Senator Sam Mézec said that an invitation had been extended to those opposing the memorial to discuss their concerns.
The government has set out plans – based upon a recommendation by a citizens’ panel following the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry’s finding that the suffering of those abused should be recognised in some way – to unveil a memorial to people who suffered in the Island’s care homes.
However, the move has sparked a fierce backlash, with some accusing the plans of being a government vanity project designed to ‘make themselves feel better’.
A protest was held yesterday at the Weighbridge – the proposed site for the memorial – organised by paedophile hunter Cheyenne O’Connor.
She said: ‘We have come here to make sure every single survivor is given a voice. We need to see a massive change in the system and see those in government and law officers being held to account for their wrongdoings.
‘Ultimately, what we want is a way forward that we can all live with and to have a civilised conversation. Every survivor and victim is on a different journey in their lives
and some are not ready for this reminder.’
Two Islanders who have been in care – one in Wales and one in Jersey – spoke at the protest to voice their anger at the proposals.
Rick Jones said despite not having been in Jersey’s care system, the discussions surrounding the memorial meant he had found himself ‘back in the worst time of my life’.
‘Don’t put them [survivors] back to somewhere where they are vulnerable’, he said. ‘A lot of these people when they came forward they can be marked as a troublemaker.
‘People are coming forward against this and they are being marked as troublemakers again.’
Meanwhile, Natalie Strecker said the proposals had left some survivors contemplating suicide at the thought of having a permanent reminder to the abuse they suffered.
She said: ‘There should be only one group of people who get to make this decision and that is the survivors. This should not be about our Island’s government trying to ease their conscience.’
Senator Mézec, who attended and spoke to some of those who went to the protest, said ministers needed to understand the perspectives of those who went through the care system and listen to both sides of the argument. He said: ‘We need to work out how we have those discussions. I think we have to make it clear that they are on the same side.
‘They want justice for victims of the care system and they want a commitment that things will get better and that those failures won’t be allowed to happen again.’
