Trust us, abuse victims assured
Wednesday 10th December 2008, 3:00PM GMT.
THE police made a final public appeal today for witnesses in the historical child abuse inquiry to come forward to assist with the investigation.
Alongside the senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell, when he made the appeal in front of the local media, were members of the Jersey Care Leavers Association who are supporting them with the inquiry.
Speaking at police headquarters, Mr Gradwell said that he wanted to repeat that the States of Jersey police were dedicated to fully investigating the allegations of historical child abuse made about the Island’s care system. ‘We would like to stress that we are trying to establish the truth,’ he said.
Mr Gradwell said that it was important that people who were in the care system, at places such as Haut de la Garenne, Les Chênes and other care homes, or people like staff who worked in the care system, came forward if they had information that may be relevant to the inquiry. It was understandable, he said, why some people had not come forward for a variety of reasons.
• Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 612642, or for counselling call Ray Alexander from the NSPCC on 0800 735 7777 between 7 am and 7 pm from Monday to Friday.
• Picture: Among official figures at the press conference this morning were, from left: Det Insp Alison Fossey, Eireann Le Poidevin of the Jersey Care Leavers Association, Det Supt Mick Gradwell, Caroline Modral of the JCLA and Ray Alexander of the NSPCC. Picture by Matthew Hotton (00605867)
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The victims of abuse in Jersey Don’t trust the police!!! They do trust Lenny Harper, Graham Power and Senator Stuart Syvret.
They don’t trust the government in Jersey and they don’t trust the press who in the pokets of the government.
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What is the point for the victims to come forward as the abusers are left to get away with it and go and live in France or even stay in Jersey?
They do trust Lenny Harper!
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Lenny was a man of his word open and honest but unfortunately higher bodies wouldn’t admit there were issues, people are very quick to point the finger to one person remember there were UK police involved who are highly specialist in this role.
Lenny was working for the people trying to get justice for them, even though he worked for the State, the States was only worried about its reputation the Island would get and how it may or would suffer from tourism.
Time to wake up and smell the heather and admit there was abuse in these homes and young innocent children suffered at the hands of these abusers who don’t get punished for there wrong doings it is time there was justice.
Be open and honest about what actually happened and let the victims come forward knowing that they are going to get full support and full counselling from the correct parties
I feel a public apology for the states should be made to these victims.
Senator Stuart Syvret is a man of his word and is doing all he can to get justice but again higher bodies are dismissing the important factor – the victims.
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What a foolish thing to say. Trust Syvret, Power and Harper! No wonder the people that need the justice are dissolutioned with their alleged supporters now.
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The British Public are inundated with graphic adverts of putting a ‘Full Stop’ to child abuse but the NSPCC like other agencies only learn of child abuse “after” it has taken place and a child lies in hospital with broken ribs or has fallen down the stairs or killed. Their disturbing advert says “this is child abuse”.” and then say they need more money. We say ‘rubbish’ grandparents with access can spot child abuse a mile off and it doesn’t cost a penny.
The horror of today’s news (quote) Three children killed by abuse in England EVERY week, Baby P probe, is proof enough and with all the money in the world thay are failing our children.
The NSPCC do a good job working closely with Social Services. You could say they are the charitable branch of social services. In fact every telephone call to the NSPCC helpline is recorded and in cases they deem as having the potential of “Abuse” are passed on to Social Services immediately. It is included in the small print of their “Privacy” facts published on their web-site.
The only people that have the best chance to recognise and put a “Full Stop” to child abuse are ‘Grandparents’.
They are the people with the insight into their own family’s nature and capabilities.
They would spot neglect signs quicker than any Social Service Department or organisation due to their special relationship with their Grandchildren.
Grandparents are not recognised in Statute as “Relevant Persons” are classed as not important enough to play a part in their grandchildren’s lives. They are often ignored when they do report troubling situations and concerns and are not entitled to be notified by social services when their grandchildren are in trouble.
A grandparent does not report abuse to social services lightly. Their fear is that social services will remove the kids altogether and statistics prove it is all too often the grandparents that are refused contact with them. This type of situation only ensures more suffering by the children due to complete separation from all family members, leaving the child unknowing whether they have caused this upset and separation.
Jimmy Deuchars
Grandparents Apart UK
22 Alness crescent
Glasgow G52 1PJ
0141 882 5658
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If you set aside the Haut de la Garenne investigation you will still have countless people who are telling us that they were physically, sexually and mentally abused.
You still have members of the civil service who have and continue to manipulate the situation so that others or they themselves are not implicated in those crimes against what at the time were young boys and girls who had already lived a life of abuse.
No wonder the people that need the justice are “disillusioned” with their alleged supporters now.
The victims of sexual abuse know only to well who to trust and “Who” not to trust.
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