Josie was sexually abused whilst living in a children’s home run by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. Despite being a known vulnerable child, she and others were abused by paedophiles whilst she resided under the local authority’s care.
What happened to Josie?
Josie was placed into the care of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council as a young girl. She was a known vulnerable child who’d sadly already experienced sexual abuse at the hands of others during her childhood but she sadly wasn’t believed when she felt able to share her story.
As time passed, Josie was passed from pillar to post into different placements. She never able to form meaningful relationships with carers and losing all faith in those around her to place her in appropriate and good quality placements.
Eventually, Josie spent five years, from the age of ten, at the Whalley New Road Children’s Home. It was here that she and other girls were abused by paedophiles known in the local area.
Josie was often driven around by groups of men and forced into sexual encounters with multiple men in any given night. Josie was drugged and plied with alcohol and drugs, which meant she’d often not remember what had happened to her. This happened on countless occasions over a period of years. Although the local authority had some suspicions that Josie was a victim of child sexual exploitation gang, they did little to intervene, prevent or move Josie out of the area to a place of safety. Instead, the abuse spiralled and Josie was deemed “unmanageable”.
It was only as the abuse became more violent and threats were made upon her life that Josie felt able to discuss her experiences frankly with staff at the care home. This led to a police investigation.
In August 2007, those who abused Josie were convicted and later deported to Pakistan. At the time of the convictions, Josie was 15.
How did the abuse affect Josie’s life?
Josie has been very open in how her experiences have affected her into adulthood.
She continues to suffer with flashbacks and vivid nightmares, now being diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and remains deeply affected by her experiences which will never truly resolve.
Her relationships with others are difficult to maintain and she finds difficulty opening up and trusting new people.
How did Irwin Mitchell help Josie?
Josie, now 32, came to us to help get access to the right support to help her move forward. Jemma Till, a Solicitor in our Medical Negligence and Abuse Litigation team, worked with Josie.
Jemma and Josie worked together to get Josie the right compensation that would be put towards the best support.
On Josie’s claim, Jemma said: “This is sadly yet another devastating case where a vulnerable child has suffered unimaginable abuse.
“While it’s many years since the abuse, it still affects Josie to this day. No amount of money will ever make up for the trauma she’s been through, but we’re pleased to have been able to secure her this settlement which will allow her to access the specialist support she requires as she attempts to move forward with her life.
“We also applaud Josie’s bravery in sharing her experiences in an aim of helping others.
“Survivors of abuse need not suffer in silence as help and support is available.”
Find out more about our expertise in helping survivors of historic child abuse cases and more recent abuse.
Back to Client Stories
