We recently blogged about the victims of an abuse scandal dating back to the 1970’s where five care homes in the Nottinghamshire area were found to have been involved in the abuse of children under their care. At the centre of the investigation was The Beechwood home in Mapperley, Nottingham, and it was confirmed that at least 80 victims had been found.
As ongoing legal battles for compensation continue, sources from the BBC have revealed that the number of homes being investigated has increased from five to 13 homes.
Former employees are being investigated on suspicion of rape after a Freedom of Information Act request revealed the abuse, and 26 victims are said to have settled their claims for a total sum of around £25,000. The new reports confirm that allegations of abuse have been made that involve 13 care homes resulting in widening of the ongoing police investigations.
With this ongoing litigation and the Rotherham child abuse scandal still fresh in our minds it seems that not enough has been done in recent decades to prevent vulnerable children from being abused. The care home institutions involved in the Beechwood scandal were tasked with protecting and looking after children; but what has happened in these homes is far from that.
Any victims of abuse are urged to come forward to the police and seek advice about what action can be taken to allow the perpetrators responsible to face the justice they deserve. Whilst no one can turn back the clock, the assailants ought to be punished to the full extent of the law, and further measures clearly need to be taken to prevent repeat incidents of such scandals.
