When Chad reported being sexually abused, a police officer said ‘it was a long time ago’
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Participants have given us permission to share their experiences.
As an adult, Chad tried to report being sexually abused at boarding school, but the police said they could find no record of the place.
He feels disappointed and let down by the way they responded.
Chad was born in the 1960s and adopted as a baby.
His adoptive parents moved house a lot, and Chad frequently changed schools, which he says was difficult. When he was 12 years old, he was sent to a school where he boarded during the week.
At first, he was placed in a dormitory that did not have a door with other boys. One night the housemaster, Mr White, came in and put his hands down Chad’s pyjamas. Chad describes his confusion: ‘You don’t know what to do at that age’.
Soon after this, he was moved into a room on his own that did have a door. The housemaster began visiting him regularly in the night and the sexual abuse escalated to masturbation. It continued happening for two to three years.
Sometimes Mr White took groups on outdoor trips which involved staying overnight. He used these outings as an opportunity to sexually abuse Chad, and sometimes gave him alcohol. During this time Chad’s academic performance was badly affected.
Chad left school when he was in his mid teens.
During his adult life Chad has had difficulties with trust and relationships. His mental health has suffered and he has PTSD.
When he was in his 40s, he decided to report the sexual abuse he had suffered to the police but he was ‘fobbed off’ by an officer who said ‘it was a long time ago’. He was told they could find no record of the school or the perpetrator, but Chad has been able to find some information on both.
Over the following years, he made further reports. He says there was ‘an investigation of sorts’ but he knows that the police did not make contact with possible witnesses he suggested and he has not been asked to give a statement. He discovered that another victim and survivor came forward, and also that the perpetrator is now deceased.
Chad has had some counselling but he had to pay for it himself and could not afford to continue with it. He is unhappy about the way the police responded to his reports and feels it could have been handled much better. ‘I feel it’s not good enough’ he says.