Jersey children's homes abuse scandal
Are you or do you know someone who is a survivor of these children’s homes in Jersey?
Tracey Emmott quoted in the Independent
Tracey Emmott quoted in Daily Telegraph
9th June 2008: Lawyers want special board to deal with Jersey abuse victims claims
2nd June 2008: Jersey attorney general quizzed on Pictons’ ‘redress board’ idea
31st May 2008: Call for redress board for victims
27th May 2008: Jersey police find more bone fragments at former children’s home
22nd May 2008: Teeth found at Jersey home ‘belonged to children’
21st May 2008: Jersey bone fragments could suggest homicide
Police are continuing investigations into allegations of sexual and physical abuse at Haut de la Garenne, Blanche Pierre, Heathfields and Greenfields children’s homes in Jersey. Some of these allegations date back at least 40 years. More than 100 victims have come forward so far to tell of the abuse they have suffered. A list of 40 suspects has been drawn up as a result of the abuse investigation and more arrests are expected in the near future.
So far 3 men have been arrested. A 76 year old former warden Gordan Wateridge at Haut de la Garenne who was originally charged with 3 counts of indecent assault after appearing in the Magistrate's Court on the 6th August has now been charged with a further 13 sexual offences against children. Claude Donnelly, 68 of St Brelade, appeared before magistrates on 30 April charged with raping and sexually assaulting a 12 year old girl between 1971 and 1974 on the island. On 2nd June Michael Aubin pleaded guilty at Jersey magistrates court to two counts of indecent assault on boys aged 7 and 13, and one count of buggery on an 8 year old boy at Haut de la Garenne.
A full public inquiry into the alleged child abuse at Haut de la Garenne former children’s home in Jersey is to take place. Jersey’s Chief Minister Walker said that the inquiry would take place once the criminal investigation had been completed. A leading English QC is to head the enquiry.
On a recent BBC Panorama programme some former residents of the children’s home said that they were considering suing the island’s government. Chief Minister Walker in his Liberation Day speech on Friday 9th May stated “A cloud has descended over us all and it is clear that it will not disperse until we have met the challenge it presents”.
Jersey has never encountered historic abuse on this scale, and its legal system is not necessarily designed to deal with civil claims of this nature. Victims of abuse at children’s homes in Jersey may be constrained in obtaining civil redress for their abuse because of limitations posed by Jersey law and difficulties with Criminal Injuries Compensation Board applications. A proposed option for providing recognition and justice for victims of the Jersey children’s homes would be to set up a Board specifically for this purpose. Our positive experience of the Irish Redress Board, set up to compensate victims of institutional neglect and abuse in Ireland, was such that a similar scheme for victims of the Jersey homes would seem the appropriate vehicle for civil claims to proceed. The setting up of such a redress board would be a clear demonstration of the serious view taken of the complaints of abuse in Jersey, and opportunity for the Jersey State to be seen to address matters constructively, openly and fairly.
Are you or do you know someone who is a survivor of these children's homes in Jersey?
Pictons' approach is unique. We aim to secure proper compensation for survivors of abuse and recognise the civil legal process as an important vehicle for recovery and healing. We offer a dedicated and specialist team of child abuse lawyers which can be distinguished by our professional and sensitive approach, links to appropriate support groups, and an individual approach to every client. The team leader, Tracey Emmott is a Panel Member of the Association for Child Abuse Lawyers.
Our Team:
Tracey Emmott Emma Anthony Sue Michael Sarah Stephen
If you have been affected or are a victim of any type of child abuse and would like advice on whether or not you should be pursuing a claim please contact Tracey, Emma, Sue, or Sarah.
The team recognise the sensitive nature of discussing a claim and will be happy to discuss any potential claim in complete confidence on an informal (and no charge) basis.
See our dedicated child abuse page here.
Tracey Emmott
Emma Anthony
Sue Michael
Sarah Stephen