By Michael Thompson, Founder of the Falsely Accused Network
March 28, 2025
The recent conviction of Nicola Murray represents one of the most disturbing cases of hypocrisy and betrayal in the advocacy world that I have encountered in my years running the Falsely Accused Network.
Murray, a 46-year-old who positioned herself as a champion for domestic abuse victims, has been exposed as a predator of the worst kind - one who hid behind a veneer of respectability while systematically terrorizing children over a shocking 20-year period.
On March 26, 2025, an Edinburgh Sheriff Court jury took less than two hours to find Murray guilty of 10 serious charges, including multiple counts of physical assault, sexual assault, indecent communication, and abusive behavior perpetrated against four children between 2002 and 2022.
The Devastating Pattern of Abuse
The details of Murray's crimes are nothing short of horrific. She sexually assaulted two victims by forcing her tongue into their mouths. She subjected children to inappropriate sexual conversations, including describing the size of her lover's penis and forcing a child to view explicit sexual images of a man she was dating.
Perhaps most shocking was her physical violence: punching, kicking, and slapping children; pushing one child down stairs repeatedly; dragging a child from a bunk bed onto the floor; and even restricting a child's breathing by smothering their face with a pillow. One prosecutor noted that Murray had "systematically physically, emotionally and sexually abused these children over 20 years."
The Mask of Advocacy
What makes this case particularly disturbing is that throughout this period, Murray was building her reputation as a domestic abuse campaigner. She founded Brodie's Trust, an organization supposedly dedicated to supporting women who lost babies through domestic violence. She even introduced a petition to create harsher penalties for abusers who cause their victims to miscarry.
Murray's petition gained such prominence that it was debated in the Scottish Parliament, with Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw chairing a full chamber debate in May 2024. The deception was so complete that she had lawmakers considering her proposals while she herself was an active abuser.
Red Flags We Must Recognize
This case highlights several dangerous patterns that I've observed repeatedly in my work with the Falsely Accused Network:
1. The weaponization of victim status: Abusers often position themselves as victims or advocates to deflect suspicion and gain access to vulnerable individuals.
2. Public persona vs. private behavior: A carefully constructed public image can hide monstrous private actions. Murray's public advocacy work served as the perfect cover for her abuse.
3. The silencing of true victims: It took twenty years before one brave victim came forward in 2022, leading to Murray's arrest. The power dynamic created by her public status likely contributed to this delay.
4. Institutional blindness: Organizations and government bodies must implement better vetting processes. Murray's petition reached parliamentary debate without her character being thoroughly investigated.
The Impact on True Advocacy
Cases like Murray's do immeasurable harm to legitimate advocacy efforts. They create skepticism toward genuine victims and advocates. At the Falsely Accused Network, we have seen how such high-profile abusers who masquerade as advocates can poison the well of public trust.
Every false advocate like Murray makes it harder for true victims to be believed and for honest advocates to effect change. This is why vetting and accountability within advocacy organizations must be strengthened.
A Call for Vigilance
As Murray awaits sentencing in May, having been placed on the sex offenders register, we must reflect on how to prevent such individuals from using advocacy as a shield for abuse. The jury's quick deliberation speaks to the overwhelming evidence, but we should ask: how many more Nicola Murrays are out there, using their public platforms to hide their crimes?
At the Falsely Accused Network, we believe that true advocacy requires transparency, accountability, and continuous scrutiny. We must listen to victims, even when their abuser holds a position of respect or influence.
The children who suffered at Murray's hands deserved protection. Instead, they watched as she was celebrated and given platforms while they endured her terror. This cannot happen again.
As this case moves toward sentencing, remember that the most dangerous predators often hide in plain sight, sometimes behind the very causes meant to protect their victims.
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*Michael Thompson is the founder of the Falsely Accused Network, an organization dedicated to exposing false claims while supporting genuine victims of abuse.*
Anyone falsely accused of domestic can contact us at our website www.falselyaccuwednetwork.co.uk or email support@falselyaccusednetwork.co.uk
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