Child Sexual Abuse on the Isle of Man – Recent Developments Aug 2017
I wrote my first post on child sexual abuse in the Isle of Man in response to being told that there was a major cover up on the island, and that police and senior politicians including one minister were involved in the cover up.
For that post I collected the available newspaper articles, made a timeline and raised some questions.
- 2015 May 25 Child Sexual Abuse in the Isle of Man [4]
I originally intended to only write that introductory post. Due to the volume of child sexual abuse on the Island, the still taboo nature of child sexual abuse on the island and the obviously unsatisfactory position regarding the treatment for the victims of abuse, especially those triggered into post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by the police in “non recent abuse” investigations, I wrote the follow up posts.
- 2016 Feb 15 Cathy Fox Blog IOM Child Sexual Abuse Update Feb 2016 [5]
- 2016 Feb 16 Cathy Fox Blog Isle of Man: Counselling for Victims / Survivors [3]
Unfortunately since I wrote the posts, many of the IOM Today newspaper groups links and references that I used have gone dead.
It appears that local papers were bought out and have changed their website. If anyone can chase up the new company and find the new links to the old articles or what has happened I would be grateful.
The child sexual abuse articles are important as a historical record and should be archived digitally. It seems as though someone may need to go to the local archives and copy all relevant articles. We cannot rely on authorities to do anything.
I have not had time to keep a log of all the latest newspaper /online posts since my last post in Feb 2016. I have just collected a few that I can find in the last year or so.
If anyone has kept a log of corporate news articles or can do this in the future, it would do help greatly.
Recent Developments
I have not yet properly caught up with developments on the island. Please, if I get any parts wrong, correct me in the comments below.
Most recent local corporate media articles of the last months are here, as well as one direct from Tynwald
- 2017 Jul 11 3FM MHK wants children’s home abuse investigation [21]
- 2017 Jul 14 Isle of Man Online Children’s home abuse raised in Tynwald [31]
- 2017 Jul 18 IOM.com Child abuse: call for evidence [33]
- 2017 Jul 18 Tynwald Child abuse: call for evidence [34]
- 2017 Jul 25 BBC Isle of Man abuse victims urged to come forward [32]
- 2017 Jul 27 Manx Radio Sensitive approach to Knottfield investigation [30]
- 2017 Jul 30 IOM Today Inquiry into children’s home abuse scandal [48]
Equalisation of sentences for child abusers with the UK
Following a large petition signed by about 10% of the population of the island, from Lisa and Sadie in 2015, Juan Watterson promised that sentences for child abusers would be made equal to the UK in September 2017 after the election.
This has not happened yet. The very latest on this is a tweet from Juan Watterson to the Positive Action Group [17a] on 1 Aug, who says the “legislation I believe is with the AGs [Attorney Generals] to draft”
Many see lawyers as part of the problem, not the lack of them!
How long should it take to draft this legislation? The plan to was revealed over 18 months ago – 2016 Feb 3 BBC Plan to review Isle of Man child sex offenders sentences revealed [18]
Is this a delaying tactic by the Attorney Generals Office? It is a question of priorities and the Attorney Generals Office has obviously chosen not to make it a priority so far. Why?
The Attorney Generals Office is widely seen to be an obstruction to the efforts to rid the island of child sexual abuse. This is another action which reinforces that view.
Tynwald
In the general election in September last year, many of the “old guard” retired. Of the new younger politicians Tim Baker MHK [=Manx MP] was lobbied by constituents and brought a motion to Tynwald [=Manx House of Commons, Parliament]
Tim Baker put a motion to Manx Parliament, which passed, for a committee to carry out an investigation of child abuse at a children’s home, Knottfield, that closed in 1983. The committee has invited submissions by the end of this month, Aug 2017.
The Isle of Man Parliament resolved
“That Tynwald notes with concern reports of historical child abuse at the former Knottfield Children’s Home, which closed in 1983, and refers the matter to the Social Affairs Policy Review Committee to report by December 2017; and further instructs the Committee to investigate the adequacy of current procedures to protect from abuse children in care (looked after children) in the Isle of Man and to report in March 2018.” [34]
The Committee now invites written submissions from anyone who would like to comment on these matters with deadline of 12 noon on Wednesday 30th August 2017. Email is preferred but hard copy is equally acceptable.” enquiries@tynwald.org.im [34]
Social Affairs Policy Review Committee appointed by Tynwald are Mr David Cretney MLC (chair), Mr David Ashford MHK and Mr Martyn Perkins MHK.
Health and Social Care Minister Kate Beecroft is reported to have said [48] she felt the committee should not look into the abuse at Knottfield as this was a matter for police who had already investigated.
Either Mrs Beecroft knows what went on and she is trying to cover up, or she does not and should remain quiet in her ignorance. Her comments are distinctly unhelpful, and comments give exactly the wrong impression from a Health and Social Care Minister.
Many people may have thought a Health and Social Care Minister might have the interests of sexually abused children at heart. Children were raped and then it was covered up. I find it hard to understand those that do not want to let the truth come out into the open. Why would you not take the side of innocent, vulnerable, raped children, who have been trying to be heard their whole lives?
The police have already investigated and the truth is still hidden and covered up. That is exactly why the truth about child sexual abuse on the island should come out, and this investigation hopefully is just the start.
I am very glad Tynwald voted the way it did, and I applaud Tim Baker’s honourable stance in this difficult matter and for listening, believing and standing up for his constituents. This will be welcome change for those that have had to deal with abuse, cover up, lies, being attacked for telling the truth and had to deal with life where abusers get away with it and innocent victims suffer.
For the full Tynwald debate on Knottfield and voting, see Appendix Zero below or here is the pdf download – 2017 Jul 18 IOM Tynwald Knottfield debate [62]
For Tim Bakers comments in Tynwald also See Appendix 1
Unfortunately, I find the Tynwald website very hard to locate anything on and cannot find the amendment motion, discussion or vote after ten minutes searching [19] Others might have better luck.
Update 2017 Aug 4 Having now read the whole debate I see that Mrs Beecroft put forward a wrecking motion, that would have denied the investigation. Mrs Beecroft got a majority and would have succeeded if it had not been for a rule that if the House of Keys and LegCo (Legislative Committee) are in disagreement then it fails to carry.
Is is disappointing that the “Collective Responsibility” ministers were not more thoughtful, and respectful of the abused children and voted to keep child abuse hidden.
I think the majority of the public would want to know why the government ministers are not on the side of innocent abused children, and against a very limited investigation such as this.
Mr Malarkeys comment “I would encourage anybody who has had sexual abuse, present or past, to let our Police Force deal with it” is particularly crass and ignorant.
You do not “have” sexual abuse, it is not a disease or a handbag. You are an innocent child that gets raped or sexually abused by an adult committing a criminal offence. The effects last with the child for life and are hard to cope with.
Furthermore, the police have failed many survivors and even when that hurdle is passed, the Attorney General is failing even more.
In the child protection Hall of Shame and voting the same way as abusers would vote were
Mrs Beecroft
Mr Boot
Mr Cannan
Mr Cregeen
The Deputy Speaker
Mr Harmer
Mr Malarkey
Mr Peake
Mr Perkins
Mr Quayle
Mr Shimmins
Mr Skelly
Mr Thomas
Mr Anderson
So very many thanks to the following who voted to protect children.
Dr Allinson
Mr Ashford
Mr Baker
Miss Bettison
Mrs Caine
Mr Callister
Mrs Corlett
Ms Edge
Mr Hooper
Mr Moorhouse
Mr Coleman
Mr Corkish
Mr Cretney
Mr Crookall
Mr Henderson
Mrs Poole-Wilson
Mr Turner
Thoughts on the Investigation by the Social Affairs Policy Review Committee
I am not sure why the investigation’s Terms of Reference have been restricted to the Children’s Home at Knottfield. The Home was moved there from Glencrutchery Road, which suffered the same problems.
There was also a Children’s Home at Ramsey I believe. It would be good to find exactly what childrens homes were used and when, who was in charge of them and the records for each.
However this limited investigation of the Children’s Home at Knottfield is a very welcome start and huge congratulations and thanks to all those who got it going.
Potentially it is the most significant step so far to finding the truth about child sexual abuse in the Isle of Man.
“The Committee now invites written submissions from anyone who would like to comment on these matters with deadline of 12 noon on Wednesday 30th August 2017. Email is preferred but hard copy is equally acceptable.”
- I am disturbed that not much thought appears to have gone into making it easy for survivors and whistleblowers to contribute in whatever form is easiest or best for them. I think this is due to ignorance rather than done deliberately.
- Due to being raped as a child when other children were learning how to read and write, some survivors may find it easier to give their submissions by speaking not writing. Certainly the option should be open to submit a voice recording to the committee.
- It would also be useful if the committee were to take some evidence from people directly rather than via written or verbal recordings. It is only then that the magnitude of the impact of the abuse on the victim may be recognised and personally witnessed by the committee.
- Some people victims, survivors and whistleblowers may wish to submit anonymously for a host of good reasons eg their family may still not know about the abuse, their job may not know, they may not trust the committee, they may not be ready for even private disclosure at this time.
- Methods of contributing to the committees investigation by anonymous means should be spelled out and welcomed.
- It should be made clearer what confidentiality and privacy arrangements are. The various options need to be spelled out.
- What appears to be a general Tynwald email address is given out. This may not be as private as a dedicated email address. In case one is not, perhaps this may be better contact as an interim – Clerk to the Committee is: Jonathan KING Contact Tel: 01624 686303 email j.king@tynwald.org.im
Should YOU make a Submission to the Committee?
You should not make a submission if you feel it is not right for you.
You should not feel guilty about not making a submission. Also if you do make a submission, you should feel able to withdraw at any time if things get too much.
I know that many survivors have time after time taken the correct moral stance, telling the truth only not to be listened to, not to be believed, to be attacked for telling the truth. Trust has worn thin. They have been let down time after time, and seen their abusers get away with it and thrive whilst the survivor is left to suffer.
Disclosing the horrors of your child sexual abuse is not easy at any time. Most survivors disclose not for their own good, but to unselfishly ensure that what horrors happened to them, which often left them suffering their whole lives does not happen to others. The sacrifice they make for others is truly heroic.
Imagine having to relive the monstrous happenings, that have been locked away sometimes for decades. It unleashes a maelstrom of emotions that can never, never be hidden away again the same way. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) running rampant and inadequate treatment available is not a recipe for a happy, healthy stable life.
Each person must make his or her own decision whether they are in the right state and frame of mind at this time to submit what they know or part of what they know, and whether they choose to do it anonymously and what level of privacy and confidentiality they wish to apply to their submission.
If you can make some form of submission to the committee, I urge survivors and whistleblowers and anyone to do so. Each piece of evidence is another piece of the jigsaw, each person coming forward contributes to the light of truth shining through darknesses grip that has held sway over child sexual abuse until now.
There has never been a better chance on the Isle of Man to try and break wide open the issue of child sexual abuse. If this chance is not taken then there may not be another for years. The truth needs to come out about this vile scourge that has been happening in numbers unimagined so far.
Any response rate is likely to be a fraction of those children actually abused, less than 5% I estimate, for a variety of reasons. There would be more submissions if anonymous contributions were proactively welcomed. An anonymous contribution is much better than no submission.
It is also very important that witnesses to any of the cover up of the child sexual abuse should also submit evidence to the inquiry. The cover up was huge and so many people must know of it. If you know of any of the information listed under the cover up below of Mr X or Mr Y or Mr Z please help survivors by letting the committee know.
People may not even know that they were part of a cover up, they may have just gone along with what they were told and assumed it was legitimate. The number of people who knowingly or unknowingly took part in a cover up will be many more than abused, and your information is vital. Revealing the cover up is a major part of the revealing the truth.
I would also say that survivors or anyone should take this opportunity to send their stories of child abuse, even if the abuse did not happen at Knottfield.
It will give them an indication of the extent of the problem of child sexual abuse on the island and the authorities involved. It will mean that your story is entered into the official record, even if it not acted on in this immediate inquiry. Submissions of course can be anonymous.
Please feel free if you wish, to leave your story anonymously in comments on this article. You can state any actions you have taken, such as submitting to the committee if you wish there to be a public record of the fact.
Knottfield Cover Up – Mr X, Mr Y and Mr Z
What has been covered up?
According to Adrian Darbyshire of IOM online [31] who has consistently been the best reporter of child sexual abuse for a number of years gives the following account (The aliases Mr X, Mr Y and Mr Z , I have added)
- A man Mr X who worked at Knottfield in the 1970’s was tried in approximately 1992/93. He was convicted and sentenced to jail for abusing boys in care [31]
“Allegations of abuse at the home were first investigated in 1992-3 and led to a man being convicted and jailed the following year for sexually abusing boys in his care”
- A man Mr Y on the island who worked at Knottfield was the subject of investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Cleopatra [31]
“Knottfield came under the spotlight again in 1999 when investigations into a suspected paedophile ring in the 1970s and 1980s were launched after links to the island were discovered by Greater Manchester Police as part of Operation Cleopatra. The family protection unit appealed for information from former residents and staff at Knottfield.”
- A man Mr Z who worked at Knottfield was investigated recently by IOM Police. He has not been charged [31]
“Further alleged victims came forward in the last couple of years but the Attorney General’s chambers took the decision not to prosecute given the age and health of the suspect, who is now in his 80s.”
There appears to be no information about Mr X, despite the fact he had a trial and went to jail – why?
This leaves many questions. My knowledge of IOM is sketchy and I do not know various government departments, law etc, and so various questions may need tailoring to this situation.
Mr X Cover up 1990’s
Court
- Where is public record of all of this – the charging, the trial, the verdict, the sentencing?
- Why does there appear to be no public records?
- Where are the court records?
- When exactly was the trial?
- What were the dates of the trial?
- Where was the trial?
- Who was the deemster/ judge?
- Who were the lawyers?
- What were the charges?
- What was the verdict on each of the charges?
- What was the sentence?
- How many did children did he abuse?
- What time period was the abuse?
- What sentence was he given?
- How long did he serve in prison?
- Was he put/ is he on the sex offenders register?
- Why was he never named?
Police
- Who was the Senior Investigating Officer in charge of the Police investigation
- Who were the officers involved in the operation?
- Who else knew about it eg police typists, admin staff?
- Where are the police press releases?
- When did the police investigation start? How long did it last?
- How many people were interviewed? Who? When?
- Why did the Police not investigate the abuse properly?
- Who actually was interviewed from the children’s home?
- Why were all the children not interviewed?
- When were papers sent to the Attorney General?
- Who sent papers to the Attorney General (AG)?
- How many children did he abuse?
- Did Police find any other abusers at the Chidlrens Home, or charge them?
Attorney Generals Office
- When did AG office receive papers?
- Who dealt with admin?
- Which lawyers dealt with decision to prosecute?
- When was decision made to prosecute?
- What decision was made on what charges were to be prosecuted?
- What charges were prosecuted?
- What charges was Mr X found guilty of?
- What sentence did Mr X get?
- Did AG receive papers for any other abusers at Knottfield?
Media
- Where are the media articles?
- Who knew in the media, journalists, bosses and owners?
- Who was the court reporter?
- What journalists attended?
Childrens Home
Mr Baker said in Tynwald the Home was run by the Education Board [App1]. Childrens Home Board of Directors and staff must have known about Mr X leaving the reason.
- Who were the Board of Directors?
- What did the Board of Directors know?
- How many staff were there?
- Who knew what?
- When was Mr X sacked?
- When did Mr X stop being paid?
- Is Mr X receiving a pension from his time there?
- What records are available from the children’s home on Mr X?
- What records are available from the children’s home on children?
- What was the inspection body for the childrens home?
- What inspections were carried out at this time?
Prison
Many prison staff, officers and Governor must have known about Mr X
- Which prison did Mr X get sent to?
- How long did Mr X serve?
- Who was the Governor of the prison at the time?
Government
Various government departments must have known
- What did the Department of Education / Education board know, what records are there?
- What did Prisons Department know – what records are there?
- What did Police know- what records are there?
- What did AG know – what records are there?
- What did courts know – what records are there?
- What did social services department know – what records are there?
General
- Who ordered the cover up of the investigation, charging, prosecution, trial, sentencing, and imprisonment of Mr X for child sexual abuse?
- What was the date? It was sometime in the early 1990’s perhaps c.1991-4
- Why the secrecy?
- How did they arrange a cover up of several departments and hundreds of people?
- Was it an official cover up?
- How was the instruction relayed to all these other organisations and their staff?
- Was the cover up done unofficially by Police, Courts, Attorney Generals Office, Prisons, education Board, freemasonry, church, government or unspecified individuals, for as yet unknown reasons?
- Is there an official secrets act equivalent on the IOM?
As the above shows hundreds of people must have known – judges /deemsters, prosecution and defence lawyers, court administration staff, court ushers, court reporter, jury, Police Officers, Police Constables, Police administration staff, Attorney General and Attorney General staff, Prison Governors and staff, Education Board, childrens home bosses, owners, staff, government various departments, media – IOM Radio, Manx Independent, IOM Examiner, Manx Courier, reporters, journalists, and newspaper bosses,
Mr Y – Cover Up 2000’s
Operation Cleopatra was an operation about child abuse in 50 plus children homes Manchester and surrounds. Greater Manchester Police came to the island in 2000 [s], and IOM Police launched a probe and a hotline which had 7 calls [40]
Articles on Operation Cleopatra, including one from IOM
- 2000 Feb 21 FACT West Dudley MBC following up allegations of historical abuse [37]
- 2000 May 11 IOM Today Paedophile Investigation Continues [40]
- 2004 May 19 BBC News ‘Evil’ abuse social worker jailed [42]
- 2005 Apr 30 Manchester Evening News Abuse claims at care home [44]
- 2007 Mar 7 BBC Child home abuse group given £2m [36]
- 2007 Mar 7 BBC News Abuse scandal dates back 50 years [43]
- 2010 Jun 28 Local Government Lawyer Manchester City Council settles second set of historic child abuse claims [39]
- 2013 Aug 28 Manchester Evening News £1.7m payout to victims of Manchester care home abuse scandal [35]
“The probe was launched in May after links to the Island were discovered by Greater Manchester Police as part of Operation Cleopatra, a massive investigation into 350 alleged paedophiles” see Paedophile Investigation Continues [40] and Appendix 2
“The police Family Protection Unit appealed for information from former residents and staff at the Isle of Man Children s Home, Knottfield, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, which closed in 1983. A special hotline received at least seven calls.”
In my first article I wrote
“Abuse was investigated as part of Operation Cleopatra at Isle of Man Children’s Home, Knottfield, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, which closed in 1983 [40] Who was involved? What happened at the home? What happened in Operation Cleopatra inquiry?”
I now have some information, for which I am very grateful. I now add more questions
Police
- What was the information that Greater Manchester Police gave to IOM Police?
- What was the outcome of the Operation Cleopatra IOM investigation?
- Who was the Senior Investigating Officer on the Island?
- What happened in the IOM part of Operation Cleopatra investigation?
- Now many times did GMP travel to the island to talk to IOM Police?
- Who met detectives from GMP?
- Did the IOM Police send any investigators to Manchester?
- The Senior investigating Officer of Operation Cleopatra in Manchester was a Detective Supertintendent Roberts [23] – is this any relation to the current IOM Chief Constable? This needs to be ruled out as a routine enquiry.
- How many suspects from the Island were targets of investigation?
- Were any charges brought, if not why not?
- Did Mr Y have a previous criminal record?
- What did IOM Police tell GMP about any previous record of Mr Y?
- When was the hotline about this investigation announced?
- How was hotline announced and was said?
- What type people rang in? children from home, staff, public etc?
- How many children who had been at the home were interviewed or made aware of the hotline number?
- Did Mr Y travel to Manchester to abuse children?
- Were children taken to Manchester from Knottfield?
- Was any file sent to Attorney General, if not why not?
- If a file was sent to AG when?
- Were any charges brought against Mr Y?
- Did Mr Y face trial?
Attorney General
- Was any file received by AG?
- Were the AG’s office involved in any way in the investigation, case or advice about Mr Y?
Recent Police investigation of the Knottfield Case – initial thoughts
I am not yet aware of the nuances of the decision not to prosecute or when the decision was made. I am also dealing with a jurisdiction not familiar to me and with little information. So again please inform and correct me.
The authorities in this case recently did not charge, despite strong evidence against the man due to his age and medical condition for abuse at Knottfield [48]
Police
I believe the Police Protection Unit (PPU) investigate child protection cases and speak to survivors.
The Police knew the abusers age before they started. On interview they should have known his medical condition.
The Police action in approaching survivors cannot have done anything else but cause PTSD in survivors for which proper treatment and counselling was not available. This is totally predictable.
I specifically informed the police and the government that there was not the correct counselling available. The police must take into account whether the correct treatment is available for survivors that they approach, otherwise they are negligent. It is not sufficient to say we are doing our job investigating and medical help is up to someone else. [3]
Mr Z – Cover up? 2015/16/17
Police
- When did the police investigation start?
- Who was the senior investigating officer?
- How many ex Knottfield children were interviewed?
- How many people were interviewed altogether?
- When did police investigation finish?
- When was final file passed to AG?
- Was any advice sought from AGs office during the investigation? If so what?
- Was any advice sought on the likelihood of prosecution of a suspect that age?
- What charges did police recommend?
- What is the number of the form that police send to AG for charging?
- A copy of blank form would be useful
- Is Mr Z also either Mr Y or Mr X?
- Did the PPU take sufficient account of the damage that approaching survivors would them?
- What level in the PPU or elsewhere in the Police is this decision taken?
- Do the Police now take sufficient account of the damage approaching survivors would cause them?
- Did the Police take sufficient account of the likelihood of a prosecution proceeding before approaching more survivors and having more meetings with survivors?
- When is the likelihood of a decision being made to not proceed on age and medical grounds, factored into the decision made by police to contact survivors
- Do Police have discussions with the Attorney Generals Office, early enough in the evidence gathering process in order to avoid unnecessary suffering to survivors?
- Who is head of the PPU?
- How many officers and staff work for PPU?
- Have any officers and staff been drafted in temporarily for this investigation?
- How many person hours (approx) did the investigation into Mr Z take, only for him not to be charged?
Attorney General
I am unsure on how exactly the prosecution decisions are taken. I am assuming at present that the Attorney General takes the decision on whether to prosecute from a file gathered by Police.
The decision could be a correct one but the facts behind the decision remain hidden. The void of information makes it impossible to assess whether the decision was a correct one or was in fact child abuse being hidden again by an authority, the Attorney General’s office, widely seen by survivors as obstructive to child sexual abuse cases being brought and untransparent.
How it would be good if the authorities were as respectful to the medical conditions of the survivors as they are to abusers.
- Has the AGs office seen a medical report on Mr Z?
- Did the AG’s office order an independent medical assessment of Mr Z? If not why not?
- What is the general policy and guidelines on prosecuting people aged over 80 and / or with poor health
- What date did AG receive the final police file on Mr Z?
- What number form is this submitted with?
- Does AG have an evidential test and public interest test?
- Is age and medical history part of or separate to public interest test?
- When was number of form sent back to the police to say that no charges would be brought against Mr Z?
- Who took the decision not to prosecute Mr Z?
- Can the decision be reviewed or appealed?
- Is there any public information available to justify this decision, especially bearing in mind that the public interest must be strong in revealing as much information as possible due to previous cover ups?
- Given the public interest in the case, is it possible to give more details about the case?
- Did the Attorney General’s office decide not to prosecute against the opinion of police?
General
- How many more children were abused as a result of poor investigation in 1990s?
- How much more abuse were individual children subjected to as a result of the investigation which was poorly conducted in the early 1990s?
- Where are all the childrens records from Knottfield, Glencrutchery Road and other childrens homes that have been on the island since 1945?
- What childrens homes have existed since 1945, who ran them, how many children were in them?
- How many abusers abused children at Knottfield, before in Glencrutchery Road and at other childrens homes on the island?
My Submission
I shall deliver a submission to the IOM committee, and all my posts on child sexual abuse will be part of it.
It will be a difficult task for me to give the gist and details of what is happening without breaking confidentiality. There will be a difficult balance on what to reveal publically, what to privately submit to the committee and what not to reveal. Also it is hard to read between the lines of what people told me and extrapolating what they would now want me to do in this situation.
Most of my submission will be public, I will have to start writing it soon, but before that I will have post about Isle of Man child sexual abuse, which may well shock people and the authorities.
Help for Survivors
Survivors Group
The biggest help for survivors in my opinion will be for a survivors group to be formed. This will help by enabling survivors to speak about their abuse to others maybe for the first time. To be listened to and to be believed, with the same problems and issues caused by the abuse.
A group will also enable survivors to discuss things like the lack of healing, lack of sufficient help and therapy. It will help get a sufficient collective voice to stand up and make authority take notice of you. Together you are powerful, individually they will pick you off one by one.
Ask other groups in the UK for help if you need it eg Shirley Oaks SOSA, Nottingham Survivors, Medomsley, Islington Survivors Network[s]
I know some of the difficulties, particularly on a small island, but a survivors group is the biggest help that can happen for everyone. It is also something that survivors can do by themselves for themselves and authorities do not need to be relied on.
How does it a group come about? I am not sure how it will happen on the Island. It can start with one person getting in touch with another and that person could be you. Each action, each step to set up communication network between survivors is a step in the right direction. A virtual group may be a start.
Social media makes it much easier, and it will get easier now that major taboo of child sexual abuse has been broken through by Lisa and Sadie. It is still there but diminishing, with every article, every conversation, every person coming forward.
People will come and go, that is the nature of the survivors groups dealing with the problems that have been forced upon them. Nobody should feel it is a commitment they cannot walk away from, or have to keep on doing.
For those interested in child protection in the Isle of Man perhaps join Facebook group Child Protection in the IOM [41]
Those on twitter you can check #CSASurvivors for fellow survivors or check @CSAQT #CSAQT for CSA Question Time for survivors.
I am hopeful some tech wizard will develop an app with the necessary safeguarding for survivors who live near each other to be able to form groups and meet, maybe by only swapping email addresses at first.
Feel free to leave comments on this post.
Counselling
Has this issue yet been properly addressed since I drew attention to it some months ago? 2016 Feb 16 Cathy Fox Blog Isle of Man: Counselling for Victims / Survivors [3]
Proper child sexual abuse counselling is essential for survivors disclosing to the Committee. I doubt whether any counselling arrangements have been put in place, again through institutional and personal ignorance rather than deliberately. I hope the committee arranges something to quickly sort out their institutional unpreparedness.
Each of these barriers to disclosing abuse must be knocked down, hurdled over or got round to enable more people to disclose, to make it easier for people to disclose and to mitigate the negative effects of that disclosure.
Are police still contacting survivors, out of the blue, with only inadequate counselling available?
Are government now wanting disclosures to a committee without making adequate preparations for counselling to help with the tsunami of emotions that disclosure will release for victims and survivors?
Even the increased publicity given to child sexual abuse will cause distress to survivors that needs to be managed and further counselling staff should be being employed and/ or trained now.
One reason why institutions and people are not geared up to the needs of survivors or know how to help is that the topic of child sexual abuse on the island has been taboo. For most people it is an issue that they have not given much thought to nor want to think that such horrible things could happen.
Final Thoughts
For survivors and campaigners there is there is massive frustration at how slow progress is in acknowledging the scale of the child sexual abuse problem. Frustration at how slow people and authorities are to get a grasp of the problem and help the innocent victims of it.
Survivors crave to be listened to, to be believed, to be helped, for their hurt to be recognised, and perhaps for justice. Progress is so, so slow when you have to live a life with the everyday reminders of sexual abuse and PTSD intruding into your mind and life, sometimes when you least expect.
Having said that progress is very slow, in 5 years since the Jimmy Savile revelations, society in the UK has made great strides in acknowledging that child rape happens, baby rape happens, ritual abuse happens, trauma based mind control happens, abuse by women happens, all things unthinkable to people just a few years ago. There is still though a great deal of progress to be made in changing peoples attitudes.
In the last two years, on the island taboos are being broken, as when Lisa and Sadie bravely went public and now 2 years later the door of opportunity is ajar with an inquiry into Knottfield.
- Grab the chance
- Expose the child sexual abuse
- Smash the cover up
Each step in the right direction is an action worth doing. It may take us a million steps, but it needs to be done.
- Connect and join together with other survivors
- Submit your story to the committee
- Lobby your MHK for more help, for a wider inquiry, for an opportunity to tell your truth wherever you were abused and whoever abused you – childrens home, church, school, family or stranger.
- Get your story out, anonymously if necessary. Blog it.Add it to the comments here
- Ask Freedom of Information requests to all the authorities
How abusers get away with it
The majority of people are good, which is why we cannot even imagine why people could harm innocent, vulnerable children and babies.
However psychopathic personality is approximately 1% of the population, say around 600 people on the island. A proportion of these do become child abusers. These psychopaths can be very charming and talented people, unrestricted by morals, ethics or compassion.
Many of this personality also seek to get into positions of power, they love the adrenaline rush and ability to control. 600 psychopaths is more than sufficient to control the effective governing structure of the Island.
This is not just Government, but all the structures that we rely on to run our lives eg police, courts, deemsters, AG Office, social services, coroners, churches, schools, doctors, psychiatrists. Dont forget all the regulatory organisations. They only need key positions of power across the spectrum.
This helps protect the abusers. Child abusers also surround themselves with like minded people for safety and promote those who will not expose them when they leave power.
They use gatekeepers and enablers who knowingly or unwittingly aid the abusers in their abuse and cover up.
I don’t know what “secret services” or “special branch” are present on the island. In the UK they do not expose child abusers, they blackmail them into positions of power to be easily controlled in future.
They will not reveal the truth. They hide behind excuses, supposedly that it is not in the the “national interest” or against “national security”. They succeed as they are virtually unaccountable, and take advantage of our naivety and good will.
It is even harder to be one of the good Police and do the right thing, when strings are being pulled by corrupt police above your rank. Similarly in the Attorney General’s Office, a childrens home, the church or a school or any organisation.
Do you want to live in a country where raping children is accepted and covered up?
Do you want a country where abusers thrive and innocent children are left to suffer?
The majority of abusers and the enablers and gatekeepers are not dirty old men in raincoats. They can be pillars of our community.
Secrecy means abusers thrive. The truth will sort out the good from the bad.
Please blow the whistle on the abuse and the cover up, anonymously if necessary.
Time to pull the plug on paedophiles.
Thankyou
Timeline of some articles Feb 2015 – Jul 2017
- 2017 Jul 30 IOM Today Inquiry into children’s home abuse scandal [48]
- 2017 Jul 27 Manx Radio Sensitive approach to Knottfield investigation [30]
- 2017 Jul 25 BBC Isle of Man abuse victims urged to come forward [32]
- 2017 Jul 18 IOM Tynwald Knottfield debate [62] pdf download. Alse See Appendix Zero below
- 2017 Jul 18 IOM.com Child abuse: call for evidence [33]
- 2017 Jul 18 Tynwald Child abuse: call for evidence [34]
- 2017 Jul 14 Isle of Man Online Children’s home abuse raised in Tynwald [31]
- 2017 Jul 11 3FM MHK wants children’s home abuse investigation [21]
- 2017 Jul 4 IOM Today Number on sex offenders’ register revealed; Four UK sex offenders living here [66]
- 2017 Jun 26 Manx Radio Alleged assault on child at museum [47]
- 2017 May 16 IOM Today Breached sex order at church [49] Raymond Carl Butler, Prosecutor Barry Swain, advocate Stephen Wood, Church on the Rock in Prince’s Road in Ramsey
- 2017 May 15 IOM Today Man with more than 900,000 indecent images is jailed [46] Martin Andrew Cleator 900,000 indecent images of children. in Examiner on 2007 May 16
- 2017 Feb 15 Energy FM Douglas man charged with assaulting pupils at boys school [50] Douglas man Derrick William Cooper Underley Hall boarding school in Cumbria
- 2017 Feb 11 IOM Today Convicted Polish rapist could not be arrested in Isle of Man [51]
- 2017 Feb 7 IOM Today How did Poland’s most wanted man come to be hiding in Isle of Man? [52] Marian Dorobek
- 2016 Dec 15 Energy FM Manx juries to delivery majority verdicts [53]
- 2016 Jul 30 Energy FM Extra jail time for paedophile caught with pictures of children [55] Andrew Byrne
- 2016 Jul 15 Energy FM Police see 110 per cent increase in sexual offence workload The Public Protection Unit – which is staffed by six officers [54]
- 2016 Jul 12 IOM Today An independent review has identified lots of shortcomings in health services for women and children in the [56] n/a
- 2016 Jul 7 BBC Isle of Man sex law ‘wholly inadequate’ [57] Isle of Man Sexual Offences Act was last updated in 1992
- 2016 Jul 7 Energy FM Drug work stopped after rise in sex abuse cases [58]
- 2016 Mar 16 3FM Man charged with 11 sex offences to stand trial [59] Antony Carus
- 2015 Feb 25 BBC Peter Kewley: ‘Sexual predator’ has sentence appeal dismissed [60] Peter Kewley, Judge of Appeal Geoffrey Tattersall Deemster Anthony Cross
Appendix Zero (Apologies for formatting)
Published by the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald, Legislative Buildings,
Finch Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3PW. © High Court of Tynwald, 2017
T Y N W A L D C O U R T
O F F I C I A L R E P O R T
R E C O R T Y S O I K O I L
Q U A I Y L T I N V A A L
P R O C E E D I N G S
D A A L T Y N
HANSARD
Douglas, Tuesday, 18th July 2017
All published Official Reports can be found on the Tynwald website:
http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/hansard
Supplementary material provided subsequent to a sitting is also published to the website as a Hansard Appendix. Reports, maps and other documents referred to in the course of debates may be consulted on application to the Tynwald Library or the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office.
Volume 134, No. 13
ISSN 1742-2256
TYNWALD COURT, TUESDAY, 18th JULY 2017
1314 T134
Mr Shimmins: Thank you, Mr President. I beg to second and reserve my remarks.
The President: I put the motion. Those in favour, please say aye; against, no. The ayes have
it. The ayes have it.
35. Knottfield Children’s Home –
Referral to SAPRC for investigation and report –
Motion carried
The Hon. Member for Ayre and Michael (Mr Baker) to move:
That Tynwald notes with concern reports of historical child abuse at the former Knottfield
Children’s Home, which closed in 1983, and refers the matter to the Social Affairs Policy
Review Committee to report by December 2017; and further instructs the Committee to
investigate the adequacy of current procedures to protect from abuse children in care (looked after children) in the Isle of Man and to report in March 2018.
The President: Item 35, Knottfield Children’s Home. Hon. Member for Ayre and Michael,
Mr Baker to move.
6780
Mr Baker: Thank you, Mr President.
This is a difficult subject; it is not one that I bring to the floor of this Hon. Court lightly, but it does need tackling. As a modern, mature and caring jurisdiction, we must be both able and willing to deal with uncomfortable issues such as this in an appropriate manner.
6785 Hon. Members, the background is that Knottfield was a children’s home run by the then Children’s Board on the site of the Children’s Centre. It was closed in 1983. In the 1990s, as a result of a UK police operation, Knottfield became the subject of a historic sex abuse trial. One of the former employees was successfully tried and imprisoned for his crimes. He has since been released.
6790 Last year, additional complainants came forward and a police investigation took place. This included one of my constituents, who also disclosed his abuse to the Police at that time but chose not to make a formal statement. Whilst I understand that the evidence was strong, the matter did not, however, proceed to trial. I understand that this was primarily because of the age and medical condition of the accused.
6795 Those affected included my constituent and a group of several others known to him. This was many years ago, but the experience has had, and still has, damaging consequences for them; it is not something that has gone away. Yet, other than going through a formal police process, there is little in place to meet their needs. Many of the victims have had no opportunity for counselling, support or assistance to work through or to move on from the experiences that they
6800 suffered whilst in the care of the Government. They need to achieve closure and for this they need our help.
As Knottfield was run by the Education Board, it has been difficult to identify who to address this with. I have spoken at length with Clare Bettison, as she has current responsibility for this area within the Department of Health and Social Care, and with Paul Burnett as the Independent 6805 Chair of the Safeguarding Board. This has shown that the subject has not previously been raised in Tynwald and Government has not properly investigated or acknowledged what went on at Knottfield.
Despite the best efforts of the Hon. Member for Douglas East, Miss Bettison, and Mr Burnett, and their assistance, for which I am very grateful, no satisfactory outcome has been TYNWALD COURT, TUESDAY, 18th JULY 2017
1315 T134
forthcoming. I therefore determined to bring this motion before you 6810 today, but am mindful that this must be handled in a sensitive manner which does not cause further distress.
Hon. Members, the core part of this motion simply asserts that the issue of historic child
abuse at Knottfield Children’s Home needs investigating. There is little doubt that some children and young people suffered what can only be described as terrible abuse whilst in the
6815 Government’s care at Knottfield. They need to be given the voice that they have lacked to date.
Their stories need to be told.
An appropriate response from Government will be required so that they can obtain the
outcomes that they need. Referring this matter to the Social Affairs Policy Review Committee is
the right way, in my opinion, to ensure that this is achieved.
6820 The second part of my motion instructs the Committee to subsequently investigate the
adequacy of current procedures to protect children in care from abuse. This is simply to ensure
that our current procedures are fit for purpose and reflect current best practice. At a minimum,
this will confirm that everything is fine and that the lessons have been learnt. It may, however,
highlight further areas for improvement. If so, this will serve to reduce the risk of any similar
6825 problems occurring in the future.
Both parts of this motion are important and I therefore commend it fully to you.
Mr President, I beg to move the motion standing in my name.
The President: Hon. Member for Ramsey, Dr Allinson.
6830
Dr Allinson: Thank you, Mr President. I beg to second.
The President: Hon. Member for Douglas South, Mrs Beecroft.
6835 The Minister for Health and Social Care (Mrs Beecroft): Thank you, Mr President.
With the eyes of the world on Jersey recently, following the publication on 3rd July of the
final report of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry into the abuse of children in that island’s care
system, it is only right that we should reassure ourselves that children and young people in the
Isle of Man who, for whatever reason, are being looked after by the state are safe.
6840 As Hon. Members know, in the past we let down some of the most vulnerable children in our
care. We are well aware of the events that led to the 2006 report of the Commission of Inquiry
into the Care of Young People in the Isle of Man. The report was unflinching in its assessments of
the failings of the care system at that time and also of the broader failings of Government to
protect those who needed protecting most.
6845 Following its publication, a huge amount of work was undertaken to put systems and
processes in place to improve the standards of care for looked-after children in the Isle of Man.
This included the creation of a Safeguarding Children Board with an Independent Chair.
The adequacy of current procedures to protect children in care from abuse can be set out
clearly and I do not think that the Social Affairs Policy Review Committee of Tynwald needs to
6850 conduct an inquiry. Our arrangements today are very different from those applying in the 1970s
and the 1980s.
The Children and Young Persons Act 2001 introduced modern law and practice into our child
protection work. The Regulation of Care Act 2013 introduced a wide range of care standards,
including the vetting of staff working in children’s homes and the inspection of the homes by my
6855 Department’s Registration and Inspection Unit, which publishes its inspection reports.
In addition, residential facilities for children and young people are commissioned from
external providers and we have robust governance arrangements through contract
management. No current children’s home has failed an inspection. An external body, the Care
Inspectorate from Scotland, reviewed our services for children and young people in 2014 and did
6860 a follow-up inspection in 2016.
TYNWALD COURT, TUESDAY, 18th JULY 2017
1316 T134
Sadly, we know that child abuse took place at the Knottfield Children’s Home some years ago
and that a perpetrator was convicted and imprisoned. That home was closed over 30 years ago.
Whilst I understand and respect the Hon. Member for Ayre and Michael’s wish to have any
further allegations looked into, and indeed support that wish, I again feel that the Social Affairs
Policy Review Committee should not inquire into the matter. 6865 It is a matter for the Constabulary
and its officers, who are skilled both at interviewing and supporting witnesses with care and
respect and dealing appropriately with alleged offenders.
In addition, the Independent Chair of Safeguarding Board is proposing to carry out a review
to test the Isle of Man performance against the areas that the Jersey inquiry have identified for
6870 improvement.
I will close my remarks there, Mr President, and beg to move the amendment standing in my
name:
To leave out all the words after ‘That Tynwald notes’ and to insert the words ‘that allegations
of historical child abuse at the former Knottfield Children’s home were investigated by the Isle
of Man Constabulary and resulted in a prosecution; encourages all victims of abuse, historical
or current, to report their allegations to the police for investigation; and further notes that the
Island’s services for children and young people, including “looked after children” have
undergone independent review, including the 2006 Everall Commission of Inquiry into the
Care of Young People and the two Scottish Care Inspectorate reports into services for children
and young people in 2014 and 2016, and that the Island’s Safeguarding Children Board
provides rigorous and independently chaired oversight of all matters relating to the safety
and care of vulnerable young people’.
The President: Mr Malarkey.
6875 Mr Malarkey: I beg to second the amendment by the Hon. Member and just emphasise the
middle part and encourage all victims of abuse, historical or current, to report these allegations
to the Police for investigation. That is what they are there for and I would encourage anybody
who has had sexual abuse, present or past, to let our Police Force deal with it.
6880 The President: Hon. Member of Council, Mr Henderson.
Mr Henderson: Gura mie eu, Eaghtyrane.
I am a bit bemused here with what is going on. I am very supportive of Mr Baker’s motion –
200%! I can see why it is here, I can see why he wants the Committee to have a look at it, and I
6885 am sure that the maturity of our Scrutiny Committees will dictate that if there is any evidence
uncovered of anything untoward – I will put it like that – they will involve the appropriate
professional authorities to assist them and direct their proceedings accordingly, or halt their
proceedings if necessary and engage the professionals required if such circumstances came
about.
6890 I believe very strongly that any case of child sex abuse, those victims should be allowed a
voice, and that it is all very well for us here pontificating – and I mean that in a professional
sense – that we leave it to the Police and those who are qualified to do deal with it; people may
not want to come forward to a formal figure after a horrific crime such as this – they may feel
more comfortable talking in privacy or alluding or having a friend represent them in privacy and
6895 the more informal setting that a Tynwald Scrutiny Committee can provide.
It will then be up to the Committee, I would say, to handle what information they have
collected, as we have seen in the recent Social Policy Committee investigation into personal
capability assessments – that was handled with aplomb, privacy and confidentiality, and in a
very appropriate manner. So I am sure that this Committee that this is asking to be referred to
6900 can do the same thing. I have no question in my mind that they could not perform these duties.
TYNWALD COURT, TUESDAY, 18th JULY 2017
1317 T134
We have heard about the Everall report. The Everall report was into something entirely
different; it was to do with the double murder at Strang Lodge. It looked at that particular
circumstance. It did not look back in time, as far as I can recall – and I waded through it and we
have had the debates here. It was looking at very specific circumstances, systems and how we
could improve failings and so on. The Health Minister is correct: it w 6905 as unflinching and it pointed
out some very serious issues which, going forward, new systems have been put in place, systems
tightened up and so on.
But the point I made then with the Everall inquiry and the point I make now is no matter
what you do with putting systems in place, they are not perfect and we will always get, with
6910 whatever subject we are dealing with, the situation where we have tried in the past, changed
processes, changed procedures, and something else will invariably happen that was
unaccounted for, or some new or unusual circumstance, and then the process will begin again to
address that circumstance.
What I am saying, Hon. Members, is systems are not completely failsafe. I am not saying what
6915 we have got in place now is bad; I am just saying it is not absolutely failsafe. What I am saying
from that is if there is evidence where people have not been allowed to speak, tell their story, or
through a friend, then they should be allowed the right to do so, or for at least the Committee to
look into the surrounding circumstances or overview circumstances to see if there is a case to be
dealt with, if I can put that in parentheses.
6920 We have seen recent issues with regard to our systems in place where there have been
failings. Even with new systems put in place … least of all the front pages of our press this week
– I will not go into any further details. But I think Hon. Members will see the point that I am
making is you cannot account for all situations all the time, as best as we try, with our best
endeavours.
6925 I am not criticising any hard work that has gone into this situation, but what I am saying is
that I think particularly the victims of child sex abuse should be given a chance, if they feel they
have not – and we can offer them the chance, at the very least. Then if the Committee was to
look into the situation at least there is another doorway there for them; and that is what I think
is important.
6930 The amendment, to me, clearly closes that door shut. It is absolutely straightforward with
what it does and it precludes then if the Hon. Member for Michael and Ayre has a person or
persons who have a story to tell and, for whatever reason, they may not have had a chance
before, they may have felt threatened by authoritarian figures or the Police, as we find out … it
is just in their psyche, or because what happened has made them so frightened that they would
6935 not even consider it, we should allow a door to be open to those people.
Let the Committee assess it even in overview terms to see what they are dealing with, what
needs to be done, and I am sure our Scrutiny Committees – or their members – have
considerable experience and breadth of knowledge; and the Clerks, who obviously will be
attending that Committee, will assess what information is coming through or what is likely to
6940 come through, and the Committee and the Clerk, or Clerks, will come to a decision and
determination on that.
So, for me, Hon. Members, I am going to vote for the main motion. Keep the door open,
especially for such vulnerable people as this.
6945 The President: The mover to reply, Mr Baker.
Mr Baker: Thank you, Mr President.
I stand to reply to both Mrs Beecroft’s comments and the comments of Mr Henderson.
I understand why Mrs Beecroft, the Minister for the Department, has proposed the
6950 amendment, but it really does not address my concerns. I cannot and will not support it. She
says in one breath that she does not feel the need for the Social Affairs Policy Committee to
TYNWALD COURT, TUESDAY, 18th JULY 2017
1318 T134
review this matter, yet she indicates that she is confident in what is in place now; in which case,
why not let it be looked in to?
Her statement acknowledges that these issues happened. She said she supports my right to
bring this forward and the wish for it to be looked into, yet is proposing 6955 not to let that happen
by raising this amendment. Accepting the amendment would simply sweep the issue away and
deny what is being asked for here, which is an opportunity for these voices of vulnerable people
who were young and have been severely damaged by this experience. I think we, as a Court,
owe them their justice.
6960 In complete contrast, Mr Henderson’s comments. I really thank him for his comments. He
shows a complete understanding of both the situation and the sensitivity with which it has to be
dealt with, and the people who have been affected by it; and he gave a very clear exposition of
why defeating the amendment and voting for the motion is the right course.
So, in closing, I would reiterate: please, defeat the amendment, support the motion and
6965 demonstrate that we are an inclusive and caring Court, that we will listen to those whose voices
have not been heard, that we will stand up for what is right and that we are prepared to address
past wrongs.
Thank you, Hon. Members, on behalf of all those who have suffered injustice over the years
at Knottfield.
6970
The President: Hon. Members, the motion before us is at Item 35 and, to that, there is an
amendment in the name of the Hon. Member for Douglas South, Mrs Beecroft.
I put the amendment first. Those in favour of the amendment, please say aye; against, no.
A division was called for and electronic voting resulted as follows:
In the Keys – Ayes 13, Noes 10
FOR
Mrs Beecroft
Mr Boot
Mr Cannan
Mr Cregeen
The Deputy Speaker
Mr Harmer
Mr Malarkey
Mr Peake
Mr Perkins
Mr Quayle
Mr Shimmins
Mr Skelly
Mr Thomas
AGAINST
Dr Allinson
Mr Ashford
Mr Baker
Miss Bettison
Mrs Caine
Mr Callister
Mrs Corlett
Ms Edge
Mr Hooper
Mr Moorhouse
The Deputy Speaker: Mr President, in the Keys, 13 for and 10 against.
In the Council – Ayes 1, Noes 7
FOR
Mr Anderson
AGAINST
Mr Coleman
Mr Corkish
Mr Cretney
Mr Crookall
Mr Henderson
Mrs Poole-Wilson
Mr Turner
TYNWALD COURT, TUESDAY, 18th JULY 2017
________________________________________________________________________
1319 T134
The President: In the Council, 1 for and 7 against. The Branches are in disagreement,
therefore the amendment fails to carry.
I put the motion as set out. Those in favour, say aye; against, no. The ayes have it. The ayes
have it.
36. Swearing-in ceremony of the Lieutenant Governor –
Castle Rushen as venue –
Motion carried
The Hon. Member for Arbory, Castletown and Malew (Mr Cregeen) to move:
That Tynwald is of the opinion that the swearing-in ceremony of the Lieutenant Governor
should be held in Castle Rushen.
The President: Item 36, Swearing-in ceremony of the Lieutenant Governor.
Hon. Member for Arbory, Castletown and 6975 Malew, Mr Cregeen, to move, please.
Mr Cregeen: Thank you, Mr President.
The motion put before you is quite simple. If approved, it would bring any future swearing-in
of the Lieutenant Governor back to Castletown and Castle Rushen.
6980 Mr President, we have just celebrated Tynwald Day and celebrated our culture and our
heritage. We can rightly be proud of our heritage: the world’s longest continuous parliament;
the first place to give women the vote. This motion is not about the position of the Governor; it
is about reverting to past practice of swearing-in of the Lieutenant Governor to the place it has
taken place in since 1791.
6985 Mr President, I have spoken to the CEO of Manx National Heritage, who has plans to
refurbish the room and to promote it as a function venue. I have spoken to a Treasury officer
and can confirm no additional funding is to be allocated at MNH for this work, and it will sit with
their ongoing maintenance programme.
Hon. Members, this motion acknowledges that Castle Rushen gives the ceremony the
6990 gravitas that it deserves.
Mr President, this motion acknowledges the Petition from Colin Leather and Tony Brown. It
also has the support from Castletown Commissioners. I have spoken to the Speaker and he
supports it. I hope Hon. Members will support this motion. It brings back the ceremony to its
historical location and with no additional costs.
6995 I beg to move the motion standing in my name.
The President: I call on the Hon. Member for Middle, the Chief Minister, Mr Quayle.
The Chief Minister (Mr Quayle): Thank you, Mr President.
7000 In rising, I stand to second the motion. We have one of the best preserved medieval castles in
Europe in Castle Rushen, but we are a Manx nation steeped in history and tradition and it seems
incomprehensible that we should not use Castle Rushen for the swearing-in ceremony of the
Governor.
I attended the last … my first swearing-in of a Governor in the courthouse in Douglas and the
7005 facilities were nice and I am sure they were far less cramped than maybe it will be down in the
room in Castle Rushen; however, sad to say, it was totally devoid of character.
It is a unique part of our history. It should not have been thrown away, and I am more than
happy to back and second this motion.
Thank you.
Appendix 1
This is a difficult subject; it is not one that I bring to the floor of this Hon. Court lightly, but it does need tackling. As a modern, mature and caring jurisdiction, we must be both able and willing to deal with uncomfortable issues such as this in an appropriate manner.
Hon. Members, the background is that Knottfield was a children’s home run by the then Children’s Board on the site of the Children’s Centre. It was closed in 1983. In the 1990s, as a result of a UK police operation, Knottfield became the subject of a historic sex abuse trial. One of the former employees was successfully tried and imprisoned for his crimes. He has since been released.
Last year, additional complainants came forward and a police investigation took place. This included one of my constituents, who also disclosed his abuse to the Police at that time but chose not to make a formal statement. Whilst I understand that the evidence was strong, the matter did not, however, proceed to trial. I understand that this was primarily because of the age and medical condition of the accused.
Those affected included my constituent and a group of several others known to him. This was many years ago, but the experience has had, and still has, damaging consequences for them; it is not something that has gone away. Yet, other than going through a formal police process, there is little in place to meet their needs. Many of the victims have had no opportunity for counselling, support or assistance to work through or to move on from the experiences that they suffered whilst in the care of the Government. They need to achieve closure and for this they need our help.
As Knottfield was run by the Education Board, it has been difficult to identify who to address this with. I have spoken at length with Clare Bettison, as she has current responsibility for this area within the Department of Health and Social Care, and with Paul Burnett as the Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Board. This has shown that the subject has not previously been raised in Tynwald and Government has not properly investigated or acknowledged what went on at Knottfield.
Despite the best efforts of the Hon. Member for Douglas East, Miss Bettison, and Mr Burnett, and their assistance, for which I am very grateful, no satisfactory outcome has been forthcoming. I therefore determined to bring this motion before you today, but am mindful that this must be handled in a sensitive manner which does not cause further distress.
Hon. Members, the core part of this motion simply asserts that the issue of historic child abuse at Knottfield Children’s Home needs investigating. There is little doubt that some children and young people suffered what can only be described as terrible abuse whilst in the Government’s care at Knottfield. They need to be given the voice that they have lacked to date. Their stories need to be told.
An appropriate response from Government will be required so that they can obtain the outcomes that they need. Referring this matter to the Social Affairs Policy Review Committee is the right way, in my opinion, to ensure that this is achieved.
The second part of my motion instructs the Committee to subsequently investigate the adequacy of current procedures to protect children in care from abuse. This is simply to ensure that our current procedures are fit for purpose and reflect current best practice. At a minimum, this will confirm that everything is fine and that the lessons have been learnt. It may, however, highlight further areas for improvement. If so, this will serve to reduce the risk of any similar problems occurring in the future.
Both parts of this motion are important and I therefore commend it fully to you.
Appendix 2
[40] 2000 May 11 IOM Today Paedophile Investigation Continues https://theneedleblog.wordpress.com/operation-greenlight/isle-of-man/
INVESTIGATIONS into a suspected paedophile ring in the Island in the 1970s and 1980s are continuing.
The probe was launched in May after links to the Island were discovered by Greater Manchester Police as part of Operation Cleopatra, a massive investigation into 350 alleged paedophiles.
The police family protection unit appealed for information from former residents and staff at the Isle of Man Children s Home, Knottfield, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, which closed in 1983.
A special hotline received at least seven calls.
Detective Sergeant Richard Power said the calls had produced useful lines of inquiry which are being investigated.
The police have stressed the investigation is not linked to the Isle of Man Children s Centre, Woodbourne Road, a separate entity which opened in 1985.
Please note that victims of abuse may be triggered by reading this information. These links are generally UK based.
- The Sanctuary for the Abused [A] has advice on how to prevent triggers.
- National Association for People Abused in Childhood [B] has a freephone helpline and has links to local support groups.
- One in Four [C]
- Havoca [D].
- Useful post on Triggers [E] from SurvivorsJustice [F] blog.
- Jim Hoppers pages on Mindfulness [G] and Meditation [H] may be useful.
- Hwaairfan blog An Indigenous Australian Approach to Healing Trauma [J]
- Survivors UK for victims and survivors of male rape or the sexual abuse of men [K]
- Voicing CSA group [L] helps arrange survivors meetings in your area
- A Prescription for me blog Various emotional support links [M]
- ShatterBoys -“Male Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse Inspiring change, Through Shared Experience Whilst Building Connections…Together We Can Heal” [N]
- Fresh Start Foundation Scottish not for profit group, helping child sexual abuse victims & survivors [P]
Links
[3] 2016 Feb 16 Cathy Fox Blog Isle of Man: Counselling for Victims / Survivors https://cathyfox.wordpress.com/2016/02/16/isle-of-man-counselling-for-victims-survivors/
[4] 2015 May 25 Cathy Fox Blog Child Sexual Abuse in the Isle of Man https://cathyfox.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/child-sexual-abuse-in-the-isle-of-man/
[5] 2016 Feb 15 Cathy Fox Blog IOM Child Sexual Abuse Update Feb 2016 https://cathyfox.wordpress.com/2016/02/15/iom-child-sexual-abuse-update-feb-2016/
[6] 2015 May 25 Cathy Fox Blog 10 Steps on How to Research Child Sexual Abuse in your area – A Rough Guide https://cathyfox.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/researching-child-sexual-abuse-in-your-area-a-rough-guide/ Uses IOM as an example
[7] 2017 Jul 30 IOM Today Inquiry into children’s home abuse scandal http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=35081&headline=Inquiry%20into%20children%27s%20home%20abuse%20scandal§ionIs=NEWS&searchyear=2017
[10] 2009 Aug 17 IsleofMan.com Salisbury Street Methodist Chapel closes its doors http://www.isleofman.com/News/details/33059/salisbury-street-methodist-chapel-closes-its-doors-
[11] IsleofMan.com Childrens Homes http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/famhist/genealgy/chomes.htm
[12] Webcitation Archive http://www.webcitation.org/archive.php
[13] Methodist church in Britain Past Cases Review http://www.methodist.org.uk/ministers-and-office-holders/safeguarding/past-cases-review
[14] 2015 May 28 Methodist church in Britain Church issues ‘full and unreserved apology’ to abuse survivors http://www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/news-releases/church-issues-%E2%80%98full-and-unreserved-apology%E2%80%99-to-abuse-survivors
[15] Wikipedia Bishop of Sodor and Mann https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_of_Sodor_and_Man#List_of_known_Bishops_of_Mann
[16] 2016 Aug 13 Positive Action group Children’s Social Services – Will we ever get it right?” http://www.positiveactiongroup.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=602:presentation-childrens-social-services-will-we-ever-get-it-right&catid=34:pag-meet
[17] 2016 Aug 13 Positive Action group Children’s Social Services – Will we ever get it right?” http://www.positiveactiongroup.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=599:pag-event-childrens-social-services-will-we-ever-get-it-right&catid=34:pag-meet
[17a] IOM Positive Action Group webpage http://www.positiveactiongroup.org/index.php
[18] 2016 Feb 3 BBC Plan to review Isle of Man child sex offenders sentences revealed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-35477086
[19] Tynwald webpage www.tynwald.org.im Hansard will provide older debates, but more recent debate is temporarily held in “Order and Question Papers”Recordings have also been accessible for about 3 years on the “Listen” button at the foot of the Home page.
[20] Tynwald Child abuse: call for evidence http://www.tynwald.org.im/about/news/Pages/1769.aspx
[21] 2017 Jul 11 3FM MHK wants children’s home abuse investigation http://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-man-news/mhk-wants-childrens-home-abuse-investigation/
[22] 2017 Jul 14 Isle of Man Courier Children’s home abuse raised in Tynwald http://www.isleofmancourier.co.uk/article.cfm?id=34826&headline=Children%27s%20home%20abuse%20raised%20in%20Tynwald§ionIs=News&searchyear=2017
[23] 2013 Dec 5 WDTK Operation Cleopatra https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/operation_clopatra#outgoing-318072
[24] Wikipedia Neil Kinrade Manx Bugging Scandal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Kinrade#The_Manx_Bugging_Scandal
[25] 2017 Jul 11 3FM MHK wants children’s home abuse investigation http://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-man-news/mhk-wants-childrens-home-abuse-investigation/
[26] 2017 Jul 14 Isle of Man Courier Children’s home abuse raised in Tynwald http://www.isleofmancourier.co.uk/article.cfm?id=34826&headline=Children%27s%20home%20abuse%20raised%20in%20Tynwald§ionIs=News&searchyear=2017
[27] 2013 Dec 5 WDTK Operation Cleopatra https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/operation_clopatra#outgoing-318072
[28] 2010 Jun 28 Local Government Lawyer Manchester City Council settles second set of historic child abuse claims http://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2627:manchester-city-council-settles-second-set-of-historic-child-abuse-claims&catid=54:childrens-services-articles
[29] 2000 May 11 IOM Today Paedophile Investigation Continues https://theneedleblog.wordpress.com/operation-greenlight/isle-of-man/
[30] 2017 Jul 27 Manx Radio Sensitive approach to Knottfield investigation http://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/sensitive-approach-to-knottfield-investigation/
[31] 2017 Jul 14 Isle of Man Online Children’s home abuse raised in Tynwald http://www.iomonline.com/article.cfm?id=34826&headline=Children%27s%20home%20abuse%20raised%20in%20Tynwald§ionIs=NEWS&searchyear=2017
[32] 2017 Jul 25 BBC Isle of Man abuse victims urged to come forward http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-40717136
[33] 2017 Jul 18 IOM.com Child abuse: call for evidence https://www.isleofman.com/News/details/83590/child-abuse-call-for-evidence
[34] 2017 Jul 18 Tynwald Child abuse: call for evidence http://www.tynwald.org.im/about/news/Pages/1769.aspx
Operation Cleopatra
[35] 2013 Aug 28 Manchester Evening News £1.7m payout to victims of Manchester care home abuse scandal http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/17m-payout-victims-manchester-care-5794268
[36] 2007 Mar 7 BBC Child home abuse group given £2m http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/6426873.stm
[37] 2000 Feb 21 FACT West Dudley MBC following up allegations of historical abuse http://www.factuk.org/west-dudley-mbc-following-up-allegations-of-historical-abuse/
[38] Needleblog 3 articles https://theneedleblog.wordpress.com/operation-greenlight/north-west-england/greater-manchester/rosehill-northernden/
[39] 2010 Jun 28 Local Government Lawyer Manchester City Council settles second set of historic child abuse claims http://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2627:manchester-city-council-settles-second-set-of-historic-child-abuse-claims&catid=54:childrens-services-articles
[40] 2000 May 11 IOM Today Paedophile Investigation Continues https://theneedleblog.wordpress.com/operation-greenlight/isle-of-man/
[41] Facebook Group Child Protection in the IOM https://www.facebook.com/groups/childrensprotectionintheiom/
[42] 2004 May 19 BBC News ‘Evil’ abuse social worker jailed https://theneedleblog.wordpress.com/operation-greenlight/north-west-england/greater-manchester/rosehill-northernden/
[43] 2007 Mar 7 BBC News Abuse scandal dates back 50 years https://theneedleblog.wordpress.com/operation-greenlight/north-west-england/greater-manchester/rosehill-northernden/
[44] 2005 Apr 30 Manchester Evening News Abuse claims at care home http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/abuse-claims-at-care-home-1100057
[45]
[46] 2007 May 15 IOM Today Man with more than 900,000 indecent images is jailed http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=33644&headline=Man+with+more+than+900%2C000+indecent+images+is+jailed§ionIs=NEWS&searchyear=2017 Martin Andrew Cleator 900,000 indecent images of children. in Examiner on 2007 May 16
[47] 2017 Jun 26 Manx Radio Alleged assault on child at museum http://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/alleged-assault-on-child-at-manx-museum/
[48] 2017 Jul 30 IOM Today Inquiry into children’s home abuse scandal http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=35081&headline=Inquiry+into+children%27s+home+abuse+scandal§ionIs=news&searchyear=2017
[49] 2017 May 16 IOM Today Breached sex order at church http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=33474&headline=Breached+sex+order+at+church§ionIs=news&searchyear=2017 Raymond Carl Butler, Prosecutor Barry Swain, advocate Stephen Wood, Church on the Rock in Prince’s Road in Ramsey
[50] 2017 Feb 15 Energy FM Douglas man charged with assaulting pupils at boys school http://www.energyfm.net/cms/news_story_467229.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook Douglas man Derrick William Cooper Underley Hall boarding school in Cumbria
[51] 2017 Feb 11 IOM Today Convicted Polish rapist could not be arrested in Isle of Man http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=31883&headline=Convicted+Polish+rapist+could+not+be+arrested+in+Isle+of+Man§ionIs=NEWS&searchyear=2017
[52] 2017 Feb 7 IOM Today How did Poland’s most wanted man come to be hiding in Isle of Man? http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=31837&headline=How+did+Poland%27s+most+wanted+man+come+to+be+hiding+in+Isle+of+Man%3F§ionIs=NEWS&searchyear=2017 Marian Dorobek
[53] 2016 Dec 15 Energy FM Manx juries to delivery majority verdicts http://www.energyfm.net/cms/news_story_460861.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
[54] 2016 Jul 15 Energy FM Police see 110 per cent increase in sexual offence workload http://www.energyfm.net/cms/news_story_437917.html 110 per cent increase in their workload over the last 12 months The Public Protection Unit – which is staffed by six officers
[55] 2016 Jul 30 Energy FM Extra jail time for paedophile caught with pictures of children http://www.energyfm.net/cms/news_story_437568.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook Andrew Byrne
[56] n/a 2016 Jul 12 IOM Today An independent review has identified lots of shortcomings in health services for women and children in the #iom http://trib.al/z1zf9be
[57] 2016 Jul 7 BBC Isle of Man sex law ‘wholly inadequate’ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-36726072 Isle of Man Sexual Offences Act was last updated in 1992
[58] 2016 Jul 7 Energy FM Drug work stopped after rise in sex abuse cases http://www.energyfm.net/cms/news_story_436247.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
[59] 2016 Mar 16 3FM Man charged with 11 sex offences to stand trial http://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-man-news/man-charged-with-11-sex-offences-to-stand-trial/ Antony Carus
[60] 2015 Feb 25 BBC Peter Kewley: ‘Sexual predator’ has sentence appeal dismissed http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-35661392 Peter Kewley Judge of Appeal, Geoffrey Tattersall Deemster Anthony Cross
[61] 2017 Jun 20 Guardian The Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb speaks about childhood experience of abuse https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jun/20/bee-gees-barry-gibb-speaks-about-childhood-abuse born 1 September 1946, therfore abuse 1950. Was it on IOM?
[62] 2017 Jul 18 IOM Tynwald Knottfield debate https://cathyfox.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/knottfield-debate-180717.pdf
[63] IOM Family Search https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1784428
[64] Beecroft ‘joins contest’ for Isle of Man chief minister role http://archive.is/UOuA3
[65] Tynwald Members http://www.tynwald.org.im/memoff/member/Pages/default.aspx
[66] 2017 Jul 4 IOM Today Number on sex offenders’ register revealed; Four UK sex offenders living here http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=34560
[A] Sanctuary for the Abused http://abusesanctuary.blogspot.co.uk/2006/07/for-survivors-coping-with-triggers-if.html
Let justice be done though the heavens fall – Fiat justitia ruat cælum
cathy fox blog on child abuse 
Reblogged this on HOLLIE GREIG JUSTICE E mail holliegreigjusticee@gmail.com.
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Hi, yes i remember well. Thanks for offer , i wil be in touch. Essentially the most important thing is primary source material ie newspapers and do the equivalent for iom what spotlight did for uk https://spotlightonabuse.wordpress.com/
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Reblogged this on National Inquiry into Organised, Orchestrated & Historic Child Sexual Abuse.
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The whole thing is shameful,cruel and adds no confidence to those who have or are suffering. I hope this is not again swept away but properly dealt with. My thoughts are with you all x
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