Knottfield abuse report released

Eleven recommendations made

A report into historical abuse at an Island children's home has come up with 11 recommendations.

In particular, it's looked at what it calls the 'horrific physical, emotional and sexual abuse' carried out by Joseph Marshall, whilst he ran Knottfield with his wife between 1973 and 1983. 

The work has been carried out by a Tynwald scrutiny committee, headed up by David Cretney MLC.

The document will be laid before Tynwald this month, then debated at a later sitting, once responses to the recommendations have been issued by the relevant parties.

The first recommendation of the committee is that the public interest demands the most rigorous approach to crimes against children, irrespective of the age and health of any alleged perpetrator.

Joseph Marshall was convicted of 13 offences relating to Knottfield in 1992, and was sentenced to three years in prison.

But earlier this year it was decided not to pursue further allegations made against him, because of his age and health.

Another recommendation asks Tynwald to authorise the committee to continue its work and look at the management of the home and the organisations which succeeded it, including the Children's Centre.

Other ones call for changes to compensation schemes, so applications can be made any time and sums payable properly reflect the pain and suffering endured by victims.

The full report and its set of recommendations can be viewed here: http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/20182021/2018-PP-0132(1).pdf

And here: http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/20182021/2018-PP-0132(2).pdf