In it’s infinite wisdom, Jersey’s government is blocking claims for compensation to victims!
Negotiations between attorneys for some of the victims and Jersey’s law officers have failed to establish the right to compensation for the victims.
This failure can only add to the perception that Jersey cares not for the victims and that Jersey continues to refuse to confront it’s murky past.
The criminal injuries compensation board of Jersey can make awards only for injuries sustained after 1 May 1991, and claims for damages in the civil courts have to be filed within three years of a victim turning 18 - Haut de la Garenne closed in 1986.
England, Wales, Ireland, and Canada have all made changes to time limit laws regarding historic sexual abuse claims. Jersey law officers have given no indication that they see this as a solution.
As Lenny Harper said recently, "The legal system has to accept the reality of the situation. They are not trusted at all by the victims. They are held in contempt by the vast majority of the victims."
No, no amount of money will erase the horrific memories carried by the victims. It would however, bring some small sense of closure that the States of Jersey acknowledges the abuse and has heard the voices of the victims.
No matter how often and how loudly William Bailhache asserts, “Justice will be done” - I think not!
The Independent
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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The entire world should press the incompetent rulers to accept basic justice and decency as the only route they can take to overcome a growing reputation for being on the side of paedophilia, cover-ups, greed and outrageous corruption.
The officials must have their heads in the sand if they think they can survive being known in other countries as the cruel enemies of child protection, justice and truth. The picture one quickly forms of these authorities is that of pompous old men without any conscience who callously treat children as old rubbish.
The officials openly despise all those who do try to do the right thing, like Stuart Syvret and the international press. But, even as they spew their vitriol against whistleblowers, the governing body probably risk becomming even more world renowned for the cover-up, their own whiny misplaced self pity, and their shocking defensiveness than for the horrific abuse, itself.
Ironically, to the rest of the world Stuart Syvret is now becomming the only famous positive face of Jersey. He is increasingly lauded for his heroic "obstinance," precisely because of the oligarchy's rabid attempts to demonise him.
As for the Jersey excuse for a local newspaper, the only explanation is that it is knowingly (often enthusiastically) complicit due to a tight web of financial connections - as it apparently was during the Nazi occupation.
Jersey's authorities need to man up now and accept their society's ethical and financial responsibilities to the victims or resign. Over the long term, the good and decent residents of the island risk enduring the loss of every shred of world respect for Jersey if they do not find a way to demand transparent justice for the abuse survivors. It is their responsibility to the victims, too.
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