Childhood Sexual Abuse at Greystone Heath

What was Greystone Heath?

Greystone Heath was an Approved School in Warrington which was owned and managed by Liverpool City Council.

The institution has recently been associated with several sexual abuse cases, including Housemaster Dennis Grain, who has been jailed several times – including in the 1990s and later in the mid 2010s – for abusing teenagers at the school.  Since then, there have been a few other childhood sexual abuse cases at Greystone Heath, including Alan Langshaw, who was jailed in 1995 for the same offences.

As an Approved School, Greystone Heath would have housed young offenders and troubled youths.

Later replaced by Community Homes with Education (CHEs), Approved Schools were similar to Borstals, but less regimented, and often compared to boarding schools.

In Approved Schools like Greystone Heath, more extreme methods of discipline (such as corporal punishment) were allowed. In addition to this, despite being overseen by the Home Office, Approved Schools were less regulated than other institutions for offenders, such as prisons and jails.

Greystone Heath is now unfortunately well-known for the childhood sexual abuse that took place within those four walls, for decades and at the hands of different members of staff.  

The Approved School was home to many vulnerable teenagers over the years, which makes the abuse of power of these adults – such as Bennett – so harrowing. This abuse of power can have long-lasting effects on victims, including issues with authority and generalised anxiety and trust issues.

However, victims of the childhood sexual abuse that took place in Greystone Heath have shown incredible bravery by reporting their experiences and giving statements during court hearings. Going back to such traumatising past events can be extremely difficult, but by reporting and giving statements, these victims are giving others the platform to speak out, too.

After the years of abuse that took place there, Greystone Heath, previously named the Sankey School until 1947, closed in the 1980s.

The building has subsequently burned down.

What happened at Greystone Heath?

From the 1990s onwards, numerous other former employees of Greystone Heath, such as Alan Langshaw, Roy Shuttleworth, Keith Laverack have been convicted of historic sexual abuse.

This case shows that even if the passage of time means that the sexual abuser is no longer able to stand trial, it is still possible for adult survivors to obtain a form of resolution and closure through the criminal justice system.

This is an important message, as victims’ of childhood sexual abuse are often unable to report the abuse during or shortly after it occurs, which may be for several reasons. Firstly, victims of childhood sexual abuse usually don’t understand what is happening to them until they grow older. In addition, victims may have been subjected to grooming, which means they may be unaware that what is happening to them is wrong. Finally, victims may believe that the abuse is their fault, which will deter them from reporting their experience.

Therefore, most childhood sexual abuse cases and hearings are about historical abuse. However, even as adults, victims of this type of abuse may not want to report it. They may feel as though too much time has passed.

Examples like the Gordon Bennett case is proof that victims of historical childhood sexual abuse can gain some form of closure, no matter how long ago the abuse took place, which offers hope to victims of similar cases.

What to do if You’ve Experienced Historical Sexual Abuse

Our Process

Whenever our team of Abuse Solicitors is approached by someone who was sexually abused in their childhood, we have a process in place to help them deal with this and find the right resolution for them.

When someone who has experienced this trauma comes to us, firstly, our advice is always to contact the police if they have not already done so.

If this has already happened, we will look at progressing a civil claim which we can assist with.

We’re on hand to always guide you through the process.

Support Groups

We will also signpost childhood sexual abuse survivors to specialist support groups or organisations, where appropriate.

Support groups and organisations can be very useful in helping victims begin to heal from the trauma of historical sexual abuse.

These groups are a good way for victims to meet others who have experienced similar things, in a supportive and open environment.

In addition, there are organisations who deal with issues like childhood sexual abuse, who can help victims find support and resources in their area. From leaflets and written resources to CSA (childhood sexual abuse)-specific counsellors, these organisations like NAPAC offer high-level support to victims.

Therapy or Counselling

As well as support groups, therapy or counselling can play a big part in helping victims deal with historical sexual abuse.

Talking through the abuse and the lasting effect it has had can be very important and is often the first step on the journey towards healing.

Many therapists and counsellors specialise in working with victims of childhood sexual abuse, meaning they can fully understand and help victims deal with these issues.

In addition, therapy or counselling can also help victims through the claims process.

What to do if you Were Sexually Abused as a Child at Greystone Heath

Greystone Heath was also the subject of a successful group action for damages against Liverpool City Council which was co-ordinated by Abney Garsden McDonald Solicitors, who have since merged with Simpson Millar.

Our Child Abuse Solicitors have decades of experience specialising in representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and we’re here to answer any questions you may have about the whole process of working with us towards getting you the outcome you’re looking for.

In addition to this, due to our experience working with victims of this case we also have extensive knowledge of Greystone Heath and the abuse that residents suffered during the many years it was open.

We have also been instructed by many adult survivors who approached us after the group action concluded, and we continue to act for a number of people in respect of their experiences when they were residents at Greystone Heath. We are therefore equipped with the knowledge and expertise to ensure we can help victims through the process as successfully as possible. We understand the courage it takes to come forward about these experiences, and we are here to signpost support resources and groups.

Should you require help, support, or advice in relation to any problems (including childhood sexual abuse) you encountered during your time at Greystone Heath or any other care home, community home or school when you were a child, please do not hesitate to contact our specialist team of Abuse Solicitors.

Our friendly and understanding team of Abuse Solicitors is here to guide you through the process of finding emotional and/or legal closure for the historical abuse you have suffered, from helping you find support groups and organisations to answering whatever queries you may have when it comes to the legal process.

Get in touch, today!

Fill in the form below to get in touch with one of our dedicated team members, or call our team today on: 0808 239 1287