It’s difficult at this stage to work out whether the Inquiry panel are simply devoid of common sense or just looking to profit from the process, but the news that the nation’s Statutory Inquiry Into Child Abuse is to hire a further 21 barristers is going down like a lead balloon.
Justice Goddard, the new Chair for the Inquiry has decided (we might assume with guidance and prodding from others in the legal sector), to hire 21 more barristers to help with the running of the inquiry. This does not surprise us, as we mentioned in an earlier post that the inquiry would become lawyer-centric in its next incarnation, with the vast majority of panel members now from the legal sector.
Not surprisingly, this has upset survivors and victims of abuse. Some are calling the move an exercise in profiteering, others a form of alienation which may well deter survivors from coming forward. Lawyers inside the inquiry have long been viewed as a domineering force within the investigation, so as far as PR moves go, this latest development is a disaster for the panel.
It has now become impossible to tell whether the forces inside the inquiry are well meaning or whether they are simply using the investigation as a way to carve out careers and profit from a historic inquiry which will be remembered for years to come – perhaps though, for all the wrong reasons.
What the inquiry must do now is explain its position. There is no mention of the decision to hire more barristers on the Inquiry website, no attempt at explaining the reasons behind the move – a massive faux pas on the part of the panel members. It doesn’t seem to matter how many times we highlight the need for openness and generosity in this process, the panel seems intent on behaving as if it is a law unto itself.
Our Statutory Inquiry is now teetering on the brink. If it wishes to remain relevant, and to garner the kind of credibility it craves, the current Chair and panel members will need to start focusing on communicating with their wider audience and show a softer side to survivors, and the world at large.
Researching Reform 
Reblogged this on National Inquiry into Organised, Orchestrated & Historic Child Sexual Abuse.
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Reblogged this on VICTIMS OF THE STATE and commented:
What is simple is: no barrister can work without a tick by his name from the government. As in the Musa case, they can throw cases – and how! 21 barristers can “muddy the waters” considerably regarding getting near the enormity of truth that should come out because of this so-called enquiry. A “fait-accompli” when alls said and done. Prepare to be fobbed off.
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If they want to get anywhere they should ask critics of the system such as Christopher Booker,John Hemming,Sue Reid,Denise Robertson,Jean Robinson (aims),and possibly “yours truly”, if they want a balanced picture
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Reblogged this on World4Justice : NOW! Lobby Forum..
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May I say this has all the same aspects as the Republic of Ireland child abuse inquiry which turned out to really only profit the legal profession and not the victims.
How many barristers have actual experience of child abuse themselves?
How many have had their lived destroyed by child abuse and then did their healing soul journeys to recover and join the legal profession?
I have spoken to many solicitors and barristers over 20 years and I have only met a few who speak child abuse language even. Most never actually listen or feel what victims of abuse are saying.
Many judge victims as odd and even liars and mentally ill because they do not know what CPTSD presents like. All that high pitch in voice, tears of uncontrollable sorrow when reliving the abuse of their inner child, etc etc.
There are only 2 in the legal profession who speak the child abuse language that i know of in UK.
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Looking at the crosses. I must dig out my picture from 20 years ago with my 2 children hanging on crosses and words explaining why.
I was told then that the picture would be needed in 20 years time. So you have reminded me. Thank you Natasha. I will forward it when I find it.
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Reblogged this on spidercatweb's Blog and commented:
Red logged frm research reform
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Reblogged on spidercatweb.files.wordpress.com
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Reblogged this on tummum's Blog.
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