November 3rd 2006 - Rochdale Observer
A MAN who suffered ‘appalling abuse’ in a council-run care home is
taking Rochdale Council to court.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, says he suffered sexual
abuse by a social worker between January and December 1980 while at
Foxholes Residential School.
A civil claim for damages has been launched against the council for
the abuse.
The man, now 40 years old, was taken into care for his own safety
when he was 13 and was at first treated like a friend by the social
worker.
Initially, he slept in a dormitory, but after a few months being at
the home, he was given a room of his own and that’s when he says the
abuse escalated.
He said: "It happened about four or five times, in the bath,
touching and feeling. The last incident I woke up to find him over
me and felt a sharp pain at the bottom of my spine, I’m not sure what
he did. He used to like to be referred to as uncle and I was told
it was our secret."
It was only when he was much older he realised the serious nature
of what had happened.
He said the abuse has made it difficult for him to trust people or
stay in the same job for more than 12 months.
Following a two-week trial in 2003, the social worker was convicted,
given a prison sentence, banned from working with children and placed
on the sex offenders’ register.
But the complainant fears there could be many more victims still suffering
in silence and is urging them to come forward and speak out.
The man, who has received counselling and is on anti-depressants,
said taking the council to court was a way of getting justice. He
said: "I want a bit of justice because I didn’t think I got it
in court.
"Money is not an issue because there are more important things,
like making the council accountable.
"People like those shouldn’t be doing those things behind closed
doors."
Rochdale Council was notified of the civil claim in June 2004, but
court proceedings were only recently started.
A council spokesman said: "We are aware of the case, but due
to the possibility of legal action it would be inappropriate to make
any further comment."
Caroline Chandler, solicitor at Abney Garsden McDonald Solicitors,
said: "The claimant suffered appalling abuse in his childhood
which has affected him throughout his life.
"He is now involved in legal proceedings in the hope of obtaining
justice."
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