Counter Pedophilia Investigate Unit

The Archbishop of York has confirmed he is setting up an independent inquiry into child abuse claims against a former cathedral dean, saying the Church of England treats such allegations “with the utmost seriousness.”

Dr John Sentamu’s statement comes after his predecessor, Lord Hope of Thornes, denied suggestions he covered up allegations against Robert Waddington, a former Dean of Manchester Cathedral, who died from cancer five years ago. (more…)

“Some serious cultural change in a number of agencies” is needed to improve the handling of child sexual abuse cases in Ireland, a conference on childcare and the law has been told. Barrister Úna Ní Raifeartaigh SC, who specialises in criminal law, said until changes are made “we are all complicit in a system which is itself capable of perpetrating further abuses on children”.

She said she had heard lawyers saying they would not put their own children through it. This was a terrible indictment of the system and numerous practical steps needed to be taken to improve the system.

‘Day-to-day insensitivities’ (more…)

Allegations of historical child abuse at the music school founded by violinist Yehudi Menuhin are being investigated by police.

The Yehudi Menuhin School, in Cobham, Surrey, said the allegations revolved around a member of staff in the 1960s.

It is understood to be pianist Marcel Gazelle, who died in 1969.

Surrey Police said officers were liaising with the school about the allegations and encouraged anyone with concerns to contact the force.

The allegations, made on Channel 4 News, include claims the founding music director of the school sexually abused girl pupils as young as 10 in the 1960s. (more…)

Comedian Jimmy Tarbuck has been arrested over an allegation of child sex abuse dating back to the 1970s.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed that a 73-year-old man was arrested in Kingston upon Thames on 26 April.

The entertainer and quiz show host – who has an OBE for services to showbusiness and charity – was released on bail pending further enquiries.

A police statement said he was questioned about an alleged assault on a young boy in the late 1970s. (more…)

A Spanish nonprofit organization created a clever advertising strategy that both provides a safe way for an abused child to call for help as well as highlight the deceptive nature of families that house child abuse.

The ad, using lenticular printing technology, displays different messages when seen at varying angles. When an adult — or anyone taller than four feet and five inches — sees the ad, all they will see is a picture of a forlorn boy with the caption, “Sometimes, child abuse is only visible to the child suffering it.”
(more…)

A U.S. Army major and his wife are facing federal child-abuse charges for cruelty to their six children, three of whom were adopted. The alleged acts of cruelty include breaking their bones, denying them medical attention, withholding water and force-feeding them hot sauce, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said today.

John E. Jackson, 37, and Carolyn Jackson, 35, worked at the Picatinny Arsenal Installation in Morris County, N.J. Because the alleged crimes occurred on a military base, they will be tried in a federal court.
The Jacksons are charged in a 17-count indictment with one count of conspiracy to endanger the welfare of a child, 13 counts of endangering the welfare of a child and three counts of assault. (more…)

A man who amassed a collection of almost 25,000 child abuse images “as a hobby” has been jailed.

Kenneth Stalker downloaded the images over a two year period to “give him the thrill his life was lacking”.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard that Stalker “made it his occupation” to scour internet sites “filtering through” pictures to find the ones he wanted to add to his computer store.

The court heard that as a result of a tip off police raided his home in Craigmount Road, Dundee, on May 3 last year. (more…)

FEDERAL Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has defended the appointment of Robert Fitzgerald as one of the commissioners investigating child sexual abuse.

Victim support groups have led a chorus of people calling for Mr Fitzgerald, a former Deputy Ombudsman of NSW and Commissioner for Disability, to resign because of his strong links to the Catholic Church.

But Mr Dreyfus rejected calls to remove Mr Fitzgerald, one of six commissioners conducting the inquiry, making the point he was chosen following a “rigorous selection process”.

“I think we have to look at who Mr Fitzgerald is; we have to say that he accepted this role in good faith and in the knowledge that it will be a long, deep and difficult investigation into responses by institutions, including the Catholic Church. (more…)

An Apopka man has been charged with felony murder after the death of his 1-year-old daughter.

Rony Veus, 23, had been arrested and charged Thursday with aggravated battery stemming from abuse of his daughter, Honey Veus.

Honey Veus died Saturday evening, after suffering irreversible brain damage from extensive injuries to her head, face and eye area, according to Apopka police.

Veus told investigators he had pulled his daughter’s hair, pushed her to the ground, thrown her on the bed, burned her with a cigar and forced her to eat cinnamon. He also said that he had recently brought his daughter to the United States from the Philippines, where the girl’s mother lives. (more…)

A man and a woman are in police custody Wednesday morning, after two of their children showed signs of abuse.

Chicago police officers were called to an apartment on the 8200 block of South Ellis, Tuesday night.

The officers were responding to a report of a disturbance when they found two young children with bruises.

Two other children were also home. (more…)