In an interview with BBC Radio Jersey on 23rd June I explained that the Michael Aubin case was an important step forward for the Haut de la Garenne victims in their fight for justice. This was because the evidence and sentence should put pay to those who were of the opinion that the allegations were false. Clearly by any standard all was not well at Haut de la Garenne.

 For reports on the case go to the BBC’s website at www.news.bbc.co.uk

Alan Collins

www.verisona.com

22.06.09

PRESS RELEASE

 Jersey abuse case solicitor says sentence is ‘vindication’ for victimsPortsmouth solicitor speaks out on Aubin sentence Alan Collins, solicitor-advocate for Portsmouth-based Verisona and who has acted on behalf of some of the victims in the Jersey “Haut de la Garenne” children’s care home case, says that today’s successful prosecution and sentencing of Michael Aubin is vindication for them.  Petersfield resident Collins, who has travelled as far as Australia in his bid to seek justice for his clients, said: “The outcome today puts paid to any belief that all was OK at Haut de la Garenne because clearly it was not.  What happened is tragic for all those involved and, hopefully minds will now turn to how best to make amends to the victims.  Many still suffer, considerably, as a result of what they had to endure and I am seeking compensation for those who have instructed me to do so.”

Were in the choir at St. Thomas’ Church (Newport I.O.W.) in the 1960’s?

If so, please contact me in confidence.

Alan Collins

02392492472

Were you at Winton House School (Winchester) between 1970 and 1973?

If so, please contact me in confidence.

Alan Collins

02392492472

Were you at Portsmouth Northern Grammar School between 1965 and 1968?

If so, please contact me in confidence.

Alan Collins

02392492472

It is excellent news that Michael Aubin has pleaded guilty to some of the abuse charges that he faced arising out of the Haut de la Garenne investigation.

Claims had been made that Haut de la Garenne victims had been lying on fabricating in some way, but this admission of guilt demonstrates that the decision to investigate by Jersey Police was well founded, and to subsequently commence a prosecution.

The admission of guilt in my opinion re-inforces the victims’ claim for compensation for the abuse that they suffered as children at Haut de la Garenne.

The case of Raggett and the Preston Catholic College has been widely reported in the media.

The High Court’s decision to allow Mr Raggett to purue his case is very welcome news for abuse victims.

As in the Raggett case abuse victims often have thrown in their faces, when they seek justice, by defendants the “defence” they they are out of time.

Abuse victims invariably in my experience wait many years before coming forward and seeking justice, and this often because of the effects of the abuse they suffered. It is very unfair that the abuse has this additional insult in that it continues to plague them by obstructing their ability to get compensation. There is something very unpalletable that defendants have this windfall enabling them to have chance at avoiding to meet the victims’ claims.

Fortunately in the Raggett case the court was prepared to exercise its limited discretion to allow the claim to proceed out of time. The Defendant’s claim that it was prejudiced by the “delay” does not appear to have been borne out by the evidence.

The case reinforces my opinion that for an abuse claim to procced there needs to be sound evidence, eg, documents and/or other other witnesses. If you can get evidence to bolster the claim then that may go along way to defeat a defendant’s arguement that it has been prejudiced by delay.

For more on the Raggett case I suggest you go to The Times (6th May 2009). There is also a piece by Ruth Gledhill.

Alan Collins

Tel.: 02392380112

I was pleased to see reported in The Australian today that the Church of England was providing assistance to sexual abuse victims. For so long there has been denial and rejection, but out of a ghastly story come some good news.

The newspaper’ headline was:

 THE child abuse scandal that forced an Anglican archbishop to resign, after two Adelaide priests blew the whistle on pedophiles preying on the Church of England Boys Society in three states, has led to the jailing for at least a decade of a former youth leader.

The article went on to state that Andrew Dawson-Ryan, 60, was jailed for 18 years on 17 counts of having unlawful sex with boys, indecent assault and gross indecency, with a non-parole period of 10 years.

Dawson-Ryan was the fifth former leader of the Church of England Boys Society in South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania to be found guilty of abusing childrenbetween 1972 and 1988

The newspaper went on to report that an Anglican church spokesman said assistance was being provided to seven of Dawson-Ryan’s victims. The church is hoping any other sex abuse survivors will come forward after hearing of yesterday’s sentence.

The church in South Australia has assisted about 80 victims, paying $4 million compensation, since churchmen Don Owers and the late Andrew King went public over the abuse scandal in 2003.

The pair had spent years unsuccessfully lobbying church leaders for an investigation.

Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide Ian George resigned in June 2004 after the church bowed to pressure for an investigation, which was scathing of its treatment of victims.

Judge Barrett said Dawson-Ryan had taken advantage of his position as a “trusted father figure” after taking the boys on camps and interstate trips.

Sentencing Dawson-Ryan, the judge said the former youth leader had not admitted his guilt.

“I do not know to what extent the community can be confident you will not succumb again to the temptations that led you to this offending,” Judge Barrett said.

Louis Victor Daniels was jailed in Tasmania in 2005 for sexually abusing 11 boys between 1976 and 1987.

Another former Anglican priest in Tasmania, Garth Hawkins, was jailed in 2003 for sexually abusing eight boys in the 1970s and 1980s.

Queensland resident Raymond Frederick Ayles was sentenced to four years in 2006 for sexually assaulting a boy while a leader of the society in Adelaide in the 1970s.

John Elliott, who ran a branch of the society in Tasmania before becoming a priest in Queensland, pleaded guilty in 2003 to 10 counts of sodomy and 18 charges of indecently dealing with boys in the 1970s.

For more on this story log-on to The Australlian’s website at: www.theaustralian.news.com.au/

If you want to discuss the case or anything elkse on my blog I will be pleased to hear from you.

Alan Collins

alc@verisona.com

02392380112

13th March ‘09

In December 2007, the Western Australian Government having expressed its regrets that abuse has taken place and recognized that many people continue to suffer as a result of the abuse they experienced as children in State care announced a $AD 114 million Redress WA Scheme for those adults who, as children, were abused and/or neglected in WA State care. Redress WA is designed to help people move forward with their lives and includes:

• an ex gratia payment
• an acknowledgement of the abuse and/or neglect
• an apology
• support to fill in the application form
• counselling services
• an opportunity to record their personal story.

The scheme is such that victims do not need to be a State ward to be eligible for Redress WA.It is recognised that money cannot make up for the abuse some people suffered in State care. An ex gratia payment is not intended to fully compensate but to assist with healing process and can only go to the applicant.Applicants may be eligible for an interim payment before 30 April 2009 if they have a terminal or life-threatening illness.A permanent memorial is being developed for people who were in care and its wording will include the experiences of children abused while in State care.On a personal level, applicants will be given the opportunity to formally record their own stories on their official files.

Further details of the scheme can be found at its website: www.redress.wa.gov.au

This is a model that is to be applauded. It is an enlightended way of addressing the needs of abuse victims and society at large.

Litigation is often for victms yet another insult, and so a redress scheme that avoids this is welcome.

 I hope that other governments take note and act.

Alan Collins

Tel.: 02392380112

I am still looking for witnesses you are prepared to talk to me about the allegations of abuse at William Henry Smith School during the 1970’s and 80’s.

Lots of former pupils have come forward but I wonder if we are still not getting the entire picture as to the full extent of the abuse?

 West Yorkshire Ppolice are now investigating the allegations which is excellent news. If you have information you should obviously speak to them.

I hope to hear from you and am of course willing to talk to you in confidence.

My telephone number is: 02392 380112 or 02392 492472

Or contact me by e-mail on: alc@verisona.com