Jersey Police investigate child abuse allegations
By Derren Hayes on November 26, 2007 in Child safeguarding, Children
Jersey Police are investigating a series of allegations of historical sexual and physical abuse of children at institutions on the island, it has emerged. Their enquiries focus on Haute de la Garenne care home and the Jersey Sea Cadets and span a 40-year period dating back to the 1960s.
Police say eight people have contacted telephone helplines set up as part of the investigation, and that it has already gathered "valuable" evidence from a number of victims and witnesses. The bulk of the allegations relate to events that took place in the 1970s and 80s, occurring on premises run by the States of Jersey and voluntary groups.
A Police statement said: "The States of Jersey Police would like to make it clear that we have been assured by the chief minister that all state departments will give full co-operation to the enquiry and to date this has been the case. Full and valuable assistance has been forthcoming from the current management team of the Sea Cadets both in Jersey and the UK."
Earlier this year, a child protection inquiry was launched in Jersey after a UK social worker blew the whistle on the "Dickensian" conditions in Greenfields secure unit. Simon Bellwood told Community Care children as young as 11 were routinely locked up for 24 hours or more in solitary confinement. It is not thought this is linked to the latest investigation.
Officers are urging abuse victims to contact its historical abuse enquiry team on 0800 7357777 – or the NSPCC on 0800 1691173.
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