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Boarding schools ‘ideal environment for grooming’
UK News
Published: Mar 1, 2022
A new report into child sexual abuse has found boarding schools are the “ideal environment for grooming”, with pupils being more dependent on adults around them than in non-residential settings.
The report from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse said that “for some children, their residential school, in effect, may be their home”.
The investigation looked at residential specialist music schools and residential special schools, where children faced higher risks of sexual abuse, and went on to examine various other types of school, including day schools, where staff had been convicted of the sexual abuse of pupils, or where serious safeguarding concerns had arisen.
In the specialist music schools examined, the power and influence of oftenrevered and influential music teachers made some pupils evenmore vulnerable to being sexually abused by them
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
It also examined residential special schools, including Appletree School in Cumbria, Southlands School in Hampshire, and the Royal School Manchester.
The second phase looked at three mainstream schools where sexual abuse allegations had been raised, including a state secondary school, Headlands School in Bridlington, East Riding, and a private boarding school, Clifton College, in Bristol.
The allegations were largely reported and investigated or responded to between 1990 and 2017, and related to incidents alleged to have taken place from the 1960s to 2014.
The report said: “In the specialist music schools examined, the power and influence of often revered and influential music teachers made some pupils even more vulnerable to being sexually abused by them.
“The reputations of both the musicians and the schools were often seen as more important than their victims and potential victims when allegations were made or concerns were raised. The response was similar when concerns were raised about well-liked and generally respected members of staff in other school contexts, in both the independent and state sectors.”
The report found that, across 12 schools, as well as eight schools which were no longer operating, there was a reluctance to report sexual abuse perpetrated by staff and pupils.
“Despite numerous changes and improvements to safeguarding since the complaints of child sexual abuse referenced in the closed residential schools account, children continue to face sexual abuse and sexual harassment in schools,” it said.
The inquiry was told of ineffective safeguarding in schools over the past 20 years and that “the testimonies on the Everyone’s Invited website demonstrate that currently, for children in some schools, sexual abuse and harassment between peers remain endemic”.
It heard that at Chetham’s School, former director of music Michael Brewer was “a powerful figure, having complete autonomy over all matters relating to music”.
In 2013, Frances Andrade, a former pupil at the school, took her own life after giving evidence on how Brewer had groomed and sexually abused her.
The inquiry also heard that Christopher Ling, a violin tutor at Chetham’s who was employed by Brewer, abused a number of pupils in his care, who were aged between nine and 15, in the 1980s.
Its report made a series of recommendations to improve safeguarding in schools, including setting nationally accredited standards and levels of safeguarding training in schools, making the highest level of safeguarding mandatory for headteachers and designated safeguarding leads in England and Wales, as well as reintroducing a duty for boarding schools and residential special schools to inform relevant inspectorates of allegations of child sexual abuse and other serious incidents.
Poor leadership frequently left staff unaware of how to respond to concerns
about sexual abuse or too afraid of potential consequences to act
Inquiry chairwoman Professor Alexis Jay
“Schools play a central role in the lives of almost nine million children in England and half a million in Wales. They should be places of learning where children are nurtured by trusted teachers and are able to flourish in a safe environment.
“This is in contrast to the many shocking instances of child sexual abuse detailed in this report. They represent the opposite of everything that a school should be.
“Poor leadership frequently left staff unaware of how to respond to concerns about sexual abuse or too afraid of potential consequences to act. In some cases it was clear that protecting the reputation of the school was prioritised over the protection of children from sexual abuse – this is a recurring theme in very many of our reports.
“Day and residential schools play a key role in keeping children safe from harm, but, despite 20 years of enhanced focus on safeguarding, they are not as safe for children as they should be. This must change. The seven recommendations in this report must be implemented to vitally improve the current systems of child protection in schools.”
Kim Harrison, principal lawyer and head of operations for abuse and public inquiries at Slater & Gordon, who represented a male victim, A301, of a female abuser at Headlands School, said: “My client took part in this inquiry primarily because he wanted to highlight the lack of understanding many male victims and survivors of female abusers face once they disclose that abuse.
“Boys and men who have been abused by women are often made to feel additional shame and embarrassment because society tells them they should ‘enjoy’ such attention from females, rather than recognising that they have been groomed and abused in a damaging way.
“This can make male victims of female abusers less likely to disclose their abuse for fear of being judged or their abuse being minimised.
“A301 is keen to raise awareness of this issue and highlight the need for specialist training, awareness and support for male victims of female abusers which is still so desperately lacking.”
“It is disappointing that the inquiry has not addressed this issue in their report and we urge the inquiry to address it and make meaningful recommendations to help male survivors of female abuse in their final report.”
Chetham’s took part in the inquiry in 2019.
A message on its website reads: “It is a matter of deep and profound regret to Chetham’s that former teachers at our school betrayed the trust that had been placed in them in order to harm children, for which we are truly sorry.”
“Chetham’s recognises its responsibility in safeguarding the rights of all children and will continue to be thoroughly committed to taking all appropriate steps to maintain a safe environment and to liaise with statutory agencies to ensure that any allegations of abuse are properly investigated.”
A Government spokesperson said: “The sexual abuse of a child is abhorrent, wherever it occurs. Schools and colleges should be safe places, and we expect them to provide the right support, care and protection for those living or studying there.
“Our Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy sets out a whole system, cross-government approach to tackling all forms of child sexual abuse, regardless of where it takes place.
“Following the Ofsted Review last year, we strengthened guidance and support for teachers to help them spot signs of abuse and work is also underway to improve how safeguarding partners – police, council and health services – work together to protect children.”
UN probe claims of child sex abuse by Irish peacekeeper
after whistleblower's allegations
He raised allegations including the sexual abuse of children at Kafra-Yatar checkpoint
in Lebanon by an Irish peacekeeper on UNIFIL duty who showed them pornography
By Sylvia Pownall Editor, Irish Sunday Mirror
09:20, 6 MAR 2022
The United Nations has opened an investigation into claims of child sex abuse by an Irish peacekeeper at an army checkpoint.
Retired soldier Anthony O’Brien raised the issue with the UN’s Vienna-based investigations team which last night said it is reviewing the matter.
Mr O’Brien, a former army sergeant from Ballyfermot in Dublin, met via videolink with the chief of the division last week. He raised allegations including the sexual abuse of children at Kafra-Yatar checkpoint in Lebanon by an Irish peacekeeper on UNIFIL duty who showed them pornography.
Mr O’Brien also detailed reports of the alleged rape of a soldier on her first tour of duty overseas and other female troops raped after having their drink spiked.
A UN spokesman told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “We can confirm the Office of Internal Oversight Services [OIOS] has been seized of the matter for appropriate follow-up. The UN will review for appropriate action any report of sexual misconduct that is brought to its attention involving its personnel.”
He sent reports of sexual abuse by military personnel on military property to Minister for Defence Simon Coveney.
The accounts, some of which allege the abuse of children at the Curragh military camp in Kildare, were sent by the Department of Defence to gardai.
Two weeks ago Sinn Fein TD Patricia Ryan read a number of the allegations into the Dail record.
She said: “There are many sad and sick stories including a female soldier who was raped on her first tour overseas. Her rapist was fined three days’ pay.
“The female soldier was labelled a troublemaker and a slut.
“She attempted suicide a number of times and became an alcoholic.” Deputy Ryan also told the Dail two female soldiers whose drinks were spiked by four soldiers were raped then “put back to bed” while on a tour of duty in the Lebanon.
Last week a serving member of the Defence Forces told RTE those who raised concerns about alleged sexual assaults at a barbecue at McKee Barracks in 2020 were being silenced.
The only people to face charges as a result of the events were a group of soldiers who discussed the allegations in a closed WhatsApp group. One soldier, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “To me, it stinks of attempts to silence people talking about it.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Defence said it had been in contact with the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight and had been informed that the OIOS “will not be conducting an investigation into the reported allegations”.
Unbelievable! I suspect the retired sergeant is sleeping with a loaded gun under his pillow.
Women arrested for sexually abusing 4-y/o daughter in Vellore
On Friday, childline officials received information from neighbours
that the child was in trouble
Published: 06th March 2022 10:24 AM
The New Indian Express
TIRUVANNAMALAI: A woman was arrested in Tiruvannamalai on Saturday for allegedly torturing and sexually abusing her four-year-old daughter.
On Friday, childline officials received information from neighbours that the child was in trouble. The officials, along with a police team, went to the spot and inquired with the minor's parents. A probe revealed that the girl was tortured by her mother and branded with a hot knife.
According to a complaint lodged by the Child Line officials, around four days ago, the mother had punished the child for not listening to her but for wandering out in the streets. However, the neighbours said the torture was a result of the child's parents having a dispute, the complaint stated. The child also suffered severe burn injuries on her legs and right hand. She was not given proper medical treatment but was left to suffer with some application of coconut oil, the complaint added. But, the child was later rushed to the Tiruvannamalai Government Medical college hospital.
The Child Line Project Director S Murugan told TNIE, "The girl was undergoing treatment and was recovering. We are making arrangements in coordination with the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to shift her to a government reception home after treatment."
A case was registered under Section 75 (Whoever has the actual charge or control over a child's assaults, abuses) of the Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children) Act and Section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt) under the IPC.
There is no confirmation of sexual abuse in this story, however, the title came from The New Indian Express so we should probably assume that it happened.
It seems self-control is not a characteristic common to the Indian sub-continent. Unfortunately, children often pay the price for adults' immaturity.
DOJ hails conviction of American for online sexual abuse,
exploitation of Filipina children
Published March 7, 2022, 9:25 AM
by Jeffrey Damicog, Manila Bulletin
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, March 7, hailed the conviction of an American who was sentenced to 160 years in prison for producing and attempting to produce child pornography and receiving and distributing pornography of Filipina children.
“The conviction of Benjamin Walter is a triumph not just for his victims but also for other victims of sexual abuse and exploitation,” declared DOJ Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay Villar, who is also the undersecretary in charge of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
Villar issued the statement on the announcement made by the United States DOJ that last March 4 a federal judge sentenced Walter, 41, to 160 years in prison “for using internet applications to seek images and live transmissions of the violent sexual abuse of Filipina children as young as five years old.”
“Online exploitation of children is one of the vilest of crimes that preys upon the most vulnerable — our innocent children,” Villar lamented.
“Most of them are left scarred for life and it is important for their complete recovery and healing that their abusers are held accountable for their crimes,” she stressed.
She also lamented that the Philippines has “the highest incidence of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) in the world and the numbers keep on growing every year.”
This was an obvious outcome of the Philippines introducing high-speed, inexpensive internet to an economy that is very poor. It will only stop by the complete removal of internet services from the country. That, of course, will never happen.
“But the IACAT has responded with great force to eradicate OSEC in the Philippines,” she said.
“Each year our rescues of abused and exploited children, investigations of OSEC, cases filed, and convictions secured are increasing due to our continued efforts to strengthen and scale up our response against OSEC,” she noted.
The US DOJ’s announcement stated that Walter, who hails from Decatur, Alabama, was convicted by a federal grand jury for four counts of producing and attempting to produce child pornography and one count each of receiving and distributing child pornography.
“According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Walter used two web service provider accounts, including messenger and webcam applications, to seek women in the Philippines to sexually abuse their own children and relatives. Walter’s requests to these women, which spanned approximately three years, included directions to arrange for the gang rape of young children and to sexually assault several young children in other harmful ways,” the US DOJ said in a statement.
“Walter sent money to the Philippines for the videos, images, and live transmissions via Moneygram, Western Union, and other money remitters in $25 to $50 increments. In addition to the live webcam shows, Walter also sent and received emails to which the senders attached images and videos of young children engaged in sex acts with adult men. This investigation and prosecution were part of a joint FBI and Homeland Security Investigations operation that targeted the buyers and sellers of these types of webcam shows in the Philippines,” it added.
Côte d'Ivoire women’s football coach fired over blackmail,
sexual harassment allegations
The 18-time champions fired the coach after speaking to players
A women's football coach for Ivory Coast team Africa Sports has been fired after accusations of sexually harassing his players, the 18-time champions have confirmed.
Toure Makadi worked as an apprentice with the reigning national women's champions but was suspended and later expelled from the club on February 16.
Makadi departed after a journalist shared alleged SMS messages he sent to players offering career advancement in exchange for sex.
In a statement sent to AFP and shared by L'Equipe, the club said that media coverage and "electronic messages" across several weeks had alleged that Makadi blackmailed and sexually harassed players.
"The statements and electronic messages obtained as part of [an] administrative investigation carried out discreetly with the athletes today point to a high probability of the effectiveness of the alleged facts," it said.
"Africa Sports of Abidjan strongly condemns such actions, which tarnish the image of the club."
Siriki Toure, the head coach of the women's team, reportedly told the agency that the intern "flirted with a girl" who then refused his advances.
"This case disturbs my team which lost first place," Toure added.
French journalist Romain Molina published alleged SMS messages attributed to the coach at the end of February, which were said to have been sent to some players.
Makadi was accused of requesting sex with players in exchange for help with their careers.
After the publication of the texts by Molina, Mariam Dao Gabalan, the president of the standardization committee of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), announced that an investigation had been opened.
Toure not been formally charged or arrested and the allegations made against him remain unproven.
Molina has been at the forefront of reporting alleged cases of sexual abuse in African football.
In January this year, he reported how leading Gabon football official Serge Mombo had been accused of and later arrested for sexually abusing young players and demanding sex from them as a prerequisite of gaining access to the national team.
Mombo, who was re-elected as the Gabonese top flight's president in June 2021, was also accused of supplying football coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi with young boys to sexually abuse.
Both men deny the unproven claims, which prompted Gabon's president, Ali Bongo, to describe allegations of widespread sexual abuse in the country as a "very serious matter".
In response, Bongo's government has announced that a judicial investigation into alleged sexual abuse of children and young people in Gabonese sports will be held.
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