If it is true that, at the highest levels of Westminster, the abuse of young people has been covered up by those who might have helped the victims see justice, it will go beyond scandal and will demand a response beyond outrage. It will demand that we examine, as a nation, what has become of our political culture and who it exists to protect. Laurie Penny, New Statesman, 14th July 2014After decades of ignoring the issue, there now is a general consensus that, historically, allegations of child sex abuse were not always properly investigated, that whistleblowers, witnesses and victims alike had to contend with a culture of denial, dismissal and disbelief that protected abusers and allowed abuse to continue unchecked.
Thanks to the efforts of a number of brave survivors of childhood abuse, backed by some tenacious campaigners, MPs, police and journalists, the culture of denial is being challenged – though not for the first time.
The government has been forced – very much against its will – to set up an inquiry into historic abuse.
Police investigations have been launched across the country into allegations of abuse and cover ups.
These investigations are ongoing, but meanwhile, a dirty tricks misinformation campaign has been launched which is attempting to discredit and intimidate survivors, campaigners and whistleblowers and elicit sympathy for those under investigation for abuse. (more...)
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