London: Children and adolescents have been abused in transit homes for decades | More than 700 victims

A survey released Tuesday by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse organization found that since the 1960s, over 700 children and adolescents have been sexually abused while in transit shelters In the south of London. The events, according to the report, occurred under a “Culture of concealment” which involved center staff and counselors.

The research describes some of the five foster homes involved, in Lambeth, as “places of violence” plagued by violence and sexual assault. In the largest of the neighborhood centers, the Shirley Oaks (closed in 1983), a total of 177 workers received complaints of sexual abuse which involved some 530 ex-residents, some of whom testified for the inquest in June 2020.

One of the plaintiffs, who came to Shirley Oaks when he was nine, recalled during his testimony the cries of other children he heard at night. He also said that on one occasion he was photographed while being raped, an experience similar to that recounted by another former ward, who claimed to have been abused, also at the age of nine, by the teenage son of one of the caregivers.

Lambeth City Council, the report said, kept as adult employees who present a risk to any girl, which he avoided investigating when suspected of sexual abuse. In the case of Shirley Oaks, the survey notes, anyone in the community who expressed an interest in befriending the residents was accepted as a volunteer, without first checking their suitability for the activity. , which included playing sports and going for a walk.

After several years of abuse and complaints, however, only six of the defendants were ultimately convicted of child sexual abuse, remarca el informs of the independent investigation into child sexual abuse.

Late apology request

The “progressive” agenda displayed by Lambeth city council at the time of the abuses, regrets the organization, did not prevent them from proliferating within it. “harassment, intimidation, racism, nepotism and sexism”, against a background of corruption and “politicized” behavior.

This Tuesday, after the publication of the survey, the city ​​Hall issued a statement in which he expressed a “sincere and sincere” apologies to all victims and survivors who suffered abuse and neglect while under administration.

“City council takes responsibility for contributing to the conditions under which adults may have abused with apparent impunity,” said Councilor Claire Holland, while pledging that city council “continues to work” for improve the care of minors. .