| SPOTLIGHT |
An unnamed local authority has reached a settlement with parents whose daughter was sexually assaulted by other pupils at one of its primary schools, though it has not admitted liability.
The case arose when ‘Bella’ told her parents she had been repeatedly sexually assaulted by two male classmates in her school’s playground.
Both boys were eventually excluded, but it was later discovered that a staff member had witnessed inappropriate sexual behaviour towards Bella and had taken no action and that other parents had complained to the school about the two boys’ conduct.
Bella required therapy but her parents were told she did not qualify as a ‘child in need’ and the police would not give support as both boys were below the age of criminal responsibility.
Her parents instructed law firm Leigh Day to pursue the local authority for failing to prevent the sexual assaults, failing to appropriately safeguard Bella and failing to adequately train staff members in safeguarding.
Without admitting liability, the local authority reached a settlement at a round table meeting, later approved by the High Court.
Andrew Lord, a solicitor in Leigh Day’s abuse team, said: “We were unaware of any similar reported cases that aimed to hold local authorities responsible for sexual assaults carried out by children, against other children, in schools.
“Despite this we were committed to pursuing legal action to obtain redress for Bella; even following the defendant’s denial of liability. I am pleased that we were able to conclude this matter in a way which will allow Bella to continue to access support, both now and long into the future.”
