Rochdale Council considering compensating victims of child sex abuse

The findings of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

Rochdale Borough Council is considering compensating child sex abuse victims after it was criticised in a report for failing to protect vulnerable children.

The damning report published earlier this month by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) concluded that whilst “there had been no deliberate cover-up” at Knowl View residential school, there had been “a careless and wholly inadequate response.”

A council spokesman said: “There are a number of cases being considered.”

The local authority has also confirmed a formal response to the report will be given following a meeting after the elections on 3 May.

The report also found staff treated the sexual abuse among the boys as ‘normal’ and boys as young as 11 were seen as “authors of their own abuse”.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/117945/-knowl-view-there-was-no-deliberate-coverup-independent-inquiry-finds

The inquiry also concluded that the former leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Richard Farnell lied when giving evidence, accusing him of lying under oath about his knowledge of child abuse at Knowl View residential school. Other evidence presented suggested Mr Farnell must have known, at least in general, about child sexual abuse at the now-closed school.

Mr Farnell, who has been suspended from the Labour Party over the damning findings, still maintains he told the truth during the inquiry. He resigned as leader of Rochdale Council following the inquiry.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/117935/former-leader-of-council-suspended-from-labour-party-over-damning-inquiry-findings

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/117939/richard-farnell-lied-to-independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-abuse

Following the publication of the findings, solicitor Richard Scorer, who represented victims during the investigation, called for Rochdale Council’s “toxic” political leadership to be overhauled so that the town can move on from its child abuse scandal. 

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/118034/lawyer-calls-for-rochdale-council’s-“toxic”-political-leadership-to-be-overhauled

Mr Scorer claimed Labour had allowed Rochdale’s political leaders to act in a “dysfunctional bubble” and any improvements are being undermined by the council’s political leadership.