Sexual violence and assault against older people in hospitals in England Amanda Warburton-Wynn
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Vine library | Online | Available | ON24100006 |
This research was inspired by a lady called Valerie Kneale. Valerie passed away in Blackpool Hospital in
November 2018, initially thought to be due to a stroke. However, a post-mortem examination found Valerie
had in fact died from internal haemorrhaging due to severe vaginal injuries. A member of staff from Black-
pool Hospital was arrested on suspicion of raping Valerie and also rape of another employee. At the time
of writing, the suspect has been questioned by police in relation to sexual assaults on other patients and
colleagues and has been released on police bail. Valerie’s case received very little media attention and
updates have mainly been reported in local media which is a stark contrast to the case of Sarah Everard
(2021) – also murdered by someone in a professional position of trust (although Sarah’s murderer was un-
known to her) – which gained national and international media attention and led to public demonstrations.
This indicates that, where the victim is an older person, less media and public attention is placed on the
case meaning the scale of the problem remains largely unknown. (Author's Introduction). Record #8999