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North Wales care abuse: Jillings report published after 17 years North Wales care abuse: Jillings report published after 17 years
(35 minutes later)
A report written 17 years ago into claims of abuse at children's homes in north Wales in the 1970s and 80s is finally being published. A report written 17 years ago into claims of abuse at children's homes in north Wales in the 1970s and 1980s is finally being published.
Its author John Jillings told the BBC that abuse was widespread and that children "weren't treated like human beings" by some staff.Its author John Jillings told the BBC that abuse was widespread and that children "weren't treated like human beings" by some staff.
His 1996 report was shelved by the former Clwyd county council because of potential compensation claims. His 1996 report was shelved by the former Clwyd county council because insurers feared compensation claims.
It is being published now in the wake of fresh investigations into the abuse.It is being published now in the wake of fresh investigations into the abuse.
Separate inquiries are looking at whether abuse claims were more widespread than previously thought.Separate inquiries are looking at whether abuse claims were more widespread than previously thought.
Allegations of abuse at several children's homes, including the former Bryn Estyn home in Wrexham, emerged in the 1990s.Allegations of abuse at several children's homes, including the former Bryn Estyn home in Wrexham, emerged in the 1990s.
North Wales Police investigated the claims in 1991 and seven former care workers were convicted.North Wales Police investigated the claims in 1991 and seven former care workers were convicted.
But as more claims of widespread abuse in almost 40 homes emerged, the former Clwyd County Council commissioned Mr Jillings in March 1994 to investigate.But as more claims of widespread abuse in almost 40 homes emerged, the former Clwyd County Council commissioned Mr Jillings in March 1994 to investigate.
'Bestial''Bestial'
Mr Jillings, a former director of social services for Derbyshire, said the council was worried about costly insurance claims and his report never saw the light of day.Mr Jillings, a former director of social services for Derbyshire, said the council was worried about costly insurance claims and his report never saw the light of day.
A redacted [edited] version of the 300-page report will finally be made public and published online on Monday. A redacted [edited] version of the 300-page report will finally be made public and published online on Monday following a Freedom of Information (FoI) request by the BBC.
Mr Jillings told the BBC that abuse was widespread within a group of homes where children were isolated. Interviewed shortly before its publication Mr Jillings told the BBC that abuse was widespread within a group of homes where children were isolated.
He said: "They didn't have regular supervisory visits from headquarters staff, as I understand it. Or if they did, they weren't very searching.He said: "They didn't have regular supervisory visits from headquarters staff, as I understand it. Or if they did, they weren't very searching.
"So the staff for 99% of their time were on their own with the children, could treat them as they wished."So the staff for 99% of their time were on their own with the children, could treat them as they wished.
"They regarded them as children who were out of control and they thought the way of dealing with that is by severely treating them."They regarded them as children who were out of control and they thought the way of dealing with that is by severely treating them.
"The treatment of children was bestial really; they weren't treated like human beings, by some members of staff at any rate."The treatment of children was bestial really; they weren't treated like human beings, by some members of staff at any rate.
"I mean some children died, 10 children died. Some of them committed suicide.""I mean some children died, 10 children died. Some of them committed suicide."
The Jillings inquiry was followed by another investigation by the late Sir Ronald Waterhouse, which took four years to complete.The Jillings inquiry was followed by another investigation by the late Sir Ronald Waterhouse, which took four years to complete.
Sir Ronald found there had been "appalling mistreatment" of children over a period of 20 years.Sir Ronald found there had been "appalling mistreatment" of children over a period of 20 years.
He had gathered evidence from 650 people, with most allegations focusing on seven homes.He had gathered evidence from 650 people, with most allegations focusing on seven homes.
Last year the scandal re-emerged after a victim claimed the Waterhouse report in 2000 had not uncovered the full scale of the abuse.Last year the scandal re-emerged after a victim claimed the Waterhouse report in 2000 had not uncovered the full scale of the abuse.
Home Secretary Theresa May then launched a new police inquiry into the abuse allegations.Home Secretary Theresa May then launched a new police inquiry into the abuse allegations.
And Clwyd council's successor authorities such as Flintshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council began searching their archives for a copy of that report.And Clwyd council's successor authorities such as Flintshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council began searching their archives for a copy of that report.
The successor authorities are also due to publish a statement and outline the reasons for the redactions that have been made.The successor authorities are also due to publish a statement and outline the reasons for the redactions that have been made.