Knottfield: Child abuse ordeal has left 'black mark' on Island

MHK who chaired report into children's home welcomes apology for victims

*This report contains information which some readers may find distressing.

Historical abuse which took place at a children’s home in Douglas in the 1970s and 1980s has left a ‘black mark’ on the Isle of Man.

That’s the view of a former politician who says an apology for the victims of Knottfield has been ‘a long time coming’.

Last year former ‘senior house parent’ Joseph Henry Marshall was convicted – at the age of 85 - of sexually abusing young boys who were in his care; he was jailed for six years.

A subsequent attempt to appeal his sentence was dismissed with the prosecutor pointing out that it was difficult to imagine ‘a more serious and gross breach of trust’.

Now – half a century later – the victims who suffered at the hands of the predatory sex offender have received a heartfelt apology from the Manx Government.

It’s something which has been called for since 2017 when former Ayre and Michael MHK Tim Baker urged Tynwald to investigate what happened at the children’s home decades before:

His pleas were heard and the Social Affairs Policy Review Committee began an in-depth investigation taking evidence from victims of Knottfield.

However due to further criminal proceedings brought against Marshall the report and its recommendations were withdrawn.

Only now, following the conclusion of those proceedings, is it able to be published and taken back to Tynwald for approval.  

Former Douglas South MHK David Cretney was the man who chaired the Social Affairs Policy Review Committee:

All 11 recommendations in the report have been supported by the Council of Ministers – they’ll be debated in Tynwald in February.

You can find details of the recommendations – which include compensation schemes for those affected – and the chief minister's apology in full HERE.

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by this article you can find information on organisations which can provide advice and support HERE.