In this episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, Alan Collins, head of the Hugh James abuse team, delves into the harrowing findings of the Keith Makin report. The report reveals the Church of England's longstanding cover-up of the abusive actions of the late John Smyth QC, a prominent lawyer and part-time judge. John Smyth, who was heavily involved in evangelical Christianity, is accused of physically, sexually, emotionally, and spiritually abusing numerous boys and young men in England a...
Nov 15, 2024•17 min•Ep. 277
In this gripping episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, Alan Collins, head of the abuse team at Hugh James, delves into the harrowing case of 20 men convicted of sexually exploiting young girls in West Yorkshire. While the details of the crimes are distressing, the focus is on the significant courage shown by the survivors who came forward, leading to these convictions. Alan highlights the systemic failures that allowed such exploitation to occur, emphasising the vulnerability of the vic...
Nov 07, 2024•13 min•Ep. 276
In this gripping episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, host Alan Collins delves into the disturbing allegations surrounding the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as reported by Channel 4 News. The episode sheds light on claims that a prominent church member, the late Donald Kelly, was involved in the sexual abuse of young boys over several decades. Alan discusses the church's alleged failure to act on repeated warnings about Kelly's abusive behavior, and the subsequent investigation commiss...
Nov 01, 2024•13 min•Ep. 275
In this week's podcast, Alan Collins, head of the abuse team at Hugh James, explores an insightful article from the Law Society Gazette on the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse. Published in the Gazette, a key trade publication for the legal profession, the article sheds light on the inquiry's origins, challenges, and its significant findings. Alan discusses the history of the inquiry, initiated by Theresa May a decade ago, and its journey through several leadership changes before reac...
Oct 29, 2024•16 min•Ep. 274
In this compelling episode of H.J. Talks About Abuse, Kathleen Hallisey and Hannah Hodgson delve into the infamous Menendez brothers case, shedding light on a tragic story that intertwines wealth, power, and horrific abuse. While the brothers are notorious for the brutal murder of their parents, this discussion uncovers the underlying narrative of alleged sexual abuse that shaped their lives and legal battles. As new evidence emerges, including testimonies that could alter the course of their co...
Oct 18, 2024•19 min•Ep. 273
In this episode of the "H.J. Talks About Abuse" podcast, hosts Alan Collins and Danielle Vincent delve into the controversial legacy of the late Mohammed Al-Fayed. Known for his association with Harrods and other high-profile ventures, Al-Fayed has recently become the subject of serious allegations of sexual abuse. Alan and Danielle explore the media attention surrounding these claims, discussing their involvement in pursuing legal cases against Al-Fayed's estate and Harrods. They highlight the ...
Oct 11, 2024•17 min•Ep. 272
In this episode of the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast, hosts Danielle and Hannah delve into the crucial topic of the Northern Ireland Redress Scheme, which is set to close on April 2, 2025. They discuss the scheme's significance, covering cases from 1922 to 1995, and emphasise the importance of applying before the deadline. The hosts explore the nuances of the scheme, including eligibility criteria and the range of compensation available, which spans from £10,000 to £80,000. They highlight the sch...
Oct 04, 2024•8 min•Ep. 271
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we discuss sexual abuse cases to encourage open dialogue on these often ignored topics. Brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James, we explore both the legal aspects and broader issues faced by survivors. In this episode, Alan Collins, head of the abuse team, and colleague Dani Vincent delve into the sensitive issue of sexual abuse in mental health settings, such as hospitals. They discuss the ongoing Lampard Inquiry, which investigates pa...
Sep 27, 2024•10 min•Ep. 270
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we delve into sexual abuse cases, aiming to foster open discussions on these often-ignored topics. Brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James, we offer insights into both the legal aspects and broader issues faced by survivors of sexual abuse. In this episode, Alan Collins, the head of the abuse team at Hugh James, discusses the troubling allegations against the late Mohammed Al-Fayed. Known for his ownership of Harrods and his omnipresenc...
Sep 24, 2024•11 min•Ep. 269
In a recent episode of HJ Talks About Abuse, Kathleen Hallisey and Hannah Hodgson delved into the serious allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods. The discussion was timely, coinciding with news reports and a BBC documentary shedding light on the accusations of rape and sexual assault by Al Fayed against over 20 female ex-employees of Harrods. Key points from the discussion include: Allegations: The allegations against Al Fayed are grave, involving more than 20 female e...
Sep 20, 2024•8 min•Ep. 268
Welcome to this episode of the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we delve into the pressing issue of sextortion, a form of online blackmail that has become a global crisis. Hosted by Danielle Vincent and her colleague Hannah Hodgson, this episode sheds light on recent cases and the devastating impact on victims. We discuss the alarming rise of sextortion cases, including a man posing as a YouTube star and a UK-targeting gang known as the Yahoo Boys. Learn about the tactics used by these crim...
Sep 13, 2024•11 min•Ep. 267
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we delve into sexual abuse cases to foster open discussions on often ignored topics. Hosted by Alan Collins, head of the abuse team at Hugh James, this episode features Danielle Vincent and Hannah Hodgson. This episode explores a recent news story about the Church of England's financial settlement with Canon Andrew Hindley following unproven sexual assault allegations. Despite multiple risk assessments deeming Hindley a potential threat, no cr...
Sep 06, 2024•12 min•Ep. 266
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, hosted by Alan Collins and Kathleen Hallisey from the Hugh James abuse team. In this episode, we delve into the complex issue of abuse of power, particularly in the context of sexual abuse and harassment cases. The discussion is sparked by recent media reports involving high-profile individuals and explores the impact of power imbalances on consent and workplace dynamics. We examine the legal definitions and implications of sexual harassment, refere...
Aug 30, 2024•14 min•Ep. 265
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we discuss sexual abuse cases to encourage open conversations on topics often ignored. Brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James, we aim to empower survivors with our discussions. In this episode, Alan Collins, head of the abuse team at Hugh James, is joined by Justin Humphreys, CEO and Head of Safeguarding Development at Thirtyone:eight . They delve into a recent BBC news story concerning safeguarding issues within the Church of England,...
Aug 22, 2024•24 min•Ep. 264
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, presented by the abuse team at Hugh James. In this episode, Alan Collins and Danielle Vincent delve into the sensitive and complex topic of sharing intimate images. They explore the legal and emotional ramifications of sharing indecent photos, with or without consent, and how such actions can have far-reaching consequences. The discussion highlights the normalisation of this behaviour among young people, often exacerbated by media portrayals and pee...
Aug 16, 2024•16 min•Ep. 262
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, where we discuss sexual abuse cases to encourage open conversations on topics often overlooked. Brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James, we focus on the legal aspects of abuse cases while also addressing the broader issues faced by survivors. In this episode, Alan Collins and Danielle Vincent delve into the distressing topic of abuse in positions of trust. They explore how individuals in roles such as teachers, scout leaders, and coaches can ...
Aug 09, 2024•20 min•Ep. 261
In this episode, Kathleen Hallisey and Hannah Hodgson from the Abuse Team discuss a recent Sky News article and a BBC series addressing the pressing issues of online grooming and sexual abuse. How the sending of one photo led an 11-year-old girl to become a victim of physical sex abuse | UK News | Sky News The conversation centers around the alarming story of an 11-year-old girl who became a victim of online grooming, leading to physical abuse. The discussion extends to the broader implications ...
Jul 26, 2024•18 min•Ep. 260
Join Kathleen Hallisey, Senior Associate, and her colleague Danielle Vincent as they delve into the pressing issue of sexual abuse and misconduct on university campuses. Inspired by a suggestion from summer placement intern Tia, Kathleen and Danielle discuss the alarming prevalence of staff-to-student sexual abuse, highlighting testimonies from universities like Exeter, Oxford, and Cambridge. They examine the power imbalances, the portrayal of such relationships in media, and the significant imp...
Jul 19, 2024•16 min•Ep. 259
This episode, brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James, delves into the alarming reports of sexual abuse faced by mental health patients in UK hospitals. Hosts Alan Collins and Kathleen Hallisey explore recent media coverage revealing that up to 20,000 incidents of sexual abuse have been reported in NHS mental health trusts over the past five years. They discuss the vulnerabilities of inpatients, the role of hospital staff, and the complexities of addressing these disturbing allegations. T...
Jul 12, 2024•21 min•Ep. 258
In this episode, Danielle and Hannah discuss a recent media-highlighted case where a woman sued her therapist for sexual assault and was awarded over £200,000 in damages by the High Court. Despite the lack of a criminal conviction, this case underscores the possibility of pursuing civil claims for justice. The survivor's journey, spanning over eight years, is a testament to resilience and the importance of seeking justice beyond the criminal courts. This episode sheds light on the different stan...
Jul 05, 2024•8 min•Ep. 257
In this episode, Alan Collins, the head of the abuse team, explores the UK Conservative government's proposals to make it easier for child sex abuse victims to bring civil claims. These proposals are designed to reduce the trauma survivors face during legal proceedings. The episode delves into the intricacies of the Limitation Act 1980, which currently requires claims to be made within three years of a victim turning 18. Alan discusses the challenges posed by this limitation, especially for surv...
Jun 28, 2024•35 min•Ep. 256
In this episode, Alan dives into the manifestos of the Labour Party, the Conservative Party, and the Liberal Democrats to examine what they have to say about child abuse and related issues. Alan provides a non-partisan analysis, focusing on key topics such as mandatory reporting laws, justice for victims, and proposed redress schemes. Alan discusses the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (ICSA) recommendations and how each party addresses—or fails to address—them. He highlights the impo...
Jun 20, 2024•25 min•Ep. 255
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, the podcast where we talk about sexual abuse cases in the hope that it will assist listeners in openly discussing topics which have been ignored for too long. This podcast is brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James. We are lawyers, so we tend to speak about the legal aspects of abuse cases, but we aren't too shy to speak up about the broader issues faced by survivors of sexual abuse, too. We hope that you find it interesting, but more than th...
Jun 11, 2024•23 min•Ep. 254
Welcome to the H.J. Talks About Abuse podcast, brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James. In this week's episode, Alan Collins and his colleagues Kathleen Hallisey, Danielle Vincent, and Hannah Hodgson discuss the distressing case of Rebecca Joynes, a female schoolteacher recently convicted of sexual offences against two 15-year-old schoolboys. Join us as we delve into the details of the case, exploring the legal and broader issues faced by survivors of sexual abuse. Hannah provides a backg...
Jun 04, 2024•13 min•Ep. 253
Welcome to the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast, brought to you by the abuse team at Hugh James. In this episode, Alan Collins, the head of the abuse team, along with his colleagues Kathleen Hallisey and Hannah Hodgson, delve into the unsettling case of Reverend Julian Wheeler, a former Church of England clergyman recently convicted of sexually abusing two altar boys. We discuss the legal concept of vicarious liability and its implications for organisations in cases of abuse. This episode highlights...
May 24, 2024•17 min•Ep. 252
In this insightful episode of the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast, the host Alan Collins, partner at Hugh James, and his colleague Danielle Vincent come together to discuss the pressing issue of sexual abuse allegations within the Royal Navy. This frank dialogue is sparked by recent media coverage around a whistleblower, Sophie Brook, a former Royal Navy submarine naval officer, who courageously brought to light the inadequate handling of her own sexual abuse allegations. Alan and Danielle explore ...
May 16, 2024•18 min•Ep. 251
In this episode of the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast, the hosts, Alan Collins and Danielle Vincent discuss the Northern Ireland redress scheme. This scheme was established as compensation for adults who suffered abuse while they were children in the care system in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995. The scheme was initiated by the UK parliament on the basis of several recommendations. The Redress Board in Northern Ireland administers this compensation scheme. Danielle and Alan delve into why ...
May 10, 2024•18 min•Ep. 250
Delve into the themes of 'Baby Reindeer', a riveting Netflix series, with Danielle and Hannah in the H.J. Talks About Abuse Podcast. This episode presents a thoughtful discussion about the serious issues portrayed in the TV series, which include sexual abuse, stalking, and broader issues faced by survivors of such traumas. As legal experts, Danielle and Hannah also explore the legal aspects surrounding these issues. They talk about the power dynamics, the stigmatization, and the barriers to repo...
May 03, 2024•16 min•Ep. 249
In this engaging podcast episode, Alan Collins, head of the abuse team at Hugh James Solicitors, dives into the alarming issue of child sexual exploitation via technology, particularly focusing on the startling fact that children as young as three are being embroiled in online sexual abuse. Collins discusses a recent report by the Internet Watch Foundation, which confirms the horrifying extent of this crisis. Alan asserts that this isn't just an issue for governments, law enforcement, or social ...
Apr 26, 2024•11 min•Ep. 248
Welcome to the latest episode of the HJ Talks Abuse podcast where we discuss sexual abuse cases to facilitate discussion on often neglected subjects. Brought to you by the legal experts at Hugh James, we aim to not just address these cases from a legal standpoint but also bring to light to broader issues suffered by survivors of sexual abuse. In this week’s episode, we discuss mainstream soap EastEnders storyline that follows the sexual assault of an older female character perpetrated by a trust...
Apr 19, 2024•12 min•Ep. 247
