Man claiming abuse by social worker appeals for others to speak out

Date published: 21/11/2006

A man is suing Rochdale Council over sexual abuse he claims he suffered at a council run care home.

The man who cannot be named for legal reasons is appealing for other possible victims to come forward and break their silence over the sexual abuse by a social worker he says took place between January and December 1980 while at Foxholes Residential School.

Following a two-week trial in 2003, the social worker was convicted, given a prison sentence, banned from working with children and placed on the sex offenders’ register.

The man, who has received counselling and is on anti-depressants, said taking the council to court was a way of getting justice.  He said: "I want a bit of justice because I didn’t think I got it in court.

"Money is not an issue because there are more important things, like making the council accountable."

The man, now 40 years old, was taken into care for his own safety when he was 13 and was at first treated like a friend by the social worker.

He said: "It happened about four or five times, in the bath, touching and feeling.  The last incident I woke up to find him over me and felt a sharp pain at the bottom of my spine.  I’m not sure what he did.  He used to like to be referred to as uncle and I was told it was our secret."

It was only when he was much older he realised the serious nature of what had happened.

Rochdale Council was notified of the civil claim in June 2004, but court proceedings were only recently started.

A council spokesman said: "We are aware of the case, but due to the possibility of legal action it would be inappropriate to make any further comment."

The mans Cheadle-based solicitor, Caroline Chandler from Abney Garsden McDonald Solicitors who is pursuing the claim, said: "The claimant suffered appalling abuse in his childhood which has affected him throughout his life.  He is now involved in legal proceedings in the hope of obtaining justice."

She would be grateful if anyone who had similar experiences in this care home could come forward and speak to her. She says "any information received would be treated in the strictest confidence".

Ms Chandler can be contacted on 0161 482 8822 or by email at:

caroline@abneys.co.uk