Abuse team walk to raise money and awareness of New Pathways

On Saturday 16 April, the Hugh James Abuse Team (and their dogs!) hiked up and around Caerphilly Mountain to complete a sponsored walk raising monies for the charity New Pathways. The abuse team discuss their hike and the charity in more detail in their latest podcast.

New Pathways provides therapy for those who have been affected by rape, sexually abuse or sexual assault. It is an invaluable service to a growing number of victims and survivors who come through its doors.

The team, motivated by the sunny weather, started their walk at Caerphilly mountain snack bar and looped around scenic Caerphilly mountain.

Members of the Abuse team walk for New Pathways

With Alan and his dog Maisie charging ahead, Danielle, Kathleen and Hannah from the abuse team navigated hills, high gates, and deep mud to finish their walk by 3:30pm.

New Pathways support nearly 4,000 people each year with their fantastic work. Kathleen who travelled from London to undertake the trek up the mountain said “New Pathways is an excellent cause to fundraise for. The service it provides is needed now more than ever”.

The abuse team at Hugh James are only too aware of how vital therapeutic services are to victims and survivors who often have been traumatised by their experiences and are having to relive this trauma throughout their life.

Danielle Vincent, Senior Associate in the abuse team explained; “We often see survivors, who have turned to us for advice and representation at a time when, perhaps, they feel their world has been turned upside down. Counselling or therapy are such an important part of the healing process”.

As part of the civil claims that the abuse team bring on behalf of survivors, Alan Collins, Head of the abuse team explains, “Psychiatric input is usually required and it is often recommended that therapy for example in the form of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is taken-up because it is an effective treatment for psychological symptoms, such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).”

Speaking about the sponsored walk, Jackie Stamp, CEO of New Pathways said

“A huge THANK YOU to the Hugh James abuse team for battling through mud and navigating a challenging course on their sponsored walk yesterday, raising funds and awareness for people affected by sexual abuse. Great work team!”

Now the walk has been completed, and slowly the legs are recovering, the team are so pleased to have raised over £1000 for New Pathways who provide much needed light for those who may feel in the dark at difficult moments in their lives.

Speaking about the amount raised, New Pathways said:

“£1000 is such an incredible amount. This money will enable us to provide over 20 hours of life changing trauma counselling to survivors of sexual abuse.”

There is still time to donate!

What your donation can do:

£9 buys a storybook to help a child cope with the traumatic effects of sexual abuse

£25 provides a well-being assessment for an adult or child who has experienced rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse

Click here to support this fantastic charity.

Author bio

Alan Collins

Partner

Alan Collins is one of the best known and most experienced solicitors in the field of child abuse litigation and has acted in many high profile cases, including the Jimmy Savile and Haut de la Garenne abuse scandals. Alan has represented interested parties before public inquiries including the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry, and IICSA (Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse).

Internationally, Alan works in Australia, South East Asia, Uganda, Kenya, and California representing clients in high profile sexual abuse cases. Alan also spoke at the Third Regional Workshop on Justice for Children in East Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok hosted by Unicef and HCCH (Hague Conference on Private International Law).