Authorities have initiated an inquiry into past claims of sexual misconduct at Earl Spencer’s Maidwell Hall boarding school.
In a recent publication, the younger brother of Princess Diana revealed that he had experienced sexual abuse and physical assaults from a female staff member during his time at the boarding school.
Earl Spencer, who attended the school in Northamptonshire during the 1970s between the ages of eight and 13, detailed the incidents in his memoir.
Local law enforcement announced on Monday that they had commenced a criminal investigation regarding “allegations of non-recent sexual abuse” at Maidwell Hall School.
A spokesperson for the authorities mentioned that they are in the preliminary stages of looking into the allegations and are committed to exploring all leads to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.
Earl Spencer recounted in his memoir, A Very Private School, the harrowing experiences of abuse he endured at the hands of an assistant matron when he was 11 years old. The trauma inflicted upon him led to instances of self-harm as he feared the matron’s potential departure.
Reflecting on the disturbing incidents, Earl Spencer expressed, “There appeared to be an unspoken hierarchy among her victims… she would choose a boy each semester to share her bed with and engage in intimate acts.”
He further disclosed that due to the abuse he suffered, he had his first sexual encounter with an Italian sex worker at the age of 12.
Regarding this event, he now believes it was a result of the harmful attention he received from the assistant matron.
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Recalling his time at the school, Earl Spencer described it as “an utterly agonizing experience,” mentioning, “I frequently see enduring pain in the eyes of my former Maidwell peers.”
He added, “Upon leaving Maidwell, many of us carried within us deep-seated emotional scars.”
A representative for Maidwell Hall expressed their distress over the abuse allegations previously reported, stating, “We are deeply apologetic for these revelations.”
Addressing the historical context of the incidents, the spokesperson noted, “It is disheartening to learn about practices that were once considered normal and permissible during that era.”
“Numerous aspects of school life have significantly evolved since the 1970s,” they continued. “Central to these changes is the stringent safeguarding of children, ensuring their protection from any form of mistreatment, and prioritizing their well-being.”
Following the emergence of the allegations, the school has self-referred to the local authorities and urged individuals with similar encounters to come forward either to them or to the authorities.
