Police say it is vital that any alleged victims still unidentified contact the incident room as soon as possible, on 0800 735 7777.

There is also an NSPCC helpline on 0800 169 1173 within Jersey, or + 44(0)20 7825 7489 from outside.

Jersey Chief Minister confronts abuse crisis

When Stuart Syvret was ousted from his position as Jersey's Health Minister last year after exposing alleged child abuse in the island's children's homes, Frank Walker, the Chief Minister, accused him of damaging Jersey's reputation by speaking to the media.

But after Mr Syvret's claims of widespread child abuse on the island may prove gruesomely accurate, Mr Walker finds himself presiding over Jersey's biggest crisis since the Second World War.

His spat with Mr Syvret last year was not the first time the two men have clashed - in 1998, before he was the Chief Minister, Mr Walker had to defend himself against suggestions that there was a potential conflict of interest between his political role and his chairmanship of the parent company of the Jersey Evening Post, the island's only newspaper.

Mr Syvret was at the time an outspoken critic of alleged conflicts of interest between business and political interests among the States of Jersey's members.

Mr Walker, appointed Chief Minister in 2005, set up an independent inquiry into Mr Syvret's abuse claims last year, which is being led by British childcare expert Andrew Williamson.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/26/njersey126.xml

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