TradCatKnight: Priests, teachers, coaches: Children’s home sex abuse survivors publish harrowing report
Striking Sex Abus Scandals
Some of the survivors described the harrowing experience at the children’s home, including alleged sexual abuse and beatings. Paul Annon, who was put into care with his brothers after their mother died, was only five or six years old when his abuse at Shirley Oaks started.
“A big man used to come into the room and sexually abuse me, and a woman would come in, but not at the same time – a couple of nights the man and then a couple of nights the woman,” Annon said.
“Then a few nights there would be nothing and you would get some sleep and then you would be woken up by your covers being taken off and – I won’t go into details.
“It was hard, it was really hard.”
The 51-year-old also said the abuse was on an “industrial scale” and the decade he lived at the home – 1969 to 1979 – traumatized him for life.
“Even now, today, I find it hard to sleep. I lie in bed sometimes and think ‘how could people do things like that?’” he continued. “I don’t remember many names, you don’t when you are five or six. It is only when I got a little bit older you know people and you remember things.
“I didn’t really understand it at the time and I couldn’t really talk to my brothers – I thought it was me, something that was happening to me. You blame yourself like it is your fault.”
Annon added that every time he attempted to warn people about the ongoing abuse, “it would fall on deaf ears.”
One of the founders of SOSA, Raymond Stevenson, said the report, which collected testimonies from 400 former residents, was “just the beginning” of a long campaign for truth and justice. Around 60 people have been identified as alleged abusers, including council employees, priests, teachers, doctors, swimming instructors, football coaches, caregivers, and volunteers.
“Our story will never be buried again,” he said at an event on Thursday. “I spent a lifetime thinking the abuse that happened to me was in isolation, but I now know it didn’t compare in any way to what happened to the people represented in this room.
“The abuse happened on an industrial scale… and we’re not going to give up.”
The group now numbers over 700 people, who allegedly suffered several forms of abuse between the 1960s and the closure of the home, also known as “Shirley Hell”, in 1983. More than 7,000 children passed through the facilities, and many more lived in similar Lambeth Council operated homes. The South London Council now faces having to pay out tens of millions of pounds in compensation to every person once “put at risk” as a child at Shirley Oaks.
Annon, however, believes that the fight is “not about the money.”
“There’s a lot of people out there who this has happened to and it stopped them from working, forging relationships, but it is about recognising what has happened,” he said.
“These people [council officials] have to take the brunt of their predecessors. I feel sorry for them in a way, but then who is feeling sorry for us?”
SOSA figures show at least 48 children dying in Lambeth care homes and 27 others dying later of suicide, drug abuse, alcoholism, or illness.
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
