need for accountability and leadership in addressing these tragic events, as well as the broader societal implicat...
Jan 17, 2025•11 min•Ep. 285
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where difficult yet important conversations about sexual abuse cases take place. Hosted by Alan Collins from the Hugh James abuse team, this episode highlights the official opening of "The Place to Remember" in St. Helier, Jersey. This memorial, a recommendation from Francis Oldham's panel, stands as a testament to those who faced hardships while in care. Alan is joined by Darren from the Survivor Network, as they explore the significance of this ne...
Jan 10, 2025•6 min•Ep. 284
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we delve into the complex topics of sexual abuse cases, with a focus on both legal aspects and broader issues faced by survivors. In this episode, Alan Collins from Hugh James discusses the significance of a new memorial in Jersey, known as 'A Place to Remember,' which stems from the recommendations of the Jersey Care Inquiry. This episode examines the historical context of the Jersey child abuse scandal, the ensuing media coverage, and the su...
Jan 09, 2025•7 min•Ep. 283
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we delve into the crucial discussions often ignored for too long. In this episode, we examine a significant legal case in Scotland involving Luke Ford, an actor convicted of serious sexual offences, including the first stealthing prosecution. We explore the profound impacts of these offenses on victims and the intricate legal discussions surrounding informed consent. Our legal experts offer insight into the challenges of prosecuting such cases...
Dec 20, 2024•11 min•Ep. 282
In this episode of H.J. Talks About Abuse, Alan Collins, head of the abuse team at Hugh James, delves into the distressing case of Zahra Sharif. The discussion centers on the systemic failures that led to the tragic death of this young girl, examining the role of child protection services and the need for mandatory reporting laws. Alan reflects on past notorious cases, questioning why lessons remain unlearned. This episode aims to empower survivors by fostering open discussions about abuse and a...
Dec 13, 2024•18 min•Ep. 281
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where Alan Collins and Danielle Vincent discuss a high-profile legal case involving Irish martial arts fighter, Conor McGregor. The case revolves around McGregor being ordered to pay damages to Nikita Hand, who sued him for a violent sexual assault. The podcast delves into the broader implications of this civil court victory, especially in light of failed criminal proceedings. They highlight the courage of survivors who come forward in the face of m...
Dec 06, 2024•14 min•Ep. 280
In this episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, Alan Collins and Danielle Vincent explore the legal intricacies surrounding cases of historical child sexual abuse, focusing on the concept of permanent stays of litigation. They delve into the challenges faced by survivors seeking justice, particularly when the alleged abuser is deceased. The episode examines a landmark Australian case, RC versus Salvation Army, shedding light on potential implications for similar legal scenarios in the UK....
Nov 29, 2024•18 min•Ep. 279
In this episode of H.J. Talks About Abuse, Alan Collins, head of the abuse team at Hugh James, discusses the critical topic of mandatory reporting in child abuse cases. Drawing from the John Smyth case and recent events including the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Alan explores the urgent need for legal reforms in the UK to ensure such cases are reported to the authorities in a timely manner. The discussion highlights the shortcomings in the current legal framework, advocating for ...
Nov 22, 2024•12 min•Ep. 278
