Child abuse and the vivid horrific reality of it have hit the headlines recently. With cases such as Baby P and Alfie Goddard being brought to the public’s attention. Both these young boys suffered severely at the hands of their parents and guardians. Despite social services being made aware of the unimaginable circumstances these children were living in, nothing was done to protect them and save them from the cruelty they endured daily, resulting in their avoidable deaths.
Reviews in the children’s services particularly in Haringey, where Baby P lived and Doncaster, where Alfie Goddard and seven other child abuse victims lived, are now under way. Baby P Was subjected to neglect from his depressed mother who would leave him unattended in his cot for hours and beatings from his mother’s boyfriends, one of whom is reported to have swung Baby P round by his neck. And who is also reported to have had an unhealthy obsession of torturing animals, often skinning frogs alive. Despite several visits from social services to the family home where it is reported to have been unfit to live, Baby P with his ongoing bruises and visits to A & E was allowed to stay with his mother and be subjected to further cruelty and neglect.
Alfie Goddard’s father Craig Goddard has been jailed for life, after Sheffield Crown Court heard of the abuse baby Alfie was subjected to at the hands of his own father. Alfie had been suffering from a stomach ache and was uneasy to settle. His father known by social services to be violent and a drug addict lost his temper and shook and squeezed Alfie before throwing him to the floor from 5ft. Alfie died two days later in Sheffield Children’s hospital from head injuries sustained two days earlier.
Child abuse can often go undetected for many years and often continues to haunt a person well into their adult years. Until they feel they are able to talk about their horrific experiences. Therefore, cases of child abuse have to be dealt with correctly and sensitively. Particularly if justice is to be done and the perpetrator correctly convicted and sentenced. Police forces throughout the United Kingdom have specially trained officers equipped with the expertise and knowledge to correctly and sensitively deal with child abuse cases.
Child abuse can be demonstrated in a number of different ways. The cases mentioned above of Baby P and Alfie Goddard describes the physical aspect of child abuse. Where a child has been beaten violently. However, child abuse can also be shown through neglect, not correctly carrying for the child and is needs for example a child’s basic needs of food and water along with help bathing and dressing. Sexual abuse is also another way in which child abuse can be manifested. This often being extremely traumatic for the child subjected to this form of abuse. Leaving them feeling vulnerable and fearful of what might happen if they talk about the abuse they have been subjected to or what others might think of them.
When considering making a claim for compensation in respect of child abuse, it is important to fully consider the whole process of the claim. In order for any claim of this nature to be successful, it will require the victim to tell their story and the abuse they were subjected to in as much detail as possible in order to gather as much evidence as possible to successfully win their case. This will involve discussing the abuse with a solicitor acting on their behalf as well as medical experts instructed to compile a medical report to support their case. Particular solicitors and medical experts do specialise is this area of law and so therefore, will like the Police, be trained and equipped to deal with your case sensitively and correctly.
