New ‘Jersey Way’ is needed, say campaigners

During a press conference, a group led by Deputy Montfort Tadier produced a list of objectives they believe need to be implemented to arrive at a ‘new era’ of child protection in Jersey.

The group, which also included bloggers Neil McMurray and Rico Sorda, as well as Deputy Mike Higgins and former Deputy Daniel Wimberley, added that it felt that Islanders had had to risk their careers to put their ‘head above the parapet’ and raise the issues of child abuse in Jersey.

Among its recommendations was that a ‘new Jersey Way’ needed to emerge, which would comprise the principles of honesty, timely action, accountability, a listening culture and a spirit of open debate as well as an end to complacency and an understanding among Islanders of the role of government spending in a modern democracy.

Reading out a statement from the group, Deputy Tadier said: ‘The cultural changes required are huge.

‘The report goes no further than saying that these events, although reprehensible, were not relevant to their task.

‘However, what do these removals and suspensions tell us? Their significance is the depth of change required.’

Deputy Higgins said that he believed that a ‘persecution culture’ existed in the Island, which still lingered.

‘There’s a view in this Island that anyone who raises their head above the parapet will get it shot off.

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