Jersey Investigation

More than 160 people having now contacted the police to say they were abused at Haute de la Garenne.

If anything positive is to come out of these gruesome events, perhaps it’s highlighting just how important it is to make sure those suffering at the hands of abusers have access to help.

Many people who are, or have been, abused feel totally isolated and have no idea where to turn to for support and advice.

One vital organisation offering assistance to those in need is Childline, and a specific Jersey branch of the helpline was set up in the early ‘90s.

Esther Rantzen, Chair of Childline, explained the Jersey government asked the charity to set up a dedicated line for Jersey youngsters, but for it to be answered in London.

She said “the crucial point” was that the special Jersey line was answered on the mainland.

“When you have a small, tight community where so many people know each other children who have something desperately painful to confide…need to trust the person who is answering the phone.

“They need to know that person won’t identify them, that the information won’t be fed back to people who can do them harm. So it was actually a very enlightened request by Jersey,” she told BBC Jersey.

She went on to explain “the helpline can be the one place that they trust”.

You can call Childline on 0800 11 11. The number will not show up on a phone bill.

Haute de la Garenne Helpline

Police say it is vital that any alleged victims still unidentified contact the incident room as soon as possible, on 0800 735 7777.

There is also an NSPCC helpline on 0800 169 1173 within Jersey, or + 44 (0)20 7825 7489 from outside.