to not understand why they want compensation? (warning JS thread)

[Justforlaughs]

I want to make it quite clear that I have every sympathy with anyone who has been sexually abused at any point in their life. However, in this case there seems to be no advantage to chasing compensation from a dead man. The money that he left had mostly been ear-marked for charities, including a heart research centre at Leeds hospital. I really can't see any reason why anyone would be asking for that money to go into their own pocket instead of benefiting people in need. (Gets ready for a pasting)

He got away with this abuse for so long because he hid behind the charities and it was always used as an excuse, lets not use it as an excuse for compensating people properly

What do you think would or should have happened to JS's estate if these allegations and evidence had been made public whilst he was alive, and he was found guilty which he very certainly would have been?

That he got to keep it all, and do as he wished with it, whilst the victims of his crimes were left to deal with it by themselves?

Very good point owl

Well legally speaking I would imagine that if the funds are already given away then they would not be able to be accessed for compensation. But I don't know this for sure. I think the institutions should be responsible where the abuse occurred on their premises. Eg. BBC, children's homes and so on.

i missed out the word not compensating people properly

god they were children it's absolutely disgraceful that this has been allowed to go on for so long, it makes me feel sick to the stomach. People need to be held accountable for letting it go on as well

I did read that some of the claims are being made against institutions eg BBC, Stoke Mandeville, Broadmoor, as they should be as they clearly failed in any duty of responsibility or care.

I agree. There are an awful lot of people culpable in letting JS's criminal and abusive behaviour go on for so long.

And 'not understanding why they want compensation' perpetuates the ideas that it wasn't so bad, they were different times, girls went to his room willingly etc.

It's absolutely frightening what has been allowed to happen, not only with this but with the care home abuse as well. It absolutely frightens me to death. My daughter has severe learning disabilities and is at a much higher risk of sexual abuse because of this and to think people witnessed JS sexually assaulting young girls who had brain injuries and disabilities who cannot even tell anyone and often don't have the capability to know it's wrong, it sickens me, absolutely sickens me. If these poor women want compensation then I have absolutely no problem with it. No one has the right to abuse another human being.

I am torn. I can see that by making a claim and having his estate pay out it would mean that his wrongdoing has somehow been "acknowledged" as he will (sadly) never have to answer for the heinous atrocities he committed.
However - no amount of money can put right the wrongs done to those victims. I (luckily) have not been a victim of abuse but I think I'd feel cheapened further taking money. It would feel like being "paid off". Certainly the estate could pay for counselling - but compensation? Just doesn't sit right with me really...

How can you claim compensation for a crime that's not been proven in court?

I'm not saying I disbelieve anyone but there is no way to prove it legally in court with him dead or is there?

It might not be about money at all but being recognized as a victim of abuse. They will never get to see him jailed,so its the next best thing in a way. A way to stand up and say what he did is never right.

"Wanting compensation" is a funny thing. I've had to sue(thankfully not for abuse). The money isn't the thing, at all. It is about there being recognition that you are right and they are wrong.

Look at the people who sue then donate the money directly to charity.

I can imagine feeling cheapened or paid off if the abuser him or herself offered me cash.

If the legal system decided I was entitled to it and awarded it, then it would feel like validation.

Maybe it's because I don't see any point in financial compensation for the majority of things. I don't think money can compensate for most events. Not for abuse, not for death or accidents that don't result in financial loss (eg. through earnings). I just really cannot see what benefit the victims believe they will get from this. Surely it would be a better use of the money to fund a charity to support victims of abuse or something?

Money can compensate for a lot if you have to pay for care or medical expenses. Do you know how expensive therapy is? Do you know what financial impact being abused can have on someone? How it can inhibit their life forever?

I think it's all very well to sit in a position and say well i wouldn't want the money, but that is too simplistic

Some of the victims of JS's crimes have suffered loss of earnings etc. Being abused has wide ranging and very significant effects on an life.

It isn't about 'getting the money'. It's about a judicial system acknowledging that you have been a victim of crime and that you are entitled to financial compensation. It's about the laws of the land saying that yes, what he did to you was wrong and a crime.

What people decide to do with the money is irrelevant to anyone else.

Maybe they can use it to pay for therapy?

I really don't know how the BBC is still here. When the news of the world was hacking people phone ect they soon shut down.

I can not belive the same hasn't happened to the BBC, they covered up an horrific crime and hid behind charities.

Why would funding a charity to support victims of abuse be a 'better' use of money than a victim of abuse using it to support their own needs?

Honest question. I don't understand.

Why do you believe their chief motivation is 'compo,' as you so charmingly put it?

I think that says more about your attitude to money than them.

the People who has been abused may have already got loans or in to debt paying for therapy, the money for them may pay off these debts.

of course money will not make things better for them or take away any of the pain they had suffered but their lives were changed but the actions of this man. they may have lead very different lives than what they have they may have not. i can fully understand why they want some form of compensation for what he put them through

They are entitled to compensation as a victim of crime.

How they spend it is frankly none of our business.

Do we know if the charities the money was earmarked for still want to receive it?

How you feel about compensation shouldn't take priority over the feelings of his victims.

And mh issues arising from such an experience could have had an effect on the earning potential of these people if you feel that's the only caveat for your feelings on compensation

It would be great if his estate could be used to set up a charity that supports victims of child sexual abuse and educates children about abuse. A nice big 'fuck you' to him, that his legacy is ensuring that bastards like him can't hurt any more children.