Client’s story: survivor of historic Sunday school abuse secures recognition through a civil claim

Bringing a claim decades later

By the time our client came to us, many years had passed since the abuse. In civil claims there is a strict time limit for bringing a case, of three years. Where this happened to a child under the age of 18 the time limit for bringing a claim is the person 21st birthday. This is known as the limitation period.

The court has the discretion to allow cases outside of this period. The courts recognise that survivors often need many years before they feel able to speak about what happened. Because of this, the court has the power to allow claims to proceed outside the usual time limits where it is fair to do so.

In this case, we contacted the organisation responsible for the Sunday School and its insurers to pursue a civil claim without issuing court proceedings.

Legal and evidential challenges

As the abuse had taken place many years earlier, the claim required careful and detailed preparation. With the passage of time, important documents can become difficult to trace, and in this case we were unable to obtain copies of the certificate of conviction or indictment despite extensive enquiries. These documents are often used in civil claims to formally confirm that abuse took place.

To make sure the case could still move forward, we focused on gathering other strong evidence to support our client. We took a detailed witness statement from his mother, who had reported the abuse to the police at the time. This helped demonstrate the history of events and confirmed the connection between the abuser and the church.

We also built the legal case showing why the church could be held responsible for the actions of the abuser, ensuring our client’s claim was supported by clear evidence and careful preparation.

Understanding vicarious liability

The claim was brought against the church on the basis of vicarious liability. This is a legal principle that allows an organisation to be held responsible for abuse committed by someone acting in a role connected to that organisation.

In simple terms, the court looks at two key questions. The first is whether the relationship between the abuser and the organisation was one akin to employment. The second is whether the abuse was closely connected to the role the organisation gave that person.

We argued that the abuser had been placed in a position of trust and authority through his role at Sunday School. The opportunities for abuse arose because of that role and the activities organised through the church.

Medical evidence and long-term impact

A key part of the claim involved proving the long-term psychological impact of the abuse.

A medical expert concluded that the abuse had significantly contributed to our client developing complex post-traumatic stress disorder, recurrent depressive disorder, anxiety, and a somatic symptom disorder. These conditions had affected his daily life, his mental health, and his ability to work.

The medical expert recommended psychological therapy and ongoing support, including trauma focused treatment. They also concluded that our client remained vulnerable to relapse and would likely need support throughout his lifetime.

This medical evidence was crucial in demonstrating the lasting impact of the abuse and the support our client would need in the future.

Settlement and what it means for our client

Following the disclosure of the medical evidence and a detailed schedule of loss, the Defendant agreed to settle the claim. Our client accepted a settlement of £125,000.

Whilst no amount of money can undo the trauma he experienced, the settlement provides financial security and access to ongoing psychological support. It also represents recognition of the harm he suffered and the responsibility of the organisation involved.

How we supported our client

Non-recent (historic) abuse claims can be emotionally challenging. We kept our client at the forefront of the process, taking the time to listen carefully to his experiences and ensuring he felt comfortable and supported throughout. We worked closely with him to gather evidence, obtain expert reports, and guide him through each step in clear and straightforward language.

The compensation will help him access the therapy and support recommended by medical experts and provide greater stability for him and his family.

How we can help others

This case shows that it may still be possible to bring a claim for abuse that happened many years ago. If you experienced abuse as a child or adult and feel ready to speak about it, our specialist Abuse Claims team can provide confidential advice and support.

We understand that speaking about abuse can feel difficult. We will listen carefully, treat you sensitively, and provide clear, straightforward guidance so you can decide what feels right for you. We offer a free and no obligation case assessment, giving you the opportunity to understand your options in a safe environment.

Our team supports survivors of abuse in a wide range of institutional settings, including religious organisations such as churches, mosques and synagogues, as well as schools, care homes and other organisations. Even if criminal proceedings did not take place, or your abuser was never prosecuted, it may still be possible to bring a civil claim to seek accountability, access support, and pursue compensation.

We can also signpost you to specialist support organisations and survivor groups and will guide you throughout the process, answering your questions and supporting you at every stage.

Call us today on 0808 239 5461 or  request a callback to find out how we may be able to support you.