Robert Gould’s Conviction: A Reminder That It’s Never Too Late to Report Child Sexual Abuse

Last week, Robert Gould (a former teacher and Methodist Youth Group Church Leader) was convicted of sexually abusing a number of boys during the 1970s and 1980s, some forty to fifty years ago. This recent conviction reminds us that even though many years might have passed, it is not necessarily too late to report sexual abuse and for the perpetrator to be convicted. Following Gould’s conviction, Lead Investigator, DC Alice Hornsby of Northamptonshire Police commented:

“Robert Gould may have thought that he’d gotten away with his crimes but this case goes to show that it doesn’t matter how much time has passed, convictions for sexual abuse can still be achieved and Northamptonshire Police will always do everything it can to secure them” …

“I’d like to take this opportunity to make an appeal to anyone who has suffered sexual abuse but has not yet come forward. Please contact us. We will believe you and we will do everything we can to bring your abuser to justice.”

There are many reasons why survivors do not disclose their experiences, in particular the following are noted by the British Psychological Society (BPS) in their publication, “Guidance on Responding to disclosures to non-recent (historic) child sexual abuse: Safeguarding and support implications”:

• Fear of not being believed or thinking that they were the only person to have suffered at the hands of their abuser;

• Fear of being blamed by others for what has happened to them;

• Feelings of shame, embarrassment or guilt;

• Fears arising from the abuser having made threats to harm them or their family;

• Complex or conflicting feelings towards their abuser;

• Worrying about the possible consequences of disclosing, such as alienation from family, community or religion;

• Worrying about the impact of making a disclosure on their employment;

• Worrying about the response from the abuser; and

• Anxiety about the possibility of a criminal investigation or court proceedings.

The BPS notes that there may also may be additional barriers encountered by those in minority groups, such as those who identify as LGBTQ+ or from minority ethnic groups who may face homophobia or racism, for example.

Over the years, I have worked with many survivors of abuse who have not been able to disclose for many years, often for the above reasons. Research undertaken by the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (referenced by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse) found that on average, it takes those who are able disclose their abuse, around 24 years to do so. By that point, it is entirely understandable that those individuals would believe that by then it is too late for the police to undertake any meaningful investigation, perhaps thinking that crucial evidence is likely to have been lost or that it would be their word against their abuser.

The recent case and conviction of Robert Gould acts as a reminder that this is not necessarily the case.

Quite often, abusers like Gould, who are employed and/or volunteering with children over a prolonged period of time, will abuse more than one individual. Often, convictions for non-recent child abuse offences are secured largely due to the strength of evidence collectively provided by those survivors who have been able to report – despite the passage of time. As DC Hornsby notes, it does not necessarily matter how much time has passed, if you or someone you know has suffered childhood sexual abuse and has not yet disclosed or reported, it is not too late to do so.

If you have experienced sexual abuse or know someone who has experienced abuse, and wish to bring a claim for compensation and are unsure of the process, then we can provide you with initial free and confidential advice on the process of reporting to the police, what to expect and your options in bringing a civil claim.

You can contact our legal experts by calling 0330 822 3451, and speak with a specialist solicitor directly. Alternatively, you can request a call back.