Tynwald asked to apologise for Knottfield failings

Committee calls for failings to be acknowledged

Tynwald will be asked to apologise for its part in the failings that resulted in sexual abuse at a former children's home on the Isle of Man.

A report from a committee investigating historical abuse allegations at Knottfield will present its recommendations to the Island's parliament next month.

The Social Affairs Policy Review Committee looked into events at Knottfield in 2018 and 2019, and now that criminal proceedings have been completed, has published a list of 11 recommendations.

Among them is a call for Tynwald to acknowledge that serious mistakes were made in relation to the care of children between 1961 and 1983, and that it deeply regrets and apologises for its part in the failures of public authorities for many decades.

Tynwald will also be asked to support a rigorous approach to crime against children, and to back a review into the sums payable to victims under the Island's Criminal Injuries Compensation Schemes - existing legislation allows for compensation of between £1,000 and £33,000 for children who were sexually abused.

There's also a focus on offering increased support to victims, with the committee asking for the Council of Ministers to consider improving services for adults who disclose that they were abused as children, as well as consideration for a person to promote the interests of victims and witnesses, similar to the UK's Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses.

The committee is also seeking an annual evidence session with the Island's Safeguarding Board, and wants the panel to give special regard to the needs of those abused as children.

The chair of the committee, Douglas Central MHK Ann Corlett, will seek approval for the recommendations when Tynwald sits next month.