London - Victims of child abuse and child protection groups have criticised the British government's response to the Waterhouse report into systematic sexual and emotional abuse in care homes in North Wales, saying it does not go far enough to address the problems, Rachel Donnelly reports.
The government confirmed yesterday it would appoint a children's rights commissioner for Wales and a similar post in England as part of its response to the 72 recommendations contained in the Waterhouse report, which provided damning evidence about more than 200 children abused in care homes in North Wales between 1974 and 1990. At least 12 victims committed suicide, and several people have been convicted and imprisoned for their part in abusing the children.
However, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Children accused the government of failing children by not appointing a commissioner for the whole of the UK. And a spokesman for the North Wales Abuse Survivors group, Mr Steve Messham, said victims had been ignored and there was no mention of compensation, counselling or support in the government's response.