Rape and sexual abuse was 'widespread' in Nottinghamshire children's homes, says independent inquiry
An independent inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Nottinghamshire care and foster homes has revealed repeated rapes and sexual abuse were a "widespread" issue.
The report published today (Wednesday) was in response to historical and new allegations of child sex abuse from some of those in the care of Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council.
More than 350 individuals reported being sexually abused whilst in care from the 1960s onwards, with the real figure said to likely be much higher.
During the public hearings, which lasted a total of 15 days in October 2018, the inquiry heard from some of those who had been sexually abused as children whilst in the care of the Nottinghamshire councils.
It found the abuse was widespread in both residential and foster care homes during the 1970s, 80s and 90s. This included repeated rapes, sexual assaults and physical abuse.
A case study focussing on this issue found there were five investigations in five county community homes, which were conducted between 1988 and 1995. In one home, all children resident over a 12 month period were found to have been exposed to harmful sexual behaviour.
Beechwood Children's Home was the institution with the largest number of allegations. It became a children's home in 1984. Since 2011, it has been subject to extensive police investigation into accusations made.
The report said although a large number of abuse allegations had been made in recent years about Beechwood, there was little evidence of them being dealt with.
Colin Pettigrew, corporate director for children’s services at Nottinghamshire County Council, said the independent inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse was welcome.
He said: "We know that apologies cannot change the past or take away the abuse people have suffered. These terrible events took place, in some cases, many years ago and we know that the effects remain.
"We are committed to working with partners to ensure that appropriate support is available to all victims and survivors.
"We must now reflect carefully on this report and consider the findings and recommendations to determine what further changes to practice may be necessary.
"We welcome any findings that will help us to keep children and young people safe now and in the future.
"That is a priority for us and we are committed to making this happen."
The report added sexualised behaviour was widely tolerated and overlooked, which allowed abusers to thrive. And when allegations of abuse were recorded, only two disciplinary actions were taken — both of which were "inadequate."
For decades, children who were abused in the care of Nottinghamshire councils suffered "appalling sexual and physical abuse, inflicted by those who should have nurtured and protected them," said Professor Alexis Jay, chairman of the inquiry.
"Those responsible for overseeing the care of children failed to question the extent of sexual abuse or what action was being taken.
"Despite decades of evidence and many reviews showing what needed to change, neither of the councils learnt from their mistakes, meaning that more children suffered unnecessarily," she said.
"We hope this report and recommendations can help ensure it never happens again."
From the late 1970s to 2019, 16 residential staff in Nottinghamshire were convicted of the sexual abuse of children in residential care.
Ten foster carers were convicted of the sexual abuse of their foster children, in addition to 12 further convictions relating to the harmful sexual behaviour of children against other children whilst in care.
The report stated that even to this day, the Nottinghamshire councils do not have a satisfactory approach to address such allegations and lack a process for the regular reporting of child sexual abuse accusations — or the action taken in response.
As a result, understanding of the scale of allegations made over a period lasting more than half a century, has been limited and inconsistent.
Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police, Craig Guildford, said he wanted to pay tribute to the victims, survivors and their supporters who had the determination to to make their story heard in the inquiry.
"As an organisation and as individuals, Nottinghamshire Police has been fully committed to supporting the Inquiry from the outset. I should reiterate that we will continue to work tirelessly to seek justice for all victims of sexual abuse, whenever the alleged offence took place," said Mr Guildford.
"The relationship between survivors and the police is now one of predominantly trust and positivity. We are working together to train detectives for the future, shaping the way in which services are delivered. This is good for the organisation, officers, victims and survivors."
Mr Guildford said he is proud to support survivors by lobbying alongside partners who also want to better care for victims.
"Clearly, we now need to consider the detail of the report, as an organisation and as part of a multi-agency partnership. Any recommendations that will improve the services provided to victims and those who are at risk are to be welcomed.
"Finally, I urge anyone who has suffered this appalling abuse is to come forward and report it to police. It is my personal commitment as chief constable that anyone reporting abuse of this nature will be treated with empathy and sensitivity, that their allegations will be taken seriously and that any investigation which follows will be then taken forward with an open mind to establish the truth."
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