HJ Talks About Abuse The Hugh James Abuse Team

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 reporting such incidents, particularly for gay and bisexual men. Listeners are warned about potentially upsetting themes. At the end of the podcast, they emphasize the importance of seeking support and help. It's a powerful discussion not just for survivors of abuse, but for all audiences to broaden their understanding and empathy towards such grave issues.
A numbe rof support services:
Services - Safeline - Believe in you - Surviving sexual abuse & rape
1in6 | Sexual Abuse of Boys & Men - Confidential Support
www.survivorsuk.org/
Support For Male Survivors - MSP - The Male Survivors Partnership
Rape Crisis England & Wales

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 media platforms—it's a concern for all of us as a society. He explores how this exploitation often intersects with other criminal activities, such as drug smuggling, and underlines the enormous financial motivations behind these deplorable acts.
The podcast further delves into the role of technology, with Alan questioning how young children gain access to it and the inherent risks exposed. Alongside this, he discusses the vital importance of education in identifying and understanding these risks and denotes how media potentially amplifies these problems by presenting unrealistic lifestyles and behaviors that young people tend to emulate.
Finally, he emphasises the imperative of listening to survivors of abuse to better comprehend the devastation caused by this menace and find effective ways to prevent history from repeating. Keeping in mind the dire consequences, Alan underscores the need for collective action and conscious effort to eradicate this atrocious practice from our society.

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 trusted religious figure who is in a position of trust.
 
Our hosts for the day, Danielle Vincent, Kathleen Hallisey, and Hannah Hodgson initiate the conversation with a trigger warning, as the episode touches upon sensitive themes like sexual assault, abuse, and religion. Hannah takes the lead in examining the upcoming narrative which features the sexual abuse of an older female character named Yolanda by a pastor, Clayton. The motives behind choosing such a storyline were to shatter the stereotypical image that only younger women are subject to rape and sexual assault. A spin-off of this storyline also indicates an overlooked aspect of positional abuse.
 
We also discuss the 'Chilling Silence Report' by SARSAS, which delves into the unexplored area of sexual violence against older women. We discuss how this report untangles the societal and cultural factors preventing older women from reporting sexual abuse cases, which is often downplayed or normalised due to ageism or existing stereotypes. The hosts opine that these challenging storylines could spark conversations within families, causing a ripple effect of awareness throughout society.
 
A crucial outcome of this discussion is the encouragement of victims to seek support, as well as to get in touch with Rape Crisis England and Wales – the organisation that specialises in this regard.
 
If you have any suggestions or inquiries related to this issue or future podcasts, feel free to get in touch. For more on this topic, you can find referral links in the blog.

Welcome to the latest episode of the HJ Talks Abuse podcast where we unpack 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 episode, host Alan Collins, the partner heading the abuse team at Hugh James, is joined by expert colleague Danielle Vincent. They  discuss an important, often overlooked aspect in these cases - the apology. However, listener discretion is advised as the sensitive nature of the content could be distressing for some.
This episode delves into the complexity surrounding apologies in the aftermath of sexual abuse. The UK Ministry of Justice has initiated a consultation paper concerned with the the legal ramifications of apologies in civil proceedings and whether reform is needed. The hosts explore how apologies, considered a significant part of the legal landscape, can impact the course of a case and the survivors' healing process.
Dani and Alan delve deeper into the intricacies surrounding apologies and their legal implications, the reactions of survivors, and complexities tethering apologies to liability. The conversation also includes a brief look at the legal approach to apologies in jurisdictions like Scotland, Hong Kong, and Northern Ireland. Lastly, the hosts relay urgent concerns about the proposed changes and urge listeners to remain engaged and contribute to the consultation paper.

On this week’s episode of the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast, our host Danielle Vincent discusses failings in child safeguarding and the lack of training available with special guests Lucy McCollum and Amy Lott.
 Lucy and Amy have founded Safeguarding First, a charity that provides safeguarding training.
 We discuss the need for safeguarding training and how this could not only prevent abuse taking place but provide guidance on whistleblowing/reporting.
Specifically founded with a mission to refine safeguarding practices across the UK, Safeguarding First aims to provide training to both individual and organisations, with both the option for virtual training or a further bespoke package for a particular organisation’s needs. Drawing from their own lived trauma, Lucy and Amy highlight the need for thorough training for parents, volunteers, and professionals entrusted with the care of children.
Lucy and Amy introduce Safeguarding First’s forthcoming online courses designed to empower every listener to deal responsibly with situations of suspected abuse. Both highlight how vital it is to ask uncomfortable questions, follow strict processes, and report even minor suspicions, making children's environments more secure and empowering individuals with resources for appropriate help.
The episode concludes with an encouraging call-to-action for listeners to actively participate in designing future courses and to support Safeguarding First’s fundraising efforts. As part of their expansion and outreach efforts, they also highlight the launch event scheduled in October 2024.
This podcast affirms the paramount importance of each individual's role in protecting children from abuse and calls for collective efforts toward ensuring child safety nationwide. You can learn more about Safeguarding First’s crucial initiative by visiting safeguarding1st.com or by emailing lucy@safeguarding1st.com

Join Danielle Vincent and her colleague Kathleen Hallisey on the HJ Talks About Abuse podcast, sponsored by the abuse team at Hugh James, as they welcome guest Tanith McCulloch, the Sibling Sexual Abuse Project Officer. This particular episode aims to shed light on the seldom-mentioned issue of sibling sexual abuse, offering insights from a survivor-led project aimed at empowering survivors and addressing the legal implications and broader issues they face.
Tanith McCulloch introduces her notable work in driving funding towards programs aimed at adult survivors of familial sexual abuse. www.siblingsexualabusesupport.org
A major part of the conversation focuses on society's lack of understanding and the associated stigma surrounding sibling sexual abuse, emphasising the crucial need to empower survivors. 
There is discussion about the new Hollyoaks storyline focusing on sibling sexual abuse between Frankie and JJ, the guidance that Tanith and her team have provided to Hollyoaks, and the importance of a major mainstream soap opera highlighting this hidden abuse.   
Recognising the significance of community support, a virtual network exclusive for adult survivors of Sibling Sexual Abuse (SSA) is discussed. Professional development opportunities for professionals in this field, guided directly by survivors, is another vital segment of the project. The episode wraps up with a crucial discussion defining sibling sexual abuse, tackling cultural misconceptions, and elucidating the importance of survivors' feelings towards abusive experiences, irrespective of societal-defined thresholds of abuse.
Intended as an informative resource for anyone touched by or working in the field of sexual abuse, this episode is an eye-opening encounter with the reality behind the silence of sibling sexual abuse. This survivor-led dialogue works towards breaking the stigma by bringing the issue out in open.
You can find further support and resources here:
www.siblingsexualabusesupport.org
Rape Crisis England & Wales - 24-hour telephone line 0808500222
lucyfaithfull.org.uk
Stop It Now | Preventing child sexual abuse
siblingsexualtrauma.com in America