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24 September 2024 | Comment | Article by Alan Collins

Abuse of power: Understanding the legal and social implications


The Jermaine Jenas story has garnered significant attention from both the media and the public. While the details of what transpired and the messages exchanged remain unclear, speculation abounds. Rather than adding to the speculation, it is more constructive to explore the various legal and non-legal issues that arise from such situations.

Consent and power imbalance

One of the critical issues in cases like this is consent. Consent cannot be considered genuine when there is a significant imbalance of power. When a junior staff member is placed in a position where they feel unable to refuse an inappropriate message or an invitation to a social event, it cannot be deemed consensual. This imbalance of power creates a coercive environment where true consent is impossible.

Understanding sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is defined by the Equality Act 2010 as unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive working environment. Examples of sexual harassment include:

  • Unwelcome sexual advances, propositions, and demands for sexual favours
  • Unwanted or derogatory comments or nicknames about clothing or appearance
  • Leering and suggestive gestures, remarks, or jokes
  • Intrusive questioning or suggestions about your sex life or a colleague’s sex life, and discussing their own sex life
  • Sexual posts or contact on social media
  • Spreading sexual rumours about a person
  • Sending sexually explicit emails or text messages
  • Comments of a sexual nature about your or a colleague’s sexual orientation
  • Comments of a sexual nature about your or a colleague’s gender identity
  • Displaying offensive material, such as pornographic pictures or calendars, including those in electronic forms such as computer screen savers or by circulating such material in emails or via social media
  • ‘Upskirting’ that typically involves someone taking a picture under another person’s clothing without their knowledge
  • Predatory behaviour
  • Coercion
  • Physical contact such as the invasion of personal space and unnecessary touching, hugging, or kissing through to sexual assault, indecent exposure, stalking, and rape (although rape is defined as a separate criminal offense)

New legal provisions for unsolicited explicit images

As of January 31, 2024, new provisions within the Online Safety Act have come into force to tackle intimate image abuse and “revenge porn.” Previously, victims had to navigate a patchwork of civil and criminal causes of action. The new provisions consolidate various offenses, making them more effective tools for victims seeking justice. Notably, the Act creates a new base offense within the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for sharing intimate images without consent, removing the need to prove an intention to cause distress. This change addresses a significant hurdle for victims. The Act also targets “deepfakes” and introduces a new “cyberflashing” offense.

Cyberflashing criminalises intentionally sending or giving an image (photo or film) of a person’s genitals to another, intending to cause the recipient alarm, distress, or humiliation, or for sexual gratification, and being reckless as to whether it caused the recipient alarm, distress, or humiliation.

The psychology behind abuse of power

Why do those in positions of power, mostly men, engage in such behaviour? Several factors could be at play, including:

  • Entitlement: A belief that they deserve to act in such a manner due to their status.
  • Self-destructive behaviour: Actions that ultimately harm their own careers and reputations.
  • Misogyny: Deep-seated prejudices against women.

The Growing Crisis of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

Last year, police chiefs placed offenses against women and girls on the same level as terrorism and serious organised crime. This year, it has been declared a national emergency.

The National Policing Statement for VAWG, commissioned by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing, found:

  • Over one million VAWG-related crimes were recorded during 2022/23, accounting for 20% of all police-recorded crime.
  • Police-recorded VAWG-related crime increased by 37% between 2018 and 2023.
  • At least 1 in every 12 women will be a victim per year, with the exact number expected to be much higher.
  • Child sexual abuse and exploitation increased by more than 400% between 2013 and 2022.

Not only is VAWG growing, but we are also seeing ever more complicated types of offending, causing significant harm to victims and society as a whole. One in every six murders related to domestic abuse in 2022/23, with suspected victim suicides following domestic abuse rising year-on-year.

Conclusion

The Jermaine Jenas story highlights the critical issues of consent, sexual harassment, and the abuse of power. It also underscores the importance of new legal provisions to protect victims of intimate image abuse and cyberflashing. As society continues to grapple with these issues, it is crucial to understand the legal frameworks in place and the psychological factors driving such behaviour. Addressing these problems requires a concerted effort from legal professionals, law enforcement, and the public to create a safer and more equitable environment for everyone.

If you witness or experience abuse of power, please get in touch with our sexual abuse specialists for an informal discussion.

Podcast on the story

In this episode, we delve into the complex issue of abuse of power, particularly in the context of sexual abuse and harassment cases.

The discussion is sparked by recent media reports involving high-profile individuals and explores the impact of power imbalances on consent and workplace dynamics. We examine the legal definitions and implications of sexual harassment, referencing notable cases such as those involving Harvey Weinstein and Max Clifford.

The episode also addresses the new legislation on cyber flashing and the broader societal awareness needed to prevent such misconduct. Join us as we provide insights into the challenges faced by survivors and the legal avenues available for seeking justice.

Related FAQ’s

Experiencing or witnessing abuse of power at work can be very challenging. Here are some steps you can take:

  1. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of incidents, including dates, times, locations, and any witnesses.
  2. Seek Support: Talk to someone you trust at work, such as a colleague, manager, or HR representative. If you’re a member of a trade union, they can also provide support.
  3. Report the Incident: If you feel safe, report the abuse to your manager, HR, or a senior leader in your organization. Provide them with your documented evidence.
  4. External Support: If internal reporting doesn’t resolve the issue, consider seeking advice from external organizations like Acas or Citizens Advice.
  5. Legal Action: In severe cases, you might need to take legal action. This could involve making a formal complaint through your employer’s grievance procedure or contacting the police if the abuse involves criminal behavior.

Remember, it’s important to prioritise your safety and well-being. If you ever feel threatened, don’t hesitate to seek immediate help.

Under UK law, several legal actions can be taken against someone who abuses their power:

Civil Claims: Victims can file civil lawsuits for damages caused by the abuse. This can include claims for emotional distress, financial loss, or other harm.

Criminal Charges: Depending on the nature of the abuse, criminal charges such as fraud, embezzlement, exploitation, or theft can be filed. For example, abuse of power by a public official can lead to charges of misconduct in public office, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Employment Tribunals: In cases of workplace abuse, victims can take their case to an employment tribunal. This can result in compensation for unfair treatment or wrongful dismissal.

Revocation of Authority: If the abuse involves misuse of a legal authority, such as power of attorney, the authority can be revoked. The abuser may also be required to repay any misappropriated funds.

Injunctions: Courts can issue injunctions to prevent further abuse. This can include orders to stop certain behaviors or to take specific actions to remedy the abuse.

Professional Disciplinary Actions: Professional bodies can take disciplinary actions against members who abuse their power. This can include suspension or revocation of professional licenses.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse of power, it’s important to seek legal advice to understand the best course of action.

The time limit for making a compensation claim is usually two years from the date the abuse took place. However, as these compensation claims are often sensitive, these times limits can often be extended, especially if there has been a recent police or other investigation. We can advise you on this.

There are different time limits, or limitation periods, for bringing a claim for compensation for sexual abuse suffered in childhood. Ordinarily, the time limit is three years from the survivor’s 18th birthday; so the claim should be brought before they reach the age of 21. Many if not the majority of claims are brought outside this time limit.

If the survivor is outside of the time limit for bringing a claim, it is possible to ask the court to waive the time limit or to extend it. Each request to waive the time limit is decided on a case-by-case basis. However, the courts are fully aware of the difficulties that survivors of sexual abuse have in disclosing abuse due to the trauma they suffered.

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).

Disclaimer: The information on the Hugh James website is for general information only and reflects the position at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. If you would like to ensure the commentary reflects current legislation, case law or best practice, please contact the blog author.

 

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