Statement from Frances Oldham QC, Chair of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry. March 2015.
Channel: Independent Jersey Care Inquiry
Date: 2015-03-06

The Chair of the IJCI Frances Oldham QC has made a statement on the progress of the Inquiry. Mrs Oldham was speaking at the close of Phase 1a of the hearings during which former residents of Jersey's care system gave evidence.

00:00 Slate
00:05 "So far the Inquiry has heard from 203 witnesses who have given evidence about their experiences of Jersey’s child care services since 1945. Our first challenge has been to gain the confidence and trust of victims. Whilst there have been some positive accounts, most of what we have heard has related to painful and damaging experiences. The first Phase of the Inquiry has been slow and painstaking, - not least because of the difficulty many of the victims have had to wrestle with emotionally in terms of firstly giving a statement - and then deciding whether to give evidence in public.
00:43 "I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has come forward and contributed to the work of the Inquiry. It is important that we now move to the next stage. We must establish the truth about how mistreatment of children remained hidden for so long and what was done when concerns were raised.
We must also consider whether appropriate decisions were taken in deciding whether to prosecute individuals - and whether there was political or other interference in those decisions. We now begin therefore an intense period of preparation for the next phase of the Inquiry.
01:23 "This is when we will hear evidence from those who worked in Children’s Services or were in contact with child care on Jersey. We will also hear from some of those accused of abuse. The Inquiry will sit for three days the week beginning April 13th. We will hear evidence from a witness who is not available at a later date.
We will then begin with a full timetable of hearings from the week beginning May the 4th and sit four days each week Tuesday through to Friday. The Inquiry is grateful for the assistance and co operation of all Interested Parties and other agencies in Jersey."
01:57 End