Saturday July the 4th 2009.

Below is some video of the protest on the above date and some extra text is with it on Youtube.

I have decided to add text to ALL the video’s I put on Youtube from now on. This is because I want the world to know that the “good” people of Jersey DO NOT want to be tarred with the same brush as our Government. I want the world to know there are a GROWING number of people who want no part of how our Government deal (or don’t) with child abuse.

More and more people, now that protests are becoming regular, are starting to show support for victims of child abuse and are willing to stand alongside the protesters. There are more protests in the planning, which will be getting more high profile as the protesters are starting to get organised.
It is such a shame people are being driven to protesting but the government only have themselves to blame.

Today History was made but I will edit a video and tell you more about that in a day or so.

SUPPORT.

Below is some edited interviews with Deputies Trevor Pitman, Montford Tadier and Shona Pitman. The only three elected “representatives” (besides Senator Syvret) to turn up and support, not only abuse victims, but all the people who have allegedly been wronged by our judicial system, law firms and Oligarchy.

I have to say I was not surprised to see all three of them there. There’s barely a Saturday I walk through town and don’t see Trevor and Shona Pitman collecting signatures on behalf of their constituents whether it be for the residents of Ann Court, the (ex) Woolworth’s workers, those against GST etc.

After the protest I went up to Mont Nicole school where my children were taking part in a Karate demonstration to help raise money for EFLO (Education Fund for Luweero Orphans) And who should I see there? But the three deputies, Pitman’s and Tadier . They too were raising money (all afternoon) for EFLO.

I suppose it’s all about “SUPPORT” not just saying “oh that’s a good cause” or “my SYMPATHY goes out to the victims of abuse” or asking the odd question in the States. It’s about getting off your arse and nailing your colours to the mast, standing alongside the very people you are elected to “represent”. So credit to Senator Syvret, Deputies Trevor and Shona Pitman and Deputy Tadier.

The Protest.

Well the Protest, as planned, went ahead and was, in my opinion a huge success.
It was a success because more people were at this one than the last. Which could mean people are starting to get over the fear factor, which might mean the Solicitor General is frantically writing up gagging orders as I type……… a Tim?

It was also a success because the organisers are starting to get a little organised, putting together banners, placards, masks, in excess of 3000 leaflets, Press releases and many other things.

This will be sending a message out to our ruling elite, and our elected “representatives” that the peasants are starting to revolt. Most of the people I spoke to at the protest had, like myself, tried going through all the correct channels and only ever been shat on and felt they have been forced, by the "ruling elite" to take to the streets in protest.

Now the Solicitor General is going to have his work cut out slamming a gagging order on everybody at that Protest and indeed the protests yet to come, and believe me there are plenty more to come. So our ruling elite, however long it takes, are going to have to start paying attention to the electorate or they are going to have a protest on their hands every week!

I still maintain there should be no need for protests but this is where our Government has taken us. One thing that was evident today was the amount of children that were on the march. These are the people the next generation of Politicians will be facing, and they are growing up with little or no respect for (what I and a growing number of parents/people believe to be) a corrupt Government. Mind you Ian Le Marquand will probably have them locked up as soon as they are 14 years old!

I have video footage of the protest, which includes interviews with three Politicians who were not only at the Royal Square but walked alongside the protesters through town. I hope to have something edited in the next couple of days and will publish on here.

In the meantime my admiration and respect goes out to Carrie, Dannie, all abuse survivors and all those who gave up their time to make this protest the success that it was. I would also like to thank "Jersey Cam" who supplied the photo's in this Blog by uploading 36 of them HERE

Who can turn a blind eye?

As most will be aware there is a march in support of child abuse victims and the lack of justice in Jersey. For those who are not aware, it will take place this Saturday the 4th of July 2009 at midday. Abuse survivors and supporters will walk from people’s park to the Royal Square.

Child abuse takes many forms it is not exclusive to sexual abuse. Children have been for years, and still are, being abused whether it be sexually, physically, or emotionally. Not only by their parents but by family members, people of authority and charged with their “care” and complete strangers.

I defy anybody with just a miniscule of conscience to watch this video and not feel compelled to support child abuse victims and spare them an hour of your time this Saturday.

Do you know, I can’t help feeling, after watching this video, reading the Lyrics, and listening to some of the abuse survivors that in some cases it’s the lucky one’s that die.

Surreal

This instalment deals with, among other things, the poor counselling the Care Leavers believe they have received from the States of Jersey. The fact they don’t trust their councillor(s) is extremely alarming and something that ought to have been addressed from the outset but hey this is a free service given to them by the States they should be grateful for it………………….shouldn’t they?

Senator Syvret also gives his views as to why certain people have not been charged, a view that is shared by a growing number of people, including care leavers.

I have mentioned, a couple of times, the surreal feeling that was felt by myself and the care-leavers. The feeling that the “accredited” media didn’t want to be there. I think it is Elaine Byrne from the JEP or FILTHY RAG as it is known in some circles that asks the question about the counselling. She was given her answer and it wasn’t favourable to the establishment. I do not and will not by a copy of the FILTHY RAG so don’t know if they printed the question and more importantly, the answer, I would hazard a guess they didn’t.

Furthermore to demonstrate the reluctance of the “accredited” Press to ask questions you’ll notice at the beginning of the video there is a pause of 10-11 seconds before the embarrassment got the better of me and I asked one.

It is my opinion our local media have been told by the Oligarchy to put the subject of child abuse to bed and they are dutifully obeying orders. It is also my opinion that children have been brutally abused and horribly failed by the States of Jersey who are trying to put a lid on the matter.

That being the case Citizens Media is the only avenue left for the abuse survivors to tell the world their story, and get their voice heard.

Please support the Jersey Care Leavers on the 4th of July by walking with them from People’s Park to the Royal Square at midday.

Voice for Care Leavers (2)

This is the second instalment of the Press Conference held by Carrie, Dannie (Jersey Care Leavers) and Senator Stuart Syvret. Although it is only a short piece I believe it raises important issues.

The first one being a matter of “trust”. You will see in the video Dannie and Carrie, out of 53States members and an entire Judicial system only trust a very select few. The people , or person, they trust in the Judicial system is/are no longer there, namely Lenny Harper.

It was inspiring to hear there are a few States members they trust, or at least have shown them some support, but such a shame there aren’t more. I hope those that are helping behind the scenes will “come out of the closet” and give all Care Leavers some hope.

I will keep this Blog short and would like to remind viewers/readers the Jersey Care Leavers could really do with your support on Saturday the 4th of July mid-day at the Peoples Park and on Monday the 6th of July in the Royal Square for the swearing in of our new Bayleaf Michael Birt. PS. Notice at the beginning of the video the uncomfortable silence of the gathered "accredited" Press not in a hurry to ask a question. That is not a dig at the individuals who were there as they are probably aware it is pointless asking anything too "Journalistic" as it won't get past their Editors.

Voice For Care Leavers.

This is the first instalment of the Press conference held by Senator Stuart Syvret and two care leavers, Carrie and Dannie. I have shown the video to Carrie and Dannie and have their approval to publish it.

One of my worries was, in the video it is clear they have little or no faith in the two officers Warcup and Gradwell. I explained this might prevent any further victims coming forward to which they said they are not sure they would be comfortable with any victims coming forward to the Police now that Lenny Harper and Graham Power are no longer involved.

As I have stated in an earlier post this Press conference was, to me and the care leavers, extremely surreal. They (the care leavers) and myself had the feeling the Press just didn’t want to be there. It is probable I’ll not be able to capture the atmosphere and the long, uncomfortable, silences waiting for questions to be asked by the Press, and when questions were asked, they were “safe” and in some cases, in my opinion, a waste of time.

However I do believe I will be able to give the care leavers a voice through publishing their Press conference and highlighting their plight and their struggle for justice through the Jersey Judicial system and police force.

One thing is very evident (in my opinion) that is the pain, anger and anguish displayed, not only in the voices of the care leavers, but it is written all over their faces. They are turning this pain and anguish into something (hopefully) productive. They are tired of being “victims” they are tired of “playing ball”. They are tired of waiting to be “told what to do”, told what to say.

They have decided to take the initiative, and take to the streets in protest, of what they and many others believe the lack of justice on this island. There will be a march on Saturday the 4th of July at midday from Peoples Park to the Royal Square. Similar to the recent successful “White March”. Only this protest march will not be silent, although It will be peaceful. There will also be a demonstration in the Royal Square Monday the 6th of July, the day of the swearing in of our new Balliff Michael Birt. Please give them your support.

I will be posting as much of the Press Conference as I can in the lead up to the protest in order to keep this issue alive, as it appears our local mainstream media have “done their bit” and all has gone relatively quiet.
More to follow………

“HARASSMENT”

The Attorney General’s decision not to prosecute certain people in the (ongoing?) “historic” child abuse inquiry has proved, to say the least, controversial. I know it has angered, not only abuse survivors, but most decent folk in Jersey.

This decision was told to the local media (possibly days) before any care leavers got wind of it which was leaked to Senator Syvret who promptly notified some survivors. Who were devastated, not only that a prosecution wasn’t going ahead , but the salt in the wounds, the media knew about it first.

A statement was issued “explaining” the AG’s decision. This left the care leavers, I have spoken to, with even more questions and even less answers. The AG appears to believe a statement is all that is required. If you ask him to explain his decision on camera it is harassment!
I apologise if the AG feels he has been harassed but I have learned, as have care leavers, going through “the correct channels” gets you nowhere, people need answers, they need justice, both are in very short supply over here.

"Untouchables"

Yesterday I went to the Royal Square in the hope of filming, or interviewing the Attorney General on his decision not to prosecute a certain couple.

As I arrived in the Royal Square I bumped into Senator Syvret and two very disheartened and angry abuse survivors who were about to hold a Press conference, in the States building, concerning the decision of the AG not to prosecute, among others, the fore mentioned couple. I was invited to the Press conference and was extremely pleased to accept.

I filmed the entire 40 minutes of this very humbling and sad occasion. Anybody with even the slightest bit of compassion would have felt it near on impossible not to burst into tears and give the two ladies who have been through unimaginable torture and torment a hug. However with a room full of “journalists”, along with the strength and courage shown by the two survivors, it wouldn’t have been a good look!

As well as being a very sad and humbling occasion it was also extremely surreal. Once Senator Syvret and the survivors had outlined their concerns and gave, what appeared to me, to be a harrowing account of a horrific childhood and a totally failed “care” system the floor was open to questions from the media.

I thought I’d best not rush in with a question and let the “accredited” media go first which would enable me to see what angle they were coming from. Well, after an uncomfortable silence, and the feeling of embarrassment, I felt I’d better ask a question which I did. This pattern seemed to continue, there were uncomfortable silences and it was almost as if the media didn’t want to be there, it was truly surreal.

As I have said, I filmed the entire 40 minutes of this episode which I hope to publish in the next few days but not only will the editing of the footage be demanding, actually watching it is extremely emotionally demanding but will hope to get something published soon.

At the end of the Press Conference I asked all the media, in attendance if they had asked the AG for an interview, only one had and that was Adam Fowler of CTV. I asked him “what did he say” the answer came back “no” so I said “why don’t you doorstep him”? In fairness to Adam Fowler I believe he did want to doorstep him but isn’t allowed that choice because it’s not “the done thing” in local “news” reporting. If one of “the untouchables” refuse to give an interview then that’s good enough for our local “news” editors who believe it is good enough for the plebs.

It was then asked of me “why don’t you doorstep the AG”? To which I explained that was my purpose of being in the Square in the first place, the Press conference was a bonus.

Back out in the Royal Square I was talking with one of the survivors’ partners, and who should turn up? But the AG. I promptly switched the camera on and asked him to explain his decision not to prosecute the couple from the “care” home. Needless to say he didn’t utter a word.
The entire episode lasted 31 seconds; I switched my camera off and walked away.

The AG then came up from behind me and said “you do realize you have just committed an offence”. “What you have just done is harassment, but I won’t take it any further” and proceeded to walk off. So I asked him if he would mind answering a few questions off camera? Which he ignored and walked off. We must bear in mind I had just come from listening to abuse survivors and their partners describing the horror, they have and are experiencing and the devastation they felt at the AG’s decision not to prosecute the very people who had allegedly ruined their lives, and I’m the one who’s committing an offence????????

Surely the time is coming where the “accredited” Press is going to concede that a statement from one of these “untouchables” is just not going to suffice? There are over a hundred witnesses who have drawn the strength and courage to tell their story to the police. There were somewhere in the region of 60-70 suspects in the “historic” child abuse enquiry including Jersey establishment figures. There has been one conviction of a former HDLG “inmate” (for the want of a better word). The survivors need justice and answers not “statements”. The “untouchables” need to be brought to account; they are paid, in most cases, a six figure sum to administer justice. When it appears they are failing in their public duty, then they need to answer to the public.

Anyhow here is a problem I have (one of many!). The film footage I have of door stepping the AG I have mentioned the couple “by name” he decided not to prosecute. After reading and watching all the mainstream media reports their names have not been published “for legal reasons”. I, with my very limited knowledge of libel and defamation laws, go through great pains not to fall foul of any of them.

It is for that reason I am reluctant to publish the footage. If anybody could advise me on this subject it would be appreciated.

In the meantime my thoughts are with all the survivors of abuse and would love to be able to assure them they will see justice. Unfortunately, through the Jersey judicial system, I can’t do that, but that doesn’t mean to say they won’t get justice it will just have to come from elsewhere.

“Pack of Animals”……..But who’s “The leader of the pack?

The FILTHY RAG has once more done what it does best. It has sold its “news”paper on sensationalism and whipped its reader into a frenzy about undisciplined, out of control children who deserve to be named and shamed, locked up, put in stocks, birched and a whole host of other barbaric medieval thuggery. The same barbaric thuggery as committed by these so-called “pack of animals” in the first place. And all the “Journalistic research” done could have probably been with a 10 min phone-call


I am talking of the disgraceful, cowardly and in-humane behavior of the youths throwing a bottle of urine at an apparent innocent victim and setting about beating him up by kicking and stamping on him while on the ground. There is no question this sort of behavior is totally unacceptable and should have no place in today’s society, but the fact is, it does have a place, and in my opinion it is rife over here.


The FILTHY RAG appears quick to label these children, and its reader is quick to condemn them and indeed suggest inflicting serious physical and emotional harm to them. Because what they did to their victim was wrong, but it’s right if it is done to them!!?? That’s the level of mentality our children have to try and come to grips with from the good old “Jersey way” It’s wrong for you to do it but OK for “us” to do it.


Instead of blaming, naming and shaming, or inflicting abuse on these children it is my belief energies would be better spent looking into what (or who) causes children to act like this in the first place? I left a comment on the Filthy Rag’s “Have Your Say” basically suggesting a torch should be shined into the Education Department which one of the commenter’s managed to interpret into I blame the teachers for children’s behavior.


I do not blame the teachers for children’s behavior or lack of it, I do however suggest they should be shouldering some of the blame, or at least the Education Department should. They are very quick to take all the glory when students get good grades, but they are not so quick to appear in our local press claiming any responsibility when the children, who have spent the vast majority of their childhood in the Education system, turn out to be alcoholics, drug addicts, anti social thugs, wife beaters and in extreme cases murderers.


Regular readers/viewers of VFC will be all too aware of the ongoing battle I have with our Education Minister and department just to find out if a senior Civil Servant is a child abuse suspect who is still in post. I believe the said Civil Servant is a child abuse suspect, although I have no proof of this, and no-one will either confirm or deny this is the case. On top of this we now have a teacher who has been questioned by the Police about assaulting children, not charged but reported to the very same person who could be a child abuse suspect! Supposing all these allegations are true, then we have teachers and Civil Servants, who beat children up, do not face any prosecution, and expect these children to go out into the big wide world well rounded and respectable members of society.


There is no doubt “bad parenting” plays a part when children go off the rails, but by the same token so does bad schooling. The Education Department are legal guardians of our children while they are at school; this includes disciplining our children and teaching them right from wrong as well as educating them, “caring” for them, and so, molding them into responsible young adults.


“Journalists” over here would do better trying to find out where our children are learning all this despicable behavior instead of labeling them “a pack of animals”. If Senior Civil Servants and teachers have been, or are beating up on our children then get them rooted out of the system just for a start. Have a look at the anti bullying policies in place at our schools and are they being implemented? Why is it when a child gets kicked around a games field like a football by five attackers that the punishment is a couple of days off school, who invented that policy?! Why is it when a child gets slashed across the throat with a pen leaving an injury that is visible for days that a teacher tells the parent it was “just a bit of fun” when the victim says it was only fun for the attacker and there are no consequences for the attacker, who invented that policy?


Nobody in our government appears willing to “shine a torch” into the Education Department and our local media are more than happy to dismiss children as a pack of animals. Is this because it doesn’t involve any kind of “real journalism” or is it that they don’t want to “rock the boat” and upset the powers that be?


There is a real problem over here with unruly children/teenagers and young adults that will not get any better unless the correct questions are asked, or more importantly, answered! This issue needs addressing, correct policies put in place and like I have said, “a bright light shone into our Education system”.
I would like to make it clear; I do not condone the barbaric behavior of the children that set about this man in town. Neither do I condone headlines like “pack of animals”. Headlines like “children failed by system”? Or “let’s, as a community find out what’s going wrong and where? Be a part of the solution and not the problem.
If our local media want to play the blame game, do some real research, explain to the public that parents have no right to know if their children are under the “care” of alleged child abuse suspects. Start reporting what is going on in our schools in an open and honest manner. Perhaps then we might start getting a little closer to “the solution” because as far as I can see they (the, local media) are part of the problem.


These children might well be described as a pack of animals, that being the case every pack animal has a leader, let’s find out, openly and honestly, who or what that leader is. Then, and only then can we eradicate the problem. Something tells me putting them in stocks or birching them will not work. It’s kind of like locking up the drug addict and leaving the dealer to carry on plying his trade.

world exclusive

Today “The Voice” was able to track down Deputy Montfort Tadier at a secret hiding place where he had “taken cover” after learning we had extremely incriminating evidence on him and were going to publish it. We managed to convince him he would come out of it a little better if he was to agree to an interview, which he did.

Deputy Tadier was visibly shaking and nervous and managed to trip himself up in his first sentence, something “The Voice” was very quick to pick up on and “nail him”. After being subjected to some intense questioning his defensive barrier came crumbling down.

We can now reveal “exclusively” that Deputy Tadier had in fact consumed a cocktail of substances the night he entered the States building and due to the powerful and unforgiving questioning he was subjected to, he was left exposed and left with no other option than to resign.

There is talk of this video footage being nominated for a BAFTA in the investigative Journalism category at the next awards.

Team Voice are proud to be able to bring its viewers this world exclusive in “cutting edge” Investigative Journalism and be the first to uncover all the big “News” stories that matter on this island.

“Trial by Blog”

Jersey’s Parliament was in session today and by revealing nothing, everything was revealed.

Firstly a question tabled by Deputy Bob Hill to the Chairman of Privileges and Procedures Committee, revealed the States building is only accessible to able bodied people, there are no provisions for anybody in a wheel chair, no toilets for the public, the acoustics are below standard and the Chairman of PPC Deputy Julliette Gallichan has no idea if any of this is Human Right compliant or not!

Deputy Trevor Pitman tabled a question to the Attorney General asking if any States members phones are being tapped?. The Attorney General was unable (or unwilling) to either confirm or deny this. That sort of answer can serve to convince people that our elected “representatives” phones are indeed being tapped. I’m sure if they weren’t there would have been nothing stopping him saying so.

If this is the case it would now be almost impossible to communicate with your elected “representative” in a confidential manner. If you e-mail him/her, ten Police officers can swoop in to their house, without a search warrant, take their computer and read anything and everything you have discussed with him/her. Equally they can take any letters you might have written to him/her and read them also.

Now it would appear you can’t even phone them with any kind of confidence that nobody is listening to and/or recording your conversation. This is truly frightening and leaves us, the general public left with no-one we can confide in unless it is face to face and no notes are being kept. Mind you, if you chat with Bill Ogley and he makes any notes there’s a good chance he will shred them anyway.

This doesn’t stop at your elected “representatives”. it would appear this would apply to your doctor, Shrink, Councillor, or anybody you might want to share intimate details with. Their offices or houses can be turned over any time by the Police without a warrant which will enable them to take away and read anything they like.

Just as alarming was the answer(s) (or not) that Minister for Education Sport and Culture, Deputy James Reed gave in “questions without notice”. He was asked (again) if any of his Civil Servants are under investigation for child abuse. He was asked this question and several of a similar nature by three Deputy’s, Hill, Tadier and Le Herissier. Deputy James Reed could not (or would not) comfirm or deny if one of his Civil Servants is under investigation for violent and savage physical abuse on children over a period of years.

So by giving that answer (or not) will lead people to believe that indeed one of his Civil Servants is under investigation and is still in his post otherwise he would simply deny it. With that parents, like myself, have to send their children to school, as sure as they can be that a top Civil Servant might be willing and capable to violently and savagely abuse them and be instrumental in formulating policies for them.

Deputy Roy Le Herissier made a very valid point. He said he didn’t want this issue to turn into “a trial by Blog” and believe it or not, I agree with him. My question is though, what other option is there? Personally I have e-mailed not only the current Education Minister but the former Minister, the Assistant Minister, the Civil Servant, a selection of States members including the Education Scrutiny Panel and the local BBC in my quest to get an answer to the question “is a senior Civil Servant at Education Sport and Culture a suspect in the ongoing “historical” child abuse investigation”? Nobody has been able or willing, to give me an answer.

Personally I have absolutely no evidence that might prove this Civil Servant is a child abuse suspect. But at the same time I have, to the best of my knowledge, done everything I can to discover if there is any merit in the allegations made against him and have only ever been told “the States have a duty of care to their employees” “I am unable to confirm or deny if a Civil Servant is a child abuse suspect”, besides the numerous threats I have received threatening me and my children.

So if Deputy Le Herissier, like myself and others, do not want this to turn into “a trial by Blog” please give us a viable alternative. All I want is either confirmation or denial. I want to know that when I send my children to school they are receiving the best possible care and they won’t be under the influence of a child abuser, surely every parent and child should have that as a basic right ……..shouldn’t they?. Well not in Jersey it would seem.

To sum this all up from a mere plebs point of view, we have a Majority in our Government that believe it is acceptable for Police officers to search anybody’s office or residence and take whatever they wish without a search warrant. We have an Education Minister that can not (or will not) put parents mind at ease by either confirming, or denying, one of his Civil Servants (still in post) is a child abuse suspect. We have an Attorney General who can not (or will not) confirm or deny if our Politicians phones are bugged and the PPC not versed in Human Rights and the “parliament” building only accessible by able bodied people. The same building only being of any use to people with an exceptional hearing ability with a strong constitution, or colostomy bag. If I have mis- heard or mis-interpreted anything here, I do apologise but I only have an average hearing and can not pick up everything that is said in the States correctly due to its appalling acoustics.

I know Deputy Le Herissier is a frequent visitor to this Blog so I will be very interested in hearing his viable alternative to “a trial by Blog” and invite him to give us that viable option on here.