UNITED KINGDOM
Channel 4
FATIMA MANJI
Reporter
Abuse survivors and their supporters lobby MPs and hold a public meeting to demand action on the government-appointed inquiry into child sexual abuse.
There was an unusually emotionally charged atmosphere inside parliament’s committee room 14 on Wednesday. It began with the failure of the microphones. “It’s a cover-up!” someone immediately yelled to the sound of much laughter from the packed room. A joke, but one that reflected the sentiments of many in this group who have understandably high levels of mistrust in the establishment.
For years, victims of child abuse have felt silenced, ignored and failed by institutions which should have protected them. There is a particular anger towards MPs and parliament – one campaigner reminded the audience: “We are not in the house of friends”. Another pointed out: “We’ve been labelled publicity seekers and conspiracy theorists.”
The WhiteFlowers Campaign Group – a loose body of abuse survivors and their supporters – had come to parliament to lobby MPs and hold a public meeting demanding action on the government-appointed inquiry into child sexual abuse.
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