Inspired by the bravery of Simon Byrne and Adam Rainford
At GLP Solicitors, we have spent decades standing alongside victims of violent crime, survivors of sexual abuse, serious assaults, and other traumatic experiences that often go unspoken for years.
This week, the BBC shared the powerful story of Simon Byrne and Adam Rainford, two survivors of child sexual abuse who have waived their legal right to anonymity in a bid to encourage others to speak out. Their courage has rightly been praised across the country, and their message is clear: you are not alone, and there is support out there.
Their stories, sadly, are not uncommon. According to the charity We Are Survivors, it takes on average 22 years for a male survivor to disclose abuse, and even then, fewer than one in five report the abuse to the police. Shame, fear of not being believed, and psychological trauma all play a role in keeping survivors silent.
At GLP Solicitors, we specialise in helping victims of violent crime seek justice, through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICA), and where appropriate, civil actions against individuals or institutions. Our clients include men, women, and children who have been hurt by someone in a position of trust, coaches, carers, family members, professionals, people who should have protected them.
When survivors come to us, many have never spoken about what happened. Others may have made a police report years ago but didn’t know they had any rights beyond that. We help them understand those rights and navigate the process, with compassion, discretion, and respect.
Some of the survivors we’ve helped have:
- Reported abuse decades after it occurred and successfully claimed compensation.
- Sought justice where the offender has died or is unfit to stand trial.
- Brought civil cases against institutions who failed to protect them, including sports clubs, youth organisations, schools, and religious groups.
- Accessed psychological support services to assist in their recovery, through compensation-funded therapy.
The process isn’t easy, but with the right team behind you, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
We know how difficult it is to take that first step. But if you’ve been the victim of a violent crime, abuse, or assault, no matter how long ago it happened, we are here for you.
If Simon and Adam’s story resonated with you, and you feel ready to talk, get in touch with our team in confidence today.
- Visit www.criminalinjurycompensation.org to know more about GLP and the Injury Team
- Call 0161 764 5266 to speak with our team
- Click here to send us an enquiry
- Head Office: Bury | Offices across Greater Manchester