Lawyer speaks out over Muslim school abuses

Richard Scorer, who has acted for many victims of abuse within the Catholic Church, claimed cultural differences are at the heart of the problem, with Muslim families feeling unable to speak out.

A recent investigation using freedom of information legislation showed there have been more than 400 allegations of physical abuse in England, Scotland and Wales in the past three years and 30 allegations of sexual abuse in the last two years.

But only 10 of the physical abuse allegations went to court, leading to two prosecutions and only three sexual abuse cases were pursued in the courts, leading to one prosecution.

Mr Scorer, a partner at Manchester-based law firm Pannone, said he is convinced the true figures are much greater.

“The madrassas or faith schools that young Muslim children and youths attend to learn the Koran after normal school are largely unregulated and extremely difficult to monitor,” he said.

The number of madrassas was increasing, he said, and it was almost impossible to know what went on behind closed doors.