18 ongoing historic abuse investigations

Monday 24 April 2017

Operation Whistle – a Jersey Police investigation into historic abuse – which will soon be going into its third year, is still investigating 18 alleged cases.

When the investigation began back in 2015 Police said 62 victims came forward with almost 100 allegations of sexual and physical abuse stretching back many decades.

In a press release at the time Police said there were 45 suspects – some of whom were deceased or as yet unidentified – four institutions, and 13 people of public prominence – including former British Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath.

Six investigators were assigned the task of taking statements, and following up the allegations.

Operation Whistle was prompted by Operation Yewtree – a national investigation into abuse by TV personality Jimmy Saville, and Operation Rectangle, a local investigation which reported and recorded a total of 553 offences. Of those, 315 were reported as being committed at Haut de la Garenne – a children’s home that closed in 1986. Eight people were prosecuted for 145 offences and seven convictions secured. The Police identified 151 named offenders and 192 victims.

In March 2011 the States requested the Council of Ministers establish a Committee of Inquiry to investigate a number of 'unresolved issues' in relation to historical abuse in the Island: 

(1) What measures were taken to address inappropriate behaviour from staff when it was discovered, and if those measures were insufficient, what other measures should have been taken?

(2) How did those in authority at political and officer level deal with problems that were brought to their attention? 

(3) Were there any mechanisms in operation to allow children to report their concerns in safety; and what action was taken if and when concerns were voiced? 

(4) Was a consistent and impartial approach taken when deciding on which cases to prosecute; and was the process free from political influence or interference at any level?

A high level panel headed by Frances Oldham QC was appointed in December 2013. Their £23million report was due to be released in the first quarter of 2017, but in March the panel issued a press release saying it had “received new information as part of Phase 3 of its work, in respect of recommendations for the future of Jersey's childcare system. 

"The Panel has advised the States of Jersey that there will be a delay to the publication of the report pending examination of the new information as to whether it affects the recommendations we intend to make.

"We do not anticipate extensive delays. We will announce the date of the report's publication in due course and advise on the arrangements that will be in place for its launch."

There has been no update since.