The project follows a recommendation from the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry panel that ‘some form of tangible public acknowledgement’ of abuse be created.
But it has faced fierce criticism from Islanders, including some abuse survivors, who say it is a waste of public money, and would simply be a lasting reminder to victims of the horrors they have endured.
The costs incurred so far are from the running of a Citizens Panel, established to develop what form the memorial should take, between June 2019 and October 2020.
A 2018 report published by the panel said the memorial should be situated in a ‘highly prominent’ position so that all Islanders are reminded of the injustice that took place and how Jersey children were failed by the government’s care system.
A petition against its installation has gathered 3,000 signatures, and a protest led by paedophile-hunter Cheyenne O’Connor was held at the Weighbridge last month.
One survivor, who went by the name ‘William’, said he thought the memorial could trigger post-traumatic stress disorder in some survivors and lead to suicides.
He added that those who were continuing to ignore survivors and support the idea were doing so to benefit their own political and personal motives.
The memorial will be erected in one of two possible places at the Weighbridge, with work anticipated to begin in 2021 before it is unveiled on Jersey Children’s Day, 3 July 2022.
The design is yet to be finalised, and the overall cost of the project is expected to be £200,000.
