Man sexually abused at Lambeth Council children's homes wins six-figure sum

A man who was sexually abused while staying at Lambeth Council's children's homes has been awarded a six figure sum in compensation.

The victim, who can't be named for legal reasons, was subjected to sustained physical and sexual abuse during his time in the care of the South London local authority in the 1980s.

Staff at the children's homes would lock him in his room and knowing he was afraid of the dark, remove the lightbulb, and force him to shower with other boys.

The sexual abuse started with employees tapping on his bottom, before it escalated.

He is one of hundreds if not thousands of people who as children in the care of Lambeth Council were subjected to decades of cruelty and abuse in one of Britain's worst ever child abuse scandals.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) which published its report 'Children in the care of Lambeth Council' earlier this year found that despite a scale of child cruelty lasting over 40 years, the Council disciplined only one senior employee for their part in the catalogue of sexual abuse.

Professor Alexis Jay, the inquiry's Chair, said: "These children became pawns in a toxic power game within Lambeth Council and between the Council and central government."

"For many years bullying, intimidation, racism, nepotism and sexism thrived within the Council, and all against a backdrop of corruption and financial mismanagement."

"There was a vicious and regressive culture, for which a succession of leading elected members were mainly responsible, aided and abetted in some instances by self-serving senior officials."

The victim, who is now in his 40s, has struggled to form relationships and hold down a job due to the long-term emotional and psychological effects of the abuse.

He has suffered from insomnia, nightmares and self-harm as a result of the mistreatment.

Children in care of Lambeth Council "subjected to decades of cruelty and abuse"

The man endured abuse during placements at Larch House, St Saviours and South Vale Assessment Centre during the 1980s.

He said: "It is unbearable to think about everything that happened and awful to consider just how much of an impact it has had on my life. No child should have to face the nightmare that I endured.

"I tried to run away so I could get away from what was happening but each time I would be found and taken back into care.

"While it's more than 30 years since I was abused, the effects didn't stop when the abuse ended.

"While I've tried to put it behind me and move on, what happened has always stayed with me and shaped the adult I've become."

Lambeth Council has accepted that it failed to protect children in its care, with its representative at the Inquiry acknowledging the Council "created and oversaw conditions … where appalling and absolutely shocking and horrendous abuse was perpetrated".

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In its report IICSA did however note the Council "did not make any meaningful apology until relatively recently. This is despite the many investigations and inspections over 20 years which made clear the duty of care it failed to deliver to so many child victims of sexual abuse.

With its apology, the Council set up the Lambeth Redress scheme for those affected to claim compensation, which includes a 'Harm's Way Payment' of up to £10,000 to former residents as well as separate payments based on assessments of the individual cases of those subjected to abuse.

Applications to the scheme close on January 1, 2022.

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The man plans to use the compensation money to access treatment for the psychological impact of the abuse, as well as to improve his literacy after he received poor education while in care.

He said: "With these funds, I hopefully have a chance to get support that can help me look more positively to the future. The past cannot be changed, but I want to finally be able to try and put it behind me.

"I would also urge anyone else affected by these types of problems to not face it alone. It takes a lot of bravery to speak out, but it can make a massive difference."

The victim instructed specialist abuse lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to submit his case under Lambeth Council's Redress Scheme.

Natasha Fairs, specialist lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: "It remains shocking to consider the level of abuse that emerged in children's homes run by Lambeth Council, with many vulnerable young people suffering as a result.

"While nothing can sadly change what has happened, we're now determined to support those affected."

Lambeth Council has been contacted for comment.

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