Barrister Sarah Phillimore and the NSPCC

[christinarossetti19]

Sarah Phillimore has reported the NSPCC to the charities commission, as they refused to confirm that either the allegations made about wanking@work are false or that they are investigating matter.

As she says, this is another Oxfam or Kids Company waiting to happen. Thank you Sarah for devoting your expertise to this.

twitter.com/SVPhillimore

Here is the blog post I was thinking of when I said I knew I'd read some of Sarah Phillimore's work before:

childprotectionresource.online/in-whose-best-interests-transgender-children-choices-and-consequences/

It's an excellent piece exploring the legal implications of Mr Justice Hayden's decision in re: J, a minor, and the involvement of Mermaids charity.

Her whole blog focuses on child protection and is an extremely informative read. I should've known she was a MNr.

That is brilliant work. As is all the stuff done before on child protection.

Here is link to the email Sarah sent - she suggests it's fine for other people use this3 text as a basis for their own email:

twitter.com/ReSistersU/status/1139886380702666752?s=09

.

It is quite something when you can breathe a sigh of relief that someone has the moral integrity and clarity of vision to maintain focus on the needs and rights of children in the midst of a bunch of self-interested adults in situations concerning child safeguarding and protection.

But that's exactly what Sarah has done. Her argument and how clearly it is expressed puts the flim-flailing around and defensiveness of the NSPCC in stark relief.

Thank you, Sarah.

Hello everyone, thank you for the kind words and encouragement.

Just to give you an update - which personally I find chilling.

Friday - Sunday Times contact me to say they are running a piece. No piece appears. Today I spoke to someone else from a news agency who left me a message on Friday and she says 'no paper will touch this'.

Her explanation is that this is because 'you cannot prove that the man filmed himself in the way alleged'.

I said - that is not. the. point. The point is that the NSPCC essentially told anyone who was worried to SHUT UP BIGOT and that is incredibly disturbing and chilling in terms of child protection.

So here is the plan. The MSM clearly have been warned off or scared off. I have referred this to the Charities Commission who say they need 30 days to reply.

On July 15th therefore I am going to consider other options and they will likely involve a crowdfunded to get specialist legal advice/take legal action.

At the moment I am thinking judicial review of any refusal by the Charities Commission to act. Someone else has interestingly suggested I contact the Privy Council as the NSPCC has a Royal Charter.

I am not letting this go. I have sat back and drowned in a tsunami of nonsense for at least the last year. Something has to change. I hope you will put that date in your diaries and I will post again in July to let people know what is going on.

O and yes, I do have fond memories of Mr Hemming! He's a bit tied up in his various libel actions at the moment so he's been disappointingly quiet, but there are many to fill his shoes...

Amazing, thanks @Spero. I would definitely contribute to a crowd funder for legal action if the Charity Commission refuse to investigate the NSPCC.

Thank you for doing this .

Thank you Sarah!

I'm sure that I'm one of many who will support you as much as we can with this. It is beyond belief that the NSPCC haven't suspended this individual and promised an 'investigation' - at least the NUS went that far with Jess Bradley even if it appears that all they've done is kicked the case into the long grass.

It's of utmost imperative that they are forced to be publicaly accountable to how they respond to this person and situation. All abusers need are others to remain silent, and they are taking this stance to a very frightening extreme.

Spero thank you for the update on this. I’m so pleased to hear you’re not going to let this one get away.

As you say, disturbing response and implies there are bigger issues behind the scenes.

I would certainly contribute to the costs of a legal challenge if needed.

Quick question - what's MSM?

Really glad you are doing this, I suspect the employees reaction of "shut up" shows exactly how serious the problems are at the NSPCC, it should be a straightforward "thanks, we'll be investigating".

MSM = Mainstream Media

I found my conversation with the news agency really frightening actually. She just said 'no paper will touch this'. And I was saying but why? but why? The actual story is beyond doubt - whatever this individual did or didn't do in the toilets, the NSPCC basically told anyone worried to 'fuck off bigot'.

If anyone can't see what a potentially chilling and disastrous impact that is going to have on safeguarding, then they are an idiot - or they have some very sinister motivations.

Spero - I would contribute.

Oh spero! I hadn't made the connection - doh! Absolutely would contribute to any legal action although keta hope it doesn't come to that.

MSM = mainstream media

Keta? My autocorrect is insane.

Nevertheless, she persisted!

Thank you, spero. Count me in for an eventual crowdfunder.

Thank you again all, I am sorry I didn't think to post here as well, but I got caught up in Twitter - glad to see this was my first ever viral post which at least indicates to me that people feel strongly and I am glad about that. Apathy is a real curse here.

I don't kid myself that legal action is going to achieve anything much. but what WOULD I hope get people talking was if we could raise a significant amount of money and promote a wider public debate about the appalling response of the NSPCC.

Their cut and paste email reply to me and several others made me furious. They have obligations to behave better than this. If they will not recognise that, they must be made to. All of us have an interest in this and all of us have a right and - I think - a moral obligation to speak up.

I'm really grateful that you wrote the letter, and that you aren't letting it drop. Count me in for a contribution to the crowdfunder if and when the time comes.

Count me in Spero

< slaps self >

Spero, of course.

I'll contribute to a crowdfunder also. You're an amazing woman.

< slaps AF >

Hand waving to join crowdfunder too.

Thank. You. Spero. 👏👏👏

Another poster pledging any help I can.