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Child sex abuse inquiry public hearings under way Child sex abuse inquiry public hearings under way
(35 minutes later)
Former child migrants are to give "very emotional accounts" about the physical and sexual abuse they faced, the first public hearing in the independent inquiry into historical child abuse in England and Wales has been told.Former child migrants are to give "very emotional accounts" about the physical and sexual abuse they faced, the first public hearing in the independent inquiry into historical child abuse in England and Wales has been told.
Thousands of British children were sent to Australia and other parts of the British Empire up to 1974.Thousands of British children were sent to Australia and other parts of the British Empire up to 1974.
Inquiry counsel Henrietta Hill QC, said thousands faced "decades of pain".Inquiry counsel Henrietta Hill QC, said thousands faced "decades of pain".
Its chairwoman praised the "courage" of those who will give evidence.Its chairwoman praised the "courage" of those who will give evidence.
The first phase of the inquiry is looking at the way organisations have protected children outside the UK.The first phase of the inquiry is looking at the way organisations have protected children outside the UK.
It will eventually investigate claims against councils, religious organisations, the armed forces and public and private institutions.It will eventually investigate claims against councils, religious organisations, the armed forces and public and private institutions.
The abuse scandal of the children sent abroad The abuse scandal of the British children sent abroad
Thousands of children from poor families and the care system were sent to to parts of the British Empire in the past, including also New Zealand, Canada and what was Southern Rhodesia. Thousands of children from poor families and the care system were sent to parts of the British Empire, including also New Zealand, Canada and what was Southern Rhodesia.
Between 7,000 and 10,000 were moved to Australia after World War Two. They were recruited by religious institutions from both the Anglican and Catholic churches, or well-meaning charities, including Barnardo's and the Fairbridge Society, with the aim of giving them a better life.Between 7,000 and 10,000 were moved to Australia after World War Two. They were recruited by religious institutions from both the Anglican and Catholic churches, or well-meaning charities, including Barnardo's and the Fairbridge Society, with the aim of giving them a better life.
Many, however, went on to suffer physical and sexual abuse in homes and so-called farm schools run by religious orders and charities.Many, however, went on to suffer physical and sexual abuse in homes and so-called farm schools run by religious orders and charities.
Allegations children were picked by paedophiles to travel abroad and claims of a cover-up are expected to be made.Allegations children were picked by paedophiles to travel abroad and claims of a cover-up are expected to be made.
'Great challenges' 'Shameful period'
Opening the inquiry, chairwoman Prof Alexis Jay said the task of the panel is to examine the extent to which public and private institutions have failed to protect children from sexual abuse in the past. Aswini Weereratne QC, representing the Child Migrants Trust (CMT) support organisation, said this " long overdue inquiry" would hear of a "crushing catalogue of sexual abuse, deprivation, violence and abuse".
It would also make recommendations to keep children safe today and in the future, she added. She said the UK government "does not seek to defend" what she described as a "shameful period in the UK's recent history".
Prof Jay said: "We are conscious of the great challenges that many of you have encountered as a result of your experiences as children. Ms Weereratne said the inquiry will hear from 22 former child migrants - their average age was nine when deported and one was aged only three or four years old.
"I want to ensure you of the high priority that the inquiry places on this case study and on hearing your experiences."
Ms Hill said claims of "systematic sexual abuse" in institutions and work environments would be heard.Ms Hill said claims of "systematic sexual abuse" in institutions and work environments would be heard.
The children, she said, were sent without consent of parents, wrongly told they were orphans, and denied basic details about their family backgrounds during their future lives.The children, she said, were sent without consent of parents, wrongly told they were orphans, and denied basic details about their family backgrounds during their future lives.
Opening the inquiry, chairwoman Prof Alexis Jay said the task of the panel is to examine the extent to which public and private institutions have failed to protect children from sexual abuse in the past.
Prof Jay said: "We are conscious of the great challenges that many of you have encountered as a result of your experiences as children."
'Name the villains'
One of those giving evidence is David Hill who aged 12, was sent overseas with his two brothers to the Fairbridge Farm School in Western Australia.
Speaking at the hearing, he said: "We'll never be able to undo the great wrong that was done to these children. But what is important to the survivors of sexual abuse is where this inquiry is satisfied with the evidence - name the villains.
"Many of them are beyond the grave and therefore beyond the law but it would bring a great deal of the comfort to the people who as children were victims of these children if they were named and shamed."
In 2009, the Australian government apologised for the cruelty shown to the child migrants. Britain also made an apology in 2010. The apology contained no specific mention of sexual abuse.
Clifford Walsh, 72, claims he was raped and beaten at a Catholic institution, known as the Bindoon Boys Town, which was run by the Christian Brothers.Clifford Walsh, 72, claims he was raped and beaten at a Catholic institution, known as the Bindoon Boys Town, which was run by the Christian Brothers.
He recalls one brother luring him into his room with the promise he could have some sweet molasses - normally fed to cows - where he was abused.He recalls one brother luring him into his room with the promise he could have some sweet molasses - normally fed to cows - where he was abused.
"We had no parents, we had no relatives, there was nowhere we could go, these brothers - these paedophiles - must have thought they were in hog heaven," said Mr Walsh."We had no parents, we had no relatives, there was nowhere we could go, these brothers - these paedophiles - must have thought they were in hog heaven," said Mr Walsh.
'Scale much wider'
He said he was abused at least 30 times, including by one brother who forced him to perform oral sex.He said he was abused at least 30 times, including by one brother who forced him to perform oral sex.
Mr Walsh reported it to the priest in charge who went on to inform the principal of the establishment.
"The principal called me to his office and spoke so harshly to me I thought I was in trouble," he added.
"I didn't dare say anything about this brother so I said the priest must have misunderstood what I said and that was the end of that."
Mr Walsh feared he was in for another beating but instead was shipped off to another establishment for speaking out.
He says the abuse has had a lasting impact as he does not like to be touched by anyone, male or female.He says the abuse has had a lasting impact as he does not like to be touched by anyone, male or female.
"I don't know how I managed to have children because I didn't like my wife to sit next to me and I loved her dearly."
The BBC's home affairs correspondent Tom Symonds says the inquiry will be told that the scale of sexual abuse they suffered was much wider than previously thought.
Thirteen former child migrants are expected to have their evidence heard the first week of the hearing.
David Hill was 12 years old when was sent to Australia on the promise of a better life - but was beaten and abused.
He told Radio 4's Today programme: "Every childhood last a lifetime, and if you smash and break a child, you end up with a maimed adult.
"The research I've done into the sexual abuse of my colleagues at these child migrant centres suggest they never recover.
"It's a lifetime of low self-esteem, diminished confidence, guilt, shame, fear, trauma."
He said he hoped the inquiry would promote a public awareness of the terrible consequences of sexually abusing children.
In 2009, the Australian government apologised for the cruelty shown to the child migrants. Britain also made an apology in 2010.
A £6m family restoration fund was set up to allow the migrants to travel to the UK and ministers are now considering extending it.A £6m family restoration fund was set up to allow the migrants to travel to the UK and ministers are now considering extending it.
The independent inquiry was set up after the death of DJ Jimmy Savile in 2011 when hundreds of people came forward to say he had abused them as children.The independent inquiry was set up after the death of DJ Jimmy Savile in 2011 when hundreds of people came forward to say he had abused them as children.
The spotlight then fell on sexual assaults carried out in schools, children's homes and at NHS sites, as well as on claims of past failures by police and prosecutors to properly investigate allegations.
The hearings are taking place at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in central London, with the first phase concerning Australia expected to last 10 days.The hearings are taking place at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in central London, with the first phase concerning Australia expected to last 10 days.