Daily Archives: July 25, 2016

Child Abuse Inquiry WILL Look At Children Illegally Transported To Australia

25 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in child abuse inquiry

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The nation’s Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse is getting ready to take testimonies from men and women as part of its Truth Project.

Over 2,000 people have contacted the Inquiry to say they suffered abuse as children at institutions throughout the country, with 600 already set to take part in the Project, which has been tasked with cataloguing decades of suffering.

We can also confirm that the Inquiry will be looking at abuse which took place when children were transported from the UK to Australia, and other Commonwealth countries as part of the now infamous child migrant programme.

Last year Researching Reform campaigned to have this area included within the Inquiry’s remit. You can read our article outlining some of the evidence on the child migrant programme, entitled “Lord James of Blackheath: I Helped Smuggle Children Used For Slavery And Sex.” 

In other Inquiry related news, reports have begun to emerge that the investigation into the late Lord Janner may be delayed by six months.

Preliminary hearings into the activities of the late Cyril Smith MP and Lambeth council are ongoing.

If you’d like to get involved or share information with the Truth Project, you can contact the Inquiry at: iicsa.org.uk/contact-us

IICSA July

Question It!

25 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in Researching Reform

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Welcome to another week.

Whilst the UK has begun to consider making reporting suspected child abuse compulsory, New Zealand is thinking about tackling the silence surrounding child abuse by paying for tip offs.

New Zealand is one of the most dangerous countries in the developed world in which to grow up, despite efforts by successive governments.

Every other day a child is admitted to hospital suffering from inflicted injuries, including burns, broken bones and head wounds.

Children NZ.png

In a bid to reduce the surge in child abuse cases across the country, the New Zealand police force has confirmed that it is looking at the possibility of offering money to people who come forward with information.

Those in favour of the initiative say it will break down the wall of silence surrounding child abuse, and ultimately save lives.

Those against the proposal are concerned that individuals with axes to grind could use the scheme as a way to exact revenge on others, that it could encourage informants to hold tips for ransom, and make leads potentially less trustworthy within a process which offers money for information.

Our question then, is just this: do you think offering money for child abuse tip offs could be an effective way to protect children from harm?

For further reading on New Zealand’s battle with child abuse, online newspaper Stuff, has produced a thought-provoking series called ‘Faces Of Innocents’, which aims to highlight the child abuse epidemic in the country.

Faces Of Innocents