It is reported in the West Australian newspaper (thewest.com.au) that clergy abuse victims  seeking redress for the harm they have suffered are protesting by way of a vigil outside Melbourne’s catholic cathedral. They want the “church” the report says to enter into dialogue: “Victim’s groups are united in their resolve to hold restorative discussions and conferences with the Melbourne Catholic hierarchy to this end”.

The vigil coincides with the Pope’s visit to Australia for “World Youth Day”. As discussed in a previous blog article the Pope is supposedly intent in repairing the enormous damage caused by clergy abuse, but how in reality this is to be brought about remains to be seen. In my experience victims are still confronted with closed doors and tightly bolted ones at that.

I am of the opinion that there is much to be said for victim power. It takes in my view a certain bravery to go public and protest, and by doing so it makes it much for difficult for the powers that be to ignore the victims’ claims, which in my experience is often the usual response. As that classic song goes: “the people have the power“.

Alan Collins

02392 492472

We have just settled all nineteen claims brought by former residents of the Children’s Cottages Homes. This was an institution owned and run by the former Portsmouth Corporation at Cosham. It housed children of all ages who were essentially homeless because of bereavement, illness, marital breakdown, and quite often because the parents could not cope with their large families.

The nineteen claimed that they had been abused whilst in care. The period covered the 1940’s to 1960’s, and the allegations were concerned with emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

If you were at Brownlows Children’s Home as a resident or worked there in the 1970’s could you please contact me in confidence.

Alan Collins

02392492472

Latest developments

I thought that I would comment on the latest developments in the Haut de la Garenne case given the recent publicity concerning the forensic investigation.

In some sections of the media doubt was being cast over the significance of the human remains that had been found, or not as was being suggested. I think it important that it is remembered that the home had been up running for over a century and would have had through its doors over the years hundreds of children. Like any institution of its ilk it will have its fair share of secrets both good and bad, and they are now being unearthed in every sense.

From the enquiries I have made, so far, it seems abundantly clear to me that secrecy was endemic at Haut de la Garenne, which would provide a cloak to mask any wrongdoing. We also know from other children home cases that such institutions provide unfortunately ideal conditions for those ill-disposed towards children.

I have now interviewed a number of witnesses in Australia as well as closer to home and they have provided supportive evidence in respect of the allegations of abuse that have been made in respect of Haut de la Garenne.

Alan Collins

02392492472

I have teamed-up with advocate Mark Temple of Ozannes in St. Helier to provide legal advice and assistance to those Haut de la Garenne victims who may feel in need of it.

If you are a Haut de la Garenne victim and you want legal advice we will be please to meet you.

Anything you say to us will be treated in confidence.

If you are unsure as to your legal rights or your position, or simply just do not know what to do, then it might be sensible to get advice.

We will be pleased to discuss matters with you.

I see reported in the media and, perhaps, deliberately timed to coincide with Liberation Day what could be interpreted as attempts (?) being made to downplay the Haut de la Garenne abuse allegations. This comes as no great surprise because in my experience there are always those who out of ignorance and/or fear who refuse to accept the reality of child abuse.

A common refrain is to question why the victims did not report the abuse at the the time. This is, perhaps, the stupidest and at the same time the most of unempthatic of questions, and when put to me, I point out, in answer who exactly was the child suppose to to report to? Moreover when the questioner is asked what would they have done had they been abused he/she usually has no answer, and duly tries to change the subject.

Another line is to say that the victims should not dwell on the past, but it is all very well for the non-abused to say that. A serious wrong can never be put right simply by ignoring it, and why should a victim be deprived of justice because their raising their plight is inconvenient?

In my experience any attempt to downplay the tragedy of Haut de la Garenne will only serve to invigorate those who are now seeking justice for the abuse suffered.

Alan Collins

To stand a chance of winning a sexual abuse case make sure that you instruct a solicitor who specialises in this type of case, because it is a very specialised area of work.

You need a specialist solicitor who will know how to guide you through the legal obstacles that are often in the way of victims trying to obtain compensation.

By all means come to us at Dyer Burdett & Co. We represent victims bringing claims who are scattered all round the world. But if you do n’t want to come to us then a good place to try and find a solicitor is be contacting ACAL (association of Child Abuse Lawyers) or APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) who maintain lists of lawyers who specialise in this area of work. We are members of both organisations.

I am investigating allegations of sexual abuse at St. Anthony’s Prepartory School which was owned and run by the Order of Friars Minor.

The allegations go back to the 1960’s, with the abuse primarily being committed in dormitories.

I have settled two claims, and am now working on a third, and so if you have information please contact me.

Alan Collins

02392492472

The Pope has apologised for the abuse committed by catholic clergy. This is to be welcome, but will his words equate to action?

I can only speak from my experience acting for abuse victims seeking redress from the Catholic church, and so far they have faced an uphill struggle. I have not found a willingness to say “sorry” to victims, or an acceptance that compensation should be paid.

Alan Collins

Contrary to the “apology” every trick in the book seems to be deployed to avoid accepting responsibility for the abuse committed, and so I wait with interest to see if this tiger has changed its spots.

I have linked-up with Jersey advocate Mark Temple of Ozannes to provide legal advice and assistance to those abuse victims who need it.

Abuse victims need to understand what their legal rights are.

Victims who wait too long before claiming compensation are sometimes barred from doing so. This could be very unjust, and so the risk of this occuring needs to be minimised. Get legal advice, and we would be pleased to talk to you.