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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

A truly independent enquiry into child sex abuse ?

166 replies

Whitershadeofpale · 10/07/2014 22:50

I've been following and to some extent contributing to the current threads about the links between the establishment and paedophile rings/ cover ups.

Like lots of others I'm angry; angry that this has happened and even more angry that the proposed investigation places at it's head someone with links to the same culture of abuse and coverups that she is meant to expose. Please consider a mumsnet campaign to try and secure a truly independent review into this in a similar vein to the Hillsborough enquiry.

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sittingatmydeskagain · 11/07/2014 11:55

Oh, and I've forwarded a link of this thread to Tom Watson via Facebook.

Whitershadeofpale · 11/07/2014 12:04

I've just emailed this to my MP in case anyone wants something they can tweak.

Dear Heidi Alexander ,

I am writing it you concerning the appointment of Baroness Butler-Sloss to lead the investigation into child sex abuse. I have, as I'm sure do many grave concerns about her suitability.

Like lots of others I'm extremely disappointed and flabagasted that the proposed investigation places at it's head someone with links to the same culture of abuse and coverups that she is meant to expose. Please consider a using your position to try and secure a truly independent review into this in a similar vein to the Hillsborough enquiry.

Yours sincerely,

Whitershadeofpale

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ShineSmile · 11/07/2014 12:13

I agree.

Wannabestepfordwife · 11/07/2014 12:13

Have started a thread on aibu directing people here.

Whitershadeofpale · 11/07/2014 12:15

Thanks wannabe

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Whitershadeofpale · 11/07/2014 12:18

I've shared this thread on the mumsnetters Facebook page.

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MrsRTea · 11/07/2014 12:21

The Hillsborough comparison is a good one.

We would prefer not to wait as long as the Hillsborough campaign has had to for the truth to come out and the elaborate cover-up to be revealed for what it was.

WhistlingPot · 11/07/2014 12:52

Absolutely MrsRTea.

applecatchers36 · 11/07/2014 12:57

I agree

WhistlingPot · 11/07/2014 13:01

Does the campaign also ask for the entire Cleveland enquiry to be redone?

I find it shocking, for I remember that well, and remember praise, not condemnation, for her role and attitude.

AuntieStella, in short no.

I'm not aware Butler-Sloss had any personally conflicting interests in the Cleveland Inquiry, such as a close family member in a most powerful position at the time the investigation related to.

It's worth emphasizing, as has already been done on several threads, that for victims who have been abused by the State, if this inquiry is to mean anything, it must be absolutely transparent, independent and seamless.

There is not enough reassurance coming from either Butler-Sloss or the government to alleviate people's concerns around this.

The Guardian has also run this piece: www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/09/butler-sloss-inquiry-role-asked-to-step-down; and I agree with Alison Millar:

Alison Millar, a lawyer with Leigh Day, who is representing some of the victims of child abuse, likened the appointment of Butler-Sloss to asking a relative of the head of South Yorkshire police to chair the Hillsborough enquiry. Millar told The World at One on BBC Radio 4: "Baroness Butler-Sloss is an extremely eminent legal figure with a very distinguished career. However, it has become apparent that she has very close connections to the very establishment this inquiry will be investigating – namely her brother.

"To give an analogy, it would be rather like appointing someone who was a close relative of the head of South Yorkshire police, however eminent a judge, to chair the Hillsborough inquiry. [The inquiry] will lose credibility.
"Picking someone who will be seen at the start potentially by survivors as someone who is very much of the establishment, linked to the establishment at the time, is not going to give people any confidence to come forward and be frank and fearless in front of this inquiry."<

I have probably spent far too much time trying to support people (and sometimes failing) who can see no option other than to take their own lives to end their pain, due to being abused and rinsed out by failures in the system, who take with them through life such immense trust issues, the shadows of which cast shadows blacker than any you can imagine.

Even if Butler-Sloss does the best job possible to the satisfaction of MPs etc, but which fails to find anything significant, her familial links will always leave a question mark for the survivors to how much this influenced the outcome. Any chink of light in victims’ darkness will be effectively extinguished.

GarlicJulyKit · 11/07/2014 13:31

Wrote to my MP, too. I want to stress that I'm not doubting Butler-Sloss's intentions. I don't know her intentions. But her record concerning paedophilia, and her personal connections, render her unsuitable for this task. I have sufficient inside knowledge to be aware the problem is incredibly widespread. It's organised both formally and informally; it implicates our governors, law enforcers, and media. Victims and whistleblowers know this, and know they have good reason to be afraid. They can't be assured of protection by a Judge who is 'part of the problem'.

I'll throw in an observation that the same individuals who enjoy sexually abusing children, also tend to abuse young women and, in some cases, young men. Blowing the child abuse system open will also protect potential rape victims.

WhistlingPot · 11/07/2014 13:47

It's scary stuff, Garlic. Especially when you see rape and sexual abuse centres disappearing left, right and centre, and those that are left with waiting lists so long, or so difficult to get to, often survivors give up hope in the mean time.

WhistlingPot · 11/07/2014 13:51

Sorry to seem so incredibly bleak. I am hopeful that if the masses stay tuned in to these issues, and don't accept anything but the best, most rigorous investigations, hopefully we will start seeing some more positive outcomes.

GarlicJulyKit · 11/07/2014 14:07

Yes. Difficulty is that this is one of those things where most people want to go "No! Surely not?!" and change the subject. Think about Savile - he actually bragged about it in his biography, and everyone told themselves he was joking.

It needs to be persistently pushed, for as long as it takes.

Stratter5 · 11/07/2014 17:01

Also agree

IndiansInTheLobby · 11/07/2014 19:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Whitershadeofpale · 11/07/2014 20:18

Quick bump for the evening crowds.

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Whitershadeofpale · 11/07/2014 21:19

I'm going to start tweeting, how about:

Justice for victims of establishment child sex abuse will only be reached with an impartial, full enquiry #notob-s pls rt?

Let's try and get it trending.

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MrsRTea · 11/07/2014 21:53

I'm not a tweeter, but it sounds good to me. Smile

Whitershadeofpale · 11/07/2014 21:55

I'm not either Blush I'm just trying to do something. If anyone wants to follow me and rt pm me and I'll give you my name.

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SittingNextToSanta · 11/07/2014 22:46

Mark Williams-Thomas has just shared the Times headlines. We have hope after all of removing BS.

Whitershadeofpale · 11/07/2014 22:52

I've tweeted him now sitting thanks.

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WhistlingPot · 12/07/2014 08:22

Perhaps Mark Williams-Thomas for a web chat, if not/as well as Tom Watson?

He's also just tweeted about Dm story on PIE actually having an office in Westminster. Wtaf?

Am rethinking my point about the Cleveland Inquiry now, having looked at his and others comments about it.

Wannabestepfordwife · 12/07/2014 08:51

How about Simon Danzcuk for a web chat he seems fairly accessible

ParsingFlatly · 12/07/2014 08:56

What do we want to achieve from the web chat? That would determine who was asked.