Market Weighton abuse victim hails ruling
A children's home abuse victim who is eligible for part of a £8m compensation payout today insisted that 'it was never about the money'.
Rape victim Graham Baverstock spoke out after a judge ruled that the Roman Catholic Middlesbrough Diocese was responsible for running an East Riding children's home where 142 boys were abused.
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St William's Community Home
The boys were sexually assaulted at St William's Community Home in Market Weighton between 1972 and 1990 in one of the country's biggest abuse cases.
At least 20 of the victims are now living in Hull.
A judge at Leeds Crown Court has ruled the Roman Catholic Middlesbrough Diocese was responsible for the home rather than the De La Salle Brothers, a Catholic order of lay teachers, who taught at it.
Now the 142 victims can finally seek an estimated £8m in damages from the church.
But Mr Baverstock, from Bridlington, told the Mail that those claiming are primarily seeking justice.
The 51-year-old said: "It is not all about compensation. It's about what they did to us. We were children and they subjected us to sustained physical sexual abuse and beatings. They neglected and traumatised us.
"I'm delighted the court has recognised the diocese was responsible.
"It should be ashamed for putting the victims through the most oppressive regime of brutality and sexual abuse.
"Not once have we had an apology. They have treated us with contempt.
"If there are more victims out there I urge them to come forward. There is no need to be scared any more."
Brother James Carragher, now 74, abused boys at the home between 1968 to 1990. He is serving a prison sentence.
Mr Baverstock claims he was raped by Carragher in 1973.
3 Comments
by ddgrant, Greater Toronto
Tuesday, April 06 2010, 5:10AM
“At least the offenders in this case ended up before the courts. In the case of Father John Tolkien who abused English Martyrs RC Church Birmingham whilst padre to the 159th Boy Scout troop it appears there will never be any closure for the victims. Thanks to the his wealth gained through the royalties from his father's childrens' books (irony of ironies!) his lawyers were able to delay process until the CPS could rule that he was not fit for trial. There is no reason however that the Archdiocese of Birmingham should not be made to reveal all it knew about Tolkien's offending and the reasons behind his mant career moves. It has been alleged by his victims that so widespread was his offending that "Tolly's gonna get ya." was almost a slogan at English Martyrs Scouts.”
by HMcCamley, Brunei
Thursday, February 04 2010, 1:44AM
“Now it is time to eradicate the other places where physical and sexual abuse may have been hidden by irresponsible & furtive bishops and clergy. If there are others they need to be exposed and prosecuted. This silent but scandalous persecution has to be brought to an end. We know that most active church people do a great job but they need to ensure the reprobates among them are charged and dealt with by the criminal justice system and not allowed to continue clandestinely destroying young lives.”
by Anon, Hull
Thursday, November 05 2009, 10:06AM
“I hope Graham and all the other victims can now move on,I know that you will never forget those terrible times ,I was also in one of those homes in the sixties and know what went on in them,it was not all the staff that comitted these sickening crimes,most of them were very caring people. Its just a shame it took so long for these perverts to be brought before the courts and many victims remained silent.”