Victim says abuse of boys should never be minimised as former teacher jailed
Deborah Franklin was jailed for seven years after being convicted of eight counts of gross indecency against the then boy during the 1990s.
A man who was sexually abused by his private tutor as a child has said that the abuse of boys should not be minimised or treated as less serious than that of girls.
His comments came after the sentencing of 65-year-old Deborah Franklin who was previously convicted of eight counts of gross indecency against the boy during the 1990s, while he was aged between nine and 12.
Franklin, who taught at a preparatory school in Hertfordshire, was in her 30s when she subjected the boy to “repeated sexual activity”.
The sex offender was jailed for seven years at St Albans Crown Court on Thursday by a judge who said her offending involved a “profound abuse of trust”.
The complainant – who is granted lifelong anonymity – said he hopes the case leads to “greater awareness that women can be perpetrators of sexual abuse and boys can be victims”.
He said: “I have carried the abuse with me throughout my life. It has been a constant shadow. Sometimes in the foreground and sometimes in the background, but always present. My life has been shaped by what happened to me when I was a boy.
“I hope this case leads to greater awareness that women can be perpetrators of sexual abuse and boys can be victims.
“Abuse of boys should never be dismissed, minimised or treated as less serious than abuse of girls. The emotional and psychological consequences can be equally serious and long-lasting.
“I also hope this case helps other men who experienced abuse as boys, particularly at the hands of women, to recognise that what happened to them matters. It is never too late to speak about it or to ask for help.”
In his victim impact statement, the man said the “over-riding memory of my teenage years is having no peace of mind”.
He added: “I came to understand that I was carrying a secret, a secret which was shameful and if people found out then they would be frightened of me.”
The trial heard that after Franklin began tutoring the boy privately, she would visit his house and invite him to hers.
The complainant viewed Franklin as “young” and “high energy”, who “presented like a mate” and spoke about drugs, cigarettes and sex, the court heard.
Prosecutor Gavin Pottinger said she was “trusted” by his family to be in the boy’s room during tutoring sessions, but added that she was a woman “whose boundaries were just not there”.
The complainant’s sister once saw Franklin under the covers of her brother’s bed, it was heard.
The court was told that during one sexual encounter in the garage at the complainant’s house, Franklin took off her clothes and asked “do you want to touch me?”.
On another occasion, at her own house, Franklin tied him to her bed, blindfolded him and tickled him, the complainant said.
The accuser said that during another sex act, Franklin called out her husband’s name.
Jurors heard that the complainant alleged the defendant described herself as his “girlfriend” but advised him to be discreet about others finding out.
The complainant first reported the incidents to police in March 2024.
Aisling Byrnes, mitigating, said during the sentencing hearing that Franklin lived an “exemplary life” and continued to teach in the years after the offences were committed.
She added that her client “maintains her innocence”.
Sentencing her, Judge Choudhry told the defendant: “(He) was a child… you were his tutor.
“Instead of protecting and guiding him you exploited that position for your own sexual gratification”.
He said her offending was “facilitated by grooming behaviour” adding that she used her position “to engage in sexual activity with him and normalised such behaviour”.
The judge referred to evidence from the complainant which “establishes clear psychological harm”, adding: “The consequences of your abuse have endured for decades and continue into his adult life.”
Ms Byrnes previously told the court that Franklin was no longer working at the school and had been involved with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) charity before her conviction.
Franklin of Radlett, Hertfordshire, had denied all the charges and claimed she could not remember tutoring the boy.
She will be subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.
Detective Constable Liz McGrath, who led the investigation, said: “From an investigative and safeguarding perspective, cases involving female offenders can present additional challenges because misconceptions and stereotypes about victims and offenders may discourage disclosure, delay reporting, and affect how victims understand and articulate their experiences.
“The impact of sexual abuse by a woman in a position of trust can be profound and life-long for male victims, impacting trust, relationships, self-esteem, anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms.”