Naomi Wolf pictured at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, 2019
Credit: Simone Padovani/Awakening
In the summer of 1860, a brave group of Victorian schoolboys, aged between 10 and 13, faced their abuser in court. Reuben Brascher, Leon Moresco, Samuel Penny, William Roberts and Theophilus Stock had similar stories to tell. Their tutor, John Spencer, 60, had locked them in his parlour, whipped them and subjected them to repeated violent sexual assault. Penny was lamed. Moresco was given a silver pencil-case. All were told to keep quiet.
When Spencer was taken into custody, he bit the arresting officer. A jury found him guilty of the offences against Brascher, and he was jailed.