Carl Denning
A GUERNSEY-BORN former resident of Haut de la Garenne is considering suing the Jersey authorities.
Carl Denning, 50, lived at the former children’s home in Jersey from 1964 to 1970 after suffering domestic abuse in Guernsey. He says he was routinely sexually abused and wants the perpetrators and the authorities to be held responsible.
‘The Jersey authorities have a lot to answer for,’ said Mr Denning. ‘I am not going to claim compensation just for me, it has to be everybody. I think everyone deserves compensation. We were raped and what happens? They say, “well, that’s the past – it’s tough”.’
Another man, 48-year-old Jersey resident Cyril Turner, says he spent two weeks at the home in the early 1970s before leaping from a second-floor window to escape after allegedly being physically beaten and mentally tortured.
Like Mr Denning, he is calling for the authorities to be held responsible.
A legal team set up by Dyer, Burdett and Company has, in conjunction with the Jersey office of Guernsey advocates Ozannes, been appealing for victims to get in touch.
The lawyers are pressing the island’s authorities to suspend time-barring of claims.
A spokesman for the legal firm said: ‘We are advising those victims who have contacted us, in confidence, as to what may be achieved on their behalf by way of redress arising out of the abuse they claim to have suffered.’
In 2006, DBC won more than £300,000 for nine men who had been sexually abused as children at Berkshire County Council’s Green Field House.
The spokesman pointed out that the legal team had contacted the States of Jersey Police to assure them that it would not interfere with criminal prosecutions.
In response, a spokesman for the States of Jersey said: ‘The police are still investigating the allegations of historic abuse at Haut de la Garenne and it is too early to say anything other than that the government of Jersey is providing the funds needed to enable the police to do their job.’
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One Article Comment
The victims of Haute de la Garenne - and anyone who suffers abuse - should without question sue the perpetrators and authorities for the abuse they suffered. These people must be exposed, held accountable and finally brought to justice for the suffering they have caused and the lives they have ruined. How anyone dares to say “well, that’s the past - it’s tough,” is beyond me!! Do they honestly believe these monsters should be left to live their lives in peace while the hundreds of victims & witnesses that have come forward clearly haven’t forgotten!! Don’t these victims at the very least deserve the compensation that says - what happened to you was very wrong, it should never have happened. It wasn’t your fault, you were innocent children and we are SORRY. Maybe it would make a start in the right direction for more children in these circumstances, by holding the perpetrators and authorities accountable for their responsibilities.