Wrexham Charity’s Key Role in Abuse Inquiry

The Leader
November 13, 2015

http://leaderlive.co.uk/news/154848/wrexham-charity-s-key-role-in-abuse-inquiry.aspx


A CHARITY is to play a vital part in a new independent inquiry into child sexual abuse in the UK.

Stepping Stones North Wales, based in Wrexham, has been offering counselling and specialist support to adult victims and survivors of childhood sexual abuse for 30 years.

The charity is the only organisation to offer this dedicated service across the region as well as being the only one invited to take part in this new initiative.

It works closely with the Ministry of Justice, police forces, local authorities and other public sector organisations in supporting victims, many of whom suffer huge problems as they enter into adult life and beyond.

The charity also works collaboratively with Amethyst, the Sexual Assault Referral Centre and RASA North Wales (Rape and Sexual Assault Service).

Lowell Goddard, chairman of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), announced the start of the inquiry’s Truth Project Pilot in Liverpool yesterday.

The project will allow victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to share their experience during a private session with a member of the inquiry or via a written statement.

Ms Goddard will visit organisations supporting victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to talk about the Truth Project and to hear about their hopes for how the Inquiry can provide an opportunity for victims and survivors to share their experiences.

She said: “I thank the Merseyside Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre and Stepping Stones North Wales for meeting with me.

“The work of organisations such as these is incredibly important in helping support victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

“I am grateful for the time they have taken to talk to me about their work and about some of the challenges faced by those whom they support.

“It brings home to me the importance of the work of the inquiry in identifying organisations and institutions which have failed in their duty to protect children from sexual abuse.

“And it highlights that this inquiry must, as I have said before, shine a light on the failings of organisations and institutions across the breadth of England and Wales - and not simply within the Westminster context.”

Stepping Stones director Joy Dyment said: “We know from our work over many years how much support victims and survivors need in order to share their experiences and bring perpetrators to justice.

“The victims and survivors we work with tell us how important it is to be able to tell someone what has happened to them and to be believed.

“The Truth Project element of the inquiry will hopefully give that opportunity to many more people.”