Government Mandate: Ampleforth College Prohibited from Accepting New Pupils Following Abuse Scandal

What Did the Report Find Prior to The Ban?

According to the IICSA, it is “difficult to describe the appalling sexual abuse inflicted over decades on children aged as young as seven at Ampleforth School,” and around ten individuals, including monks, were convicted or cautioned in relation to sexual offences at Ampleforth School and Downside School. The inquiry heard that young boys were ordered to strip naked and perform acts of sexual abuse, both in private and in front of other pupils.

Victims at Ampleforth reported many horrific acts of abuse, including beatings and sexual assault. An abuser was found to have abused 11 children aged between 8 and 12 and had made them engage in sexual activity in front of their peers.

The IICSA said that the “perpetrators did not hide their sexual interests from the children,” in a “culture of acceptance of abusive behaviour.” They also noted that, “the true scale of the abuse however is likely to be considerably higher.” Because of this, we urge anyone who hasn’t already spoken out or reported their abuse to the police to do so.

Talking about sexual abuse that you suffered as a child takes bravery and courage, and we know how hard it is to speak out. It is not always about the money, but sometimes by getting justice for a past experience, could help you find peace after all these years.

How Simpson Millar Can Help 

No child should feel unsafe in school or at risk of abuse. Sadly, child abuse in schools can and does happen, like in Ampleforth, and it can leave victims feeling too afraid to speak out – at Simpson Millar, we are here to help.

Our Child Abuse Solicitors have helped victims of child abuse get justice and rebuild their lives after they’ve suffered at the hands of an abuser. Even if the abuse took place a long time ago, we know that the effects can last a lifetime – It’s never too late to get the support and justice you deserve.

We encourage anyone who’s been affected during their time at Ampleforth College or any other school or institution to get in touch. If you want to report the abuse or make a claim for compensation, we can offer friendly and confidential advice.

Get in touch with our friendly and compassionate team for a free, confidential, no obligation case assessment, by calling us on 0808 239 1287.

FAQ:

How Do I Pay for a School Abuse Claim?

Your legal costs for a School Abuse Claim can be paid for by:

• Legal Aid – you may be eligible depending on your financial circumstances
• No Win, No Fee – this means you won’t pay any legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful
• Legal Expenses Insurance – this is sometimes an add on to home or motor insurance
• Private funding – where you pay the legal fees directly

What should I do if anyone I know has been abused at school?

The first thing you should do is report your, or your child’s, abuse to the police. We understand this is a difficult step and we can help guide you through this. If you have reason to believe that someone working in a school is abusing children, you should report these concerns to the police as well.

Abuse in schools can happen in different ways. For example:

• It can be a one-off incident, or it can happen on several occasions
• It can span several years
• There can be more than one victim
• There can been more than one abuser
• It can be sexual, physical or emotional
• It can happen in state, private, boarding and religious schools

Often abusers are in a position of trust and power, for example a teacher or another staff member, but victims can also be abused by another student.