A report into the UK's largest child abuse investigation is expected to criticise the care system which failed hundreds of children and to recommend far-reaching reforms.

The Waterhouse tribunal heard evidence at Ewloe in north Wales for more than a year. It cost more than £12m and it has taken almost two years for its report to be completed and published.

But some of the victims are angry at leaks which suggest it will not name more abusers or back allegations of a paedophile ring operation in the area.

The report is likely to criticise those who ran the system and recommend a series of changes for the 4,000 children who are currently looked after by local authorities in Wales.

Sir Ronald Waterhouse took two years to complete the report

Sir Ronald Waterhouse and his two fellow tribunal members heard the complaints of 650 people who had been in care in north Wales since 1974.

Much of the abuse took place at Bryn Estyn Children's Home in Wrexham, where paedophiles like Peter Howarth - a former housemaster - sexually abused boys as young as 12.

Howarth was jailed in 1994 for 10 years. He died in prison.

But for one of his victims, Andrew Teague, the repurcussions of Howarth's attacks are relived almost every day.

"They are the scum of the earth," he said.

"They can paint it any way they like - psychiatrists, psychologists - they can say what they like about them, they are scum."

A total of four members of staff who worked at Bryn Estyn have been convicted of either sexual or physical abuse of children sent to the home.

Much of the abuse took place at Bryn Estyn home

However, Bryn Estyn was not unique. Complaints were made to the tribunal about 40 homes throughout Gwynedd and Clwyd.

Sexual and physical abuse

Not all the alleged abuse - at homes across the region - was sexual. Much was physical - children being thumped, kicked and hit for minor misdemeanours.

Some children did complain, but according to Chris Walby - a social services expert helping with another child abuse investigation in Merseyside - their word counted for little in an atmophere where they were not listened to or believed.

"There was definitely a potential - particularly in the larger, more isolated homes - for people who were so inclined to abuse their power, because they were in a very powerful position," she said.

In the 80s, North Wales Police began investigating the claims, but its inquiry was later criticised as sluggish, shallow and inadequate.

Still the allegations persisted, and the former Clwyd County Council commissioned a report from an independent expert, John Jillings.

Negligent

The Jillings Report named abusers and those considered negligent in failing to stop their activities - including a lack of will on the part of the Welsh Office's Social Services Inspectorate.

But the council was frightened off from publishing the Jillings Report by its own insurers.

Finally in 1996, William Hague - then Welsh Secretary - decided an inquiry was the only way of quelling public disquiet.

Those who worked in childcare then - and now - know the report's criticisms are likely to be harsh and its recommendations far-reaching.

Protecting children in the future

Wrexham councillor Malcolm King fought for the inquiry. He believes the Waterhouse report will have a huge impact on councils throughout Britain.

"There's a total acceptance that across Britain we have all totally failed to protect the most vulnerable children in our care," he said.

There are still concerns that the report may shy away from naming all those suspected of abuse and of allowing it to happen.

Sir Ronald will also need to decide whether the evidence backs claims that there was an organised paedophile ring operating in north Wales which helped abusers infiltrate the care system.

Some victims have already received compensation. A court action involving many others will be heard next month.

But other victims, like Owen Long of Aberdare, have refused money. For them making sure children are protected in the future is more important.

source:
BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/wales/newsid_642000/642735.stm

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