LONDON (Reuters) - Two women who were repeatedly raped and violently abused by their father, bearing him seven children over 25 years, were given a formal apology by child protection agencies on Wednesday for systemic failure. The admission was made during the publication of an executive summary into a review of the case, which acknowledged the family concerned had had contact with 28 different public agencies and 100 members of staff over 35 years. No one has been sacked or disciplined for the catalogue of errors, the multiple agencies involved said at a joint press conference in Derby where they lined up to apologise.
LONDON (Reuters) - Two women who were repeatedly raped and violently abused by their father, bearing him seven children over 25 years, were given a formal apology by child protection agencies on Wednesday for systemic failure.
The admission was made during the publication of an executive summary into a review of the case, which acknowledged the family concerned had had contact with 28 different public agencies and 100 members of staff over 35 years.
No one has been sacked or disciplined for the catalogue of errors, the multiple agencies involved said at a joint press conference in Derby where they lined up to apologise.
So, the family wasn't tracked as they moved around because nobody had the time. Equally, there was little they could have done if they had.
It's easy for politicians to preach and act pious about "broken Britain", but where are the policies ? where is the investment ? If social workers break up a family in difficult circumstances will a politician back up the social workers in the face of right wing tabloid onslaught ?
No, no and no. So these terrible events will continue without pause. keep to the Fen Causeway
Like apologizing for failing to DO THEIR DAMN JOBS is going to accomplish something.
25-35 years ago, we were really quite shockingly bad at looking after vulnerable children. Perhaps what this case highlights is that, as far as vulnerable adults are concerned, we haven't got any better. I suspect a raped adult who won't press a complaint isn't, strictly, anybody's problem...
The executive summary into the case described how the family had been in contact with 28 different agencies between 1973 and 2008, and that they had been seen by more than 100 professionals including social workers, police and housing officials.Sixteen case conferences were held and ambulance workers, a headteacher and hospital staff had all expressed concern about non-accidental injuries and the children's poor hygiene. Yet nothing was done.Seven allegations of sexual abuse were made by family members - but they were not followed up.Instead of swift intervention, a culture of having "a quiet word" was found to exist among professionals.
The executive summary into the case described how the family had been in contact with 28 different agencies between 1973 and 2008, and that they had been seen by more than 100 professionals including social workers, police and housing officials.
Sixteen case conferences were held and ambulance workers, a headteacher and hospital staff had all expressed concern about non-accidental injuries and the children's poor hygiene. Yet nothing was done.
Seven allegations of sexual abuse were made by family members - but they were not followed up.
Instead of swift intervention, a culture of having "a quiet word" was found to exist among professionals.
Interestingly, I was with a child protection delegation last week. In one talk, a reasonably high ministerial official said straight out that it takes high-profile cases like this to make governments devote money to the problem. The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman
