The independent Inquiry led by Lowell Goddard DNZM is encouraging witnesses to come forward to assist with their investigation.
The Inquiry which is government funded but entirely independent is looking into allegations of child sexual abuse connected to public bodies and institutions across the UK.
As the Inquiry comes to the end of its first 12 months, the investigation team still require people who have been abused to step forward and provide witness evidence about their experiences. They have commissioned a website for victims and their families to learn more about the Inquiry and how they can contribute to the process. Full details can be found here.
If you have been abused whilst in the care or charge of a public body - this can include care facilities, schools or other institutions, we would like to hear from you. PLEASE GET IN TOUCH by calling our helpline on 01423 593 002
Reports today suggest a number of police forces in England & Wales are buckling under the strain of a "staggering" increase in reports of domestic abuse.
Recorded cases saw an increase of 31% in the period 2013 to 2015, resulting from greater awareness and availability of support networks and helplines across the UK. Many of the crimes involve sexual abuse against a spouse or sexually orientated assaults.
Here at the Criminal Claims Bureau we see dozens of enquiries every month from women who are locked into dangerous relationships with husbands or partners who pose a threat to their life or to their children. The surge in reports comes as no surprise. However, one question that is often asked is whether the police will treat victims fairly and compassionately if they report the abuse. For the most part the answer is yes but we have heard many reports of mixed reactions from police forces in certain parts of the country.
In a report on protection of vulnerable people HMIC graded all 43 forces in England and Wales, rating 12 "good", 27 "requires improvement" and four "inadequate". No force was rated "outstanding". The four forces rated "inadequate" were Bedfordshire, Essex, Staffordshire, Surrey
3oo people involved in Operation Hydrant are said to be of celebrity status
The head of the police investigation set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal and the initial Yewtree probe has revealed a startling number of "famouse people" may be involved in the proceedings.
Operation Hydrant was set up to follow on the work started by Operation Yewtree, with specific focus on tackling organisations alleged to have been implicated in historical abuse cases. In addition to dealing with state institutions the probe also handles allegations against prominent people who have or once did have celebrity status.
More than 300 people fall into this category and it would seem that we are braced for further revelations about who may well be involved. Policitians, members of the aristocracy along with major celebrities are potentially implicated. There are said to be more than 2000 people under suspicion as enquiries continue. Incredibly the investigation involves 756 institutions or state organisations.
More revelations will follow as and when Operation Hydrant unfolds.
A report on Newsnight has revealed shocking abuse at a well known school for deaf children in London.
The Woodford School for Deaf Children which closed more than two decades ago, is at the centre of an expose by the BBC who cite serious allegations of abuse involving very vulnerable children. Many of the children were sexually abused in the early 70's by the head of the school Mr Eric Ingall, he continued to abuse children with the aid of his wife over two decades. You can view the Newsnight story here
Are deaf children more vulnerable to abuse even in todays society..? The programme asks serious questions about the welfare of vulnerable children in the UK.
The childrens charity NSPCC have put together some insightful facts and figures regarding the subject of child abuse and neglect in the UK.
In a revealing infographic the charities findings reveal a few startling statistics which make you wonder about where the police focus should be when faced with the huge problem of abuse in this country.
Around 90% of children who are victims of abuse suffer harm through someone they know. This suggests that all the money and resources going into celebrity abuse cases along with considerable budgets and focus, perhaps could be better targeted elsewhere. However well intended the investigations are, many family orientated abuse cases are potentially being neglected.
One third of children suffering abuse will not tell an adult. More than 14% of callers to the NSPCC helplines last year were ringing to discuss abuse.
More depressingly, the number of sexual offences against children reported to the police last year topped 36,000.
We can and should do more to fight child abuse in the UK. Police resources need to be correctly allocated and children living on fear in their own homes should not be forgotten.
Marie Black presided over what a judge described as a truly gruesome and systematic criminal child abuse ring that affected up to 5 children.
The Norwich based woman was said to be at the centre of a group of paedophiles who organised parties where the children were "passed around like toys". The court heard that over a 10 year period Black managed the abuse ring along with her co-accused. She had to answer 26 counts of child abuse related charges and was found guilty in respect of 23 offences. She will spend at least 12 years in jail with no option for parole.
The judge in an impassioned verdict suggested that the crimes were so heinous that Black deserved the heaviest sentence that could be levied by the judicial system. Six other people were tried but found not guilty of related charges.
