Charles Spencer leaves for Maidwell Hall, Photo courtesy of Charles Spencer by way NBC News
Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, has written an expose about the emotional, physical, and sexual abuse he endured at Maidwell Hall in the 1970s [1]. Titled A Very Private School, the book exposes the grim realities at one elite boarding school.
Clearly though this is not an isolated problem.
A Widespread Problem
“How I hated schools, and what a life of anxiety I lived there. I counted the hours to the end of every term, when I should return home.”
–Winston Churchill [2]
A 2018 documentary “Boarding Schools: The Secret Shame” disclosed 31 separate investigations into alleged sexual assault at British boarding schools [3]. The suspicion is that there are many more such instances under investigation.
While it is a legal requirement for schools to report abuse, there is no assurance of compliance. Because records are decentralized, even Britain’s Dept. for Education may not be aware how many schools are failing to meet standards [7].
Statute of Limitations
The victims of childhood sexual abuse may take years to come to terms with their trauma, even when memories are not repressed. Spencer first shared the story of his abuse with a therapist at age 42. He did not tell his wife until he began writing the book.
Thankfully for victims’ sake, there is no statute of limitations for rape or sexual abuse in Britain [4].
Unfortunately, the statute of limitations for childhood physical abuse in Britain is 3 years from the date of abuse or knowledge of it. But all claims must be made by age 21 [5].
While the Home Office did agree to adopt certain suggestions by the Independent Inquiry into Childhood Sexual Abuse, it retained the 3 year statute of limitations [6]. However, courts may disregard that time limit, if they deem it equitable to do so.
Meanwhile, Maidwell Hall has reached out to local authorities charged with the protection of children. Other victims are encouraged to come forward.
“[Maidwell Hall] was built on a lie common to institutions of its type: on the cock-and-bull notion that children were better off under its roof, learning to be biddable, influential members of society, rather than living as we should have done, as nature intended, with our families.”
–Charles Spencer, A Very Private School
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[1] NBC News, “Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, speaks out about ‘devastating’ abuse at British boarding school” by Cynthia McFadden, 3/11/24, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/charles-spencer-princess-dianas-brother-speaks-devastating-abuse-briti-rcna141886.
[2] AZ Quotes, “Winston Churchill Quotes about School”, https://www.azquotes.com/quote/549207.
[3] Byline Times, “Department of Education Under Fire for Failing to Reveal UK Boarding School Abuses” by Iain Overton, 12/21/23, https://bylinetimes.com/2023/12/21/department-for-education-under-fire-for-failing-to-reveal-uk-boarding-school-abuse-allegations/.
[4] Stuart Miller, “What Is the Statute of Limitations for Rape in the UK?”, https://www.stuartmillersolicitors.co.uk/statute-of-limitations-for-rape-in-the-uk/.
[5] Bolt Burdon Kemp, “Child abuse and the law”, https://www.boltburdonkemp.co.uk/abuse-claims/child-abuse/the-law/.
[6] Australasian Lawyer, “UK govt. defers scrapping limitation period for child abuse cases” by Mary Or, 5/24/23, https://www.thelawyermag.com/au/news/general/uk-govt-defers-scrapping-limitation-period-for-child-abuse-cases/446847.
[7] The latest figures on childhood sexual abuse in England and Wales can be found here: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/news/latest-figures-on-child-sexual-abuse-in-england-and-wales/.
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ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 
Es ist unfassbar, dass selbst in Eliteschulen Kinder, in denen man die Kinder gut behütet glaubte, Missbrauch in vielerlei Hinsicht betrieben wurde. LG M.
Ja, es ist sowohl tragisch als auch beunruhigend. Zweifellos wollten die Eltern, die ihre Kinder auf diese Schulen schickten, das Beste für sie. LG, A.
I have come to the sad conclusion that sexual abuse is one of the chief, if not THE chief weapon in Satan’s arsenal, and there are few if any places where it does not exist. It is if as though the enemy has discovered this “perfect crime” against humanity because he knows such crimes are often never reported, thus giving him free reign to inflict this lifelong bondage upon even more hapless children.
I, for one, long for the day when Satan and his demons are cast into the lake of fire for eternity.
I fear you have hit on a fundamental truth, my friend.
I think it’s common knowledge that this has been going on in those schools, but not to this extent!
It is obvious that abuse is not limited to the poor and disadvantaged, as some would contend.
Ofcourse – “The rich also cry,” but I knew that this was going on and assumed it was common knowledge, but not to this extent.
I’m sorry, Dolly. I didn’t mean to suggest that you were insensitive. As you say, institutional abuse is well known. All I was attempting to add is that there are those who mistakenly believe the wealthy are somehow morally superior, therefore, do not commit abuse. This story proves otherwise.
You have nothing to apologize for, dear Anna. If anything, I have to apologize for totally missing the point about “moral superiority.’ It simply never occurred to me.
Reading this tragic story brought to my mind the experiences of C.S. Lewis. It is sad how many parents, sincerely thinking they are doing the “best” for their children, have placed them in such vulnerable positions.
You are so right, Rob.
Public schools often hide a lot of things from the public and law enforcement as well. Many parents would be surprised at what’s not reported to the police from the public school because they try to handle things internally. It’s really sad.
Exactly.