Abuse victims claim pounds 14m in payouts
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More than 120 young men who say they were abused in children's homes in Cheshire are seeking compensation of up to pounds 14m.
Lawyers acting for victims have also been granted legal aid to press for a public inquiry into the biggest child-abuse scandal in Britain, in which 111 people have been accused of abuse and 10 men have now been jailed.
Following the conviction on Friday of Keith Laverack, a former housemaster and teacher who molested and raped teenagers at homes in Cheshire and Cambridgeshire, a public inquiry has been urged into the infiltration of homes in the North-west by paedophiles. Laverack was one of 12 paedophiles exposed by one of the lengthiest investigations into child abuse ever undertaken.
Eleven have received long prison sentences. More than 1,300 former residents of homes in Clwyd, Cheshire and Merseyside have alleged they were abused during the Seventies and Eighties, and more than 200 people have been named as alleged abusers.
One in three police forces in Britain have been investigating allegations of abuse in residential homes. In some cases alleged abusers, almost all care workers, left a trail of allegations in other areas across the country where they had worked.
There are increasing fears that publicised cases are the tip of an iceberg and that Britain's children's homes have been a magnet for paedophiles.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments