Beating and vile abuse at fortress Haut de la Garenne

For a vulnerable, bewildered child, it must have been terrifying.

Already alone in a scary place, he was then locked in a cold, dark cell and kept alone for two months.

The appalling treatment is revealed in papers seen by a politician turned whistleblower.
Nothing else is known of the victim, not even if he got out alive from fortresslike Haut de la Garenne.

Such stories of cruelty have remained hidden, despite years of rumour.

Former residents claim they were savagely beaten, indecently assaulted or raped by staff. Others say floggings and punches to the head were common.

It has also emerged that in 1966 a 14-year-old hanged himself to escape the suffering.

Police now fear the abuse could date to the 40s after the Victorian building, used as a signal station by Nazi occupiers in the Second World War, became a children's home.

For years it seemed the Jersey authorities were determined to hush it up.

But in September last year William Emslie, a social worker who had worked with youngsters who had lived at Haut de La Garenne before it closed in 1986, spoke out.

He was not the only one. Senator Stuart Syvret, Jersey's ex-minister for health and social services, was sacked last year after voicing concerns about children's services.

He claimed violent abuse in homes had gone on for 60 years, adding: "Documents show children were in solitary for weeks. One for two months.

"Two Haut de la Garenne victims told me of floggings, solitary confinement and of sexual abuse. Cover-ups go to the top."

He was vindicated last November when more than 140 people told an inquiry of harrowing experiences at the home.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/02/26/beating-and-vile-abuse-at-fortress-of-fear-89520-20331965/