Comments
Digital copy of Witness 252's second witness statement to the States of Jersey Police providing an account of her experiences in care at Haut de la Garenne. Signature witnessed by John Packer. [Some details redacted].
| Reference | ZC/D/AW1/B1/34/WS000087 |
| Date | 29 September 2008 |
| Scope and Content | Background and Early Life Includes comments about her childhood, referring to alcoholism of both parents. Recalls regular visits by her aunt and uncle having been called by neighbours or the police following domestic arguments between her parents. Recalls that her father regularly punished her brother using a belt. Haut de la Garenne States that she was at Haut de la Garenne between 1977 and 18 April 1979. Refers to placement into Baintree Group with her older brother. Includes recollections of Baintree Group, recalling its location within Haut de la Garenne and rooms including the eating area, common room, boot room and dormitories. Includes an estimate of the number of children in Baintree Group noting that boys and girls were not segregated during meal times. Describes initial response to life at Haut de la Garenne, referring to being regularly fed, clothed and schooled, camaraderie amongst residents and stability provided by daily routine. Includes comments about the routine upon reflection, describing it as archaic. Includes recollections of the children and houseparents in Baintree Group including descriptions of a female staff member and Morag Kidd. Recalls Morag's relationship with a man named Tony, noting that she later married Tony Jordan. Includes a description of the Tony that Morag was dating, stating that he was a volunteer at Haut de la Garenne and would take children to have canoeing lessons in the swimming pool at Fort Regent. Recalls that this Tony was related to a resident at Haut de la Garenne. Includes recollections of an incident where the fire alarm went off after a girl started a fire in a detention cell near Aviemore Group, stating that she has no recollection of seeing the girl after this incident. Includes comments about the use of detention rooms at Haut de la Garenne. Describes the life at Haut de la Garenne as regimented, providing details of the daily routine. Recalls being driven to school in a minibus by a staff member, recalling stopping at St Martin's School. Grouville [School] and Le Rocquier [School]. Also recalls being homeschooled at Haut de la Garenne. Recalls sleeping arrangements at Haut de la Garenne. Includes a description of the girls' dormitory in Baintree Group, recalling strict bedtimes, supervision by the female member of staff on duty, an intercom in the dormitory and punishment for talking during bedtime. Includes comments about the supervision by staff at Haut de la Garenne on weekends. Includes recollections of weekend staff, recalling that life was more relaxed and some residents would go home to their families or that family members would visit children in the Home. Recalls occasional visits by her mother and an incident where her father failed to show up. Also includes recollections of a female member of staff who provided part-time child care relief. Recalls going on a camping trip to Brockenhurst in Hampshire within the first 6 months that she was at Haut de la Garenne, including recollections of other children on the trip. Abuse and Consequences Recalls being forced fed food liver by Morag Kidd in Baintree Group at Haut de la Garenne. Recalls Morag Kidd or another female staff member physically abusing girls as punishment for talking after lights out in the dormitory. Recalls the frequency that this happened whilst resident at Haut de la Garenne. Recalls wetting the bed as a direct result of abuse. Describes a stigma at Haut de la Garenne attached to bedwetting, recalling that these staff would emotionally abuse children who wet the bed. Recalls witnessing other residents being physically abused in the same manner the dormitory. Events since leaving Care Describes changes in standards of, and approaches to, parenting since she was a child, commenting on impact of her own upbringing on her own parenting. |
| Names | Jordan, Tony Kidd, Morag Packer, John Watton, Tony Aviemore Baintree Fort Regent Grouville School Haut de la Garenne Le Rocquier School Operation Rectangle St Martin's School States of Jersey Police |
| Keywords | abuse | alcoholism | allegations | bedwetting | Camping | canoeing | child abuse | childcare | Children | children's homes | children's services | complaints | discipline | emotional abuse | evidence | families | Fires | houseparents | IJCI | interviews | investigations | physical abuse | Police | punishments | statements | witness statements | witnesses |
| Places | Brockenhurst, Fort Regent, Haut de la Garenne |
| Dimensions | 1 pdf file |
| Language | English |
| Level of description | File |
| Access restrictions | Closed for preservation - please consult digital copy |
Context:
Digital copy of Witness 252's second witness statement to the States of Jersey Police providing an account of her experiences in care at Haut de la Garenne. Signature witnessed by John Packer. [Some details redacted].
ZC/D/AW1/B1/34/WS000087
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