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Latest
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26-02-2008:
Abuse of Children in Care in Jersey
The Care Leavers' Association has condemned failings in the child care system in Jersey that have led to one death and an ongoing investigation into widespread past abuse of children in care on the island. We have issued the following press statement:
The Care Leavers’ Association, the only organisation in the UK that represents all adults who were in care as children, notes with anger and concern, but not surprise, the revelations of a death, and widespread abuse, in the Haut de la Garenne children’s home in Jersey.
Many of our members are the victims of physical and sexual abuse in care in the UK during past decades. Despite several inquiries, there has never been a proper accounting for the abuse that took place across the United Kingdom in the twentieth century and there remain many unanswered questions. The Jersey case is the latest in a long line of abuse scandals afflicting the child care system in the UK.
We note the words of the former Jersey Health Minister, Stuart Syvret, that this discovery is “not surprising”. Nor is it surprising that both Senator Syvret and former care worker Simon Bellwood were forced out of their posts for doggedly pursuing abuse allegations on Jersey. Denial and cover-up have been a relentless feature of the history of past abuse in the child care system.
In the circumstances, the claim of the Jersey First Minister that “children today in Jersey are safe from this type of abuse” is complacent beyond belief. This was the same First Minister who led calls for the sacking of Stuart Syvret for his courageous stand in revealing past abuse.
We call for a Commission of Inquiry into past abuse in the UK child care system; the evidence of adults who spent time in care as children should be at the centre of the inquiry. We are not confident that current safeguards are adequate for protecting children from abuse, in Jersey or elsewhere. Until there has been proper recognition and acknowledgement by the State of the inadequacies of the past, there must remain major question marks over the present.
- Visit the 'Abuse in Care' section of our home website (www.careleavers.com or see the link on the front page) if you want more information on our views and on the history of abuse in the child care system.
21-12-2007:
Children's Homes - Photo Gallery
There is now a new gallery for the photographs of children's homes and memories from care sent in by Care Leavers' Association members and care leavers registered on CareleaversReunited. Click the link to view the Children's Home Gallery:
http://www.careleavers.com/content.php?cat=51&page=140
22-06-2007:
Searching for People From Eastry
One of our Careleaversreunited members is looking to get in touch with people who lived at Eastry home.
He is writing a book about his time there and would also like to hear from anyone who has any photographs of the place.
If you would like to get in touch, contact the Care Leavers' Association office and we will put you in contact. info@careleavers.com
01-02-2007:
Funding for Running this Website
The Care Leavers' Association, which runs this website, is
running a series of fundraising activities throughout 2007. We
are all care leavers and we understand how important this site is
to you. If you want to know more about us, go to
www.careleavers.com. We would welcome your support and
help. We are committed to keeping this site free to use.
However, it does cost money to run. If you would like to help to
fund it, or even to get involved in helping us to run the
Association, you would be most welcome. Just go to our website
and you will see the various ways in which you can donate to
support our work. We know that this website is unique and is
immensely valuable to you. Help us to keep it going and to make
it even better. Also, do get in touch with us and tell us what you
think about the site and about our work on behalf of care
leavers.
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