North Wales scandals must produce legacy of listening
Keith Towler
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Listening to children and young people has never been more important. The need for strong leadership and vision, coupled with a cross-party approach to children and young people's services, is crucial. That was my message to the National Assembly for Wales' children and young people committee as I outlined my annual report for 2012/13 and reflected on the work of my office during the past 12 months.
One of the overriding messages of my annual report this year is the need to ensure that those who have a duty to protect children and young people do not lose sight of the common sense approach of listening and hearing what children and young people have to say and acting upon their concerns.
The past year has highlighted the importance of listening to the voices of children and reminded society of what can go terribly wrong when young people are not heard. Over the past 12 months, the severity of the much publicised historical abuse cases in North Wales care homes has reinforced the need to consider children and young people as rights holders and, more crucially, the need to listen and act upon their concerns.
One critical theme has dominated the work of my office - the issue of safeguarding. All too often the serious cases brought to my attention are a stark reminder of the severity of insufficient safeguarding arrangements, coupled with the fact that, often, the voices of children and young people are completely ignored.
During the past year, my office has worked closely with Operation Pallial and the Macur Review, ensuring that the victims of alleged abuse who were residents of North Wales care homes during the 1970s and '80s were finally listened to, and that the alleged instances of child abuse at the North Wales care homes were thoroughly investigated.
My office received a total of 99 cases. Forty-eight of these were directly related to abuse in North Wales homes, and 24 related to child abuse in other settings.
An opportunity to be heard
The claims of historical child abuse at children's homes in North Wales has shown how important it is to offer victims of abuse the opportunity to be heard and taken seriously. I said at the time that, when fresh allegations were being made in relation to the children's homes in North Wales, I felt there was sufficient concern to call for a wide ranging investigation. I am encouraged therefore that so many victims have felt empowered to contact the investigation team and that their voices are finally being heard.
Children need special care and protection.
A central focus of my work is to ensure that legislation, policy and practice recognises this and that any change to existing legislation that seeks to promote the wellbeing, and safeguarding, of children should be made in order to further promote the best interests of children.
The tragic cases we are all reading and hearing about in the media goes to show how we all have a duty to treat children and young people with special care and protection. We must all ensure that we respond appropriately to their views and experiences.
Victims and witnesses who have information about historic abuse can contact the Operation Pallial incident room on 0800 118 1199. Anyone who needs independent advice and support before contacting the review team should contact the investigation and advice officers who are on hand Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm, on 0808 801 1000.
Keith Towler is the children's commissioner for Wales
