Sisters of Nazareth sexual abuse allegations
Coming forward with allegations of sexual abuse can be incredibly difficult. Our dedicated solicitors specialise in this area of law and are committed to supporting survivors in their pursuit of justice.
Leigh Day is investigating potential claims into the sexual abuse of residents at a children's home in South Africa, believed to have been owned and operated by the Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth.
The legal team at Leigh Day has been approached by a man in his late 50s who alleges he was sexually abused while a resident at a Sisters of Nazareth children’s home in Port Elizabeth from 1977-1982. Allegations of abuse include grooming, sexual assault, and the production of pornographic images. Leigh Day is now investigating a claim against the Sisters of Nazareth for failing in their duty to protect the residents at their children’s home.
Headquartered in the UK, the Sisters of Nazareth operates through an international network of Nazareth Houses, which provide lodgings to nuns and care services to the local community. Historically, the Sisters of Nazareth provided care to children, but in more recent times has focused on its work with the elderly.
A teacher who previously worked at the Sisters of Nazareth home in Port Elizabeth in the 1970s and 1980s was convicted of child sexual abuse in South Africa in the early 2000s, after being found with a large collection of child pornography, much of which he had photographed himself. Police reported recovering the largest collection of child pornography that had ever been found in the Western Cape.
History of abuse
The prevalence of sexual, physical and emotional abuse in Sisters of Nazareth homes in England, Scotland, Ireland and Australia is well-documented, including by public inquiries in which Leigh Day has participated. Most recently, Leigh Day successfully settled a claim on behalf of a former resident of a UK Nazareth House, who was abused by a member of staff during the 1970s and 80s. The civil claim was settled in December 2022 by the Sisters of Nazareth who, along with paying compensation, also offered a formal apology.
What can you do if you have been affected?
If you have been affected by the allegations of abuse involving the Sisters of Nazareth in South Africa and are considering legal action, our team is here to help. We offer confidential support and can guide you through your options. Please note that there may be time limits on bringing historic abuse claims, so we encourage you to reach out as soon as possible.
Why choose Leigh Day?
The team at Leigh Day is led by Partner Sapna Malik and Senior Associate Rebecca Swan - both of whom bring extensive experience in ground-breaking human rights litigation.
- Sapna Malik has over 20 years of experience representing claimants in landmark human rights cases. She has acted against multi-national corporations and led high-profile legal actions arising from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the broader ‘war on terror.’ Notably, in 2018, she brought a civil claim on behalf of Abdul-Hakim Belhaj, a Libyan opposition figure who, along with his wife, was abducted and rendered to Libya with the assistance of MI6. In recent years, Sapna has focused on cases involving gender-based and sexual violence.
- Rebecca Swan is a Senior Associate with a strong background in innovative legal challenges defending human rights and labour rights worldwide. She has worked on major cases against companies such as British American Tobacco, Uber, and Vedanta Resources Plc. More recently, Rebecca has concentrated on gender-based violence claims, including cases brought against Camellia Plc and Unilever Plc concerning alleged abuses on their agricultural estates.
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Sapna Malik is a truly brilliant partner who specialises in gender-based violence and torture claims.
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We understand that speaking out can be incredibly difficult. Our team is here to offer clear legal guidance and support as you consider your next steps.
If you're finding things difficult or feel you need emotional support, we encourage you to speak to your GP or a healthcare professional. You can also contact one of the specialist organisations listed below, who may be able to help.
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Samaritans - 116 123 (UK and Ireland)
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What is the best way to contact you?
The easiest way to reach us is to complete the enquiry form on this page. A member of the appropriate team will then contact you directly to arrange a call.
Our legal team are experienced in dealing with highly sensitive claims, we have supported clients who have suffered sexual, emotional and physical abuse. In contacting us you will speak to a member of the legal team who is suitably able to guide you through an initial discussion.
Yes. Even if the abuse took place many years ago, historic abuse claims are still possible. Our team will advise on your specific case and any time limits that may apply.
Yes. We treat all enquiries with full confidentiality. If a civil claim is filed, it’s possible to apply for an anonymity order which are designed to safeguard the identity of an individual.
There is absolutely no requirement for you to go public with your experience. We are aware that some people who have contacted us are keen to be able to tell their story, to offer additional support for a public inquiry, or make sure as many details as possible come to light.
This can be done entirely anonymously. If that is something you would like to consider we have an in-house media relations team whose role is to support our clients in their engagement with the media. They can discuss this with you on a completely confidential basis and answer any questions you may have.
Please contact us directly if you would like more information.