Care leavers demand a full apology

VICTIMS of alleged child abuse at former children's home Haut de la Garenne have demanded an apology from the States of Jersey. Jersey Care Leavers, an organisation set up by victims for victims, claimed its confidence in the investigation was at a new low.

The organisation was responding to recent comments made by Lenny Harper, the now-retired former head of the investigation. He claimed there was reluctance by the authorities in Jersey to pursue vigorously allegations in court.

JCL has written to Chief Minister Frank Walker asking for 'An unequivocal apology from the States of Jersey to all care leavers maltreated in any way by employees or agents of children's homes on the island'.

'Such an apology is to include an acknowledgement of the hurt caused and damage done to the care leavers and their loved ones. We require recognition by the States of its failure to protect its weakest and most vulnerable.'

The demand comes a little more than a week after Senator Walker claimed the Guernsey Press owed his island an apology for certain aspects of its coverage of the investigation.