02-27-2017, 02:49 PM
...And for our Antipodean members, he's another article that shows this type of
abuse has been tolerated for years.
IICSA child sex abuse inquiry public hearings under way.
'Former child migrants are to give "very emotional accounts" about the physical and sexual abuse
they faced, the first public hearing in the independent inquiry into historical child abuse in England
and Wales has been told.
Thousands of British children were sent to Australia and other parts of the British Empire up to 1974.
Inquiry counsel Henrietta Hill QC, said thousands faced "decades of pain".
A lawyer speaking on behalf of the UK government expressed "deep regret".
Ms Hill said claims of "systematic sexual abuse" in institutions and work environments would be heard.
The children, she said, were sent without consent of parents, wrongly told they were orphans, and denied
basic details about their family backgrounds during their future lives.
The first phase of the inquiry is looking at the way organisations have protected children outside the UK.
Thousands of children from poor families and the care system were sent to parts of the British Empire,
including also New Zealand, Canada and what was Southern Rhodesia.
Between 7,000 and 10,000 were moved to Australia after World War Two. They were recruited by religious
institutions from both the Anglican and Catholic churches, or well-meaning charities, including Barnardo's
and the Fairbridge Society, with the aim of giving them a better life.
Many, however, went on to suffer physical and sexual abuse in homes and so-called farm schools run by
religious orders and charities.
Allegations children were picked by paedophiles to travel abroad and claims of a cover-up are expected
to be made.
Aswini Weereratne QC, representing the Child Migrants Trust (CMT) support organisation, said this
"long overdue inquiry" would hear of a "crushing catalogue of sexual abuse, deprivation, violence and abuse".
She said the UK government "does not seek to defend" what she described as a "shameful period in the
UK's recent history"...'
SOURCE:
abuse has been tolerated for years.
IICSA child sex abuse inquiry public hearings under way.
'Former child migrants are to give "very emotional accounts" about the physical and sexual abuse
they faced, the first public hearing in the independent inquiry into historical child abuse in England
and Wales has been told.
Thousands of British children were sent to Australia and other parts of the British Empire up to 1974.
Inquiry counsel Henrietta Hill QC, said thousands faced "decades of pain".
A lawyer speaking on behalf of the UK government expressed "deep regret".
Ms Hill said claims of "systematic sexual abuse" in institutions and work environments would be heard.
The children, she said, were sent without consent of parents, wrongly told they were orphans, and denied
basic details about their family backgrounds during their future lives.
The first phase of the inquiry is looking at the way organisations have protected children outside the UK.
Thousands of children from poor families and the care system were sent to parts of the British Empire,
including also New Zealand, Canada and what was Southern Rhodesia.
Between 7,000 and 10,000 were moved to Australia after World War Two. They were recruited by religious
institutions from both the Anglican and Catholic churches, or well-meaning charities, including Barnardo's
and the Fairbridge Society, with the aim of giving them a better life.
Many, however, went on to suffer physical and sexual abuse in homes and so-called farm schools run by
religious orders and charities.
Allegations children were picked by paedophiles to travel abroad and claims of a cover-up are expected
to be made.
Aswini Weereratne QC, representing the Child Migrants Trust (CMT) support organisation, said this
"long overdue inquiry" would hear of a "crushing catalogue of sexual abuse, deprivation, violence and abuse".
She said the UK government "does not seek to defend" what she described as a "shameful period in the
UK's recent history"...'
SOURCE:
Edith Head Gives Good Wardrobe.