THE HERALD FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10 2017
Like us on Facebook
facebook.com/thepembrokeshireherald
Children need help not a criminal record BARNARDO’s Cymru say a
growing number of children and young people are being criminalised for sexual offences when they should be getting specialist help instead. Welsh police forces have revealed a
55% increase in the number of children and young people being reported for sexual crimes against other children in the last four years, up from 250 to 388. But Barnardo’s Cymru say the
figures prove increased criminalisation of young people rather than an increase in inappropriate sexual behaviour and that many of the perpetrators are victims of abuse, domestic violence and neglect. The charity believes that Wales has
been leading the way in tackling harmful sexual behaviour in children and young people since 2000 when they joined with local authorities and South Wales Police to establish the Taith service to provide assessment and interventions. The model has since had an influence across the UK, Europe, Australia and North America. Pat Duke, Assistant Director of
Barnardo’s Cymru, believes the latest police figures, obtained by Barnardo’s under the Freedom of Information Act, show an increase in criminalisation rather than abuse. “This rise in criminalisation is of huge
concern, particularly as across the South Wales local authorities, this pattern is not mirrored in referrals to Taith.” Barnardo’s Cymru and Taith are
planning to raise the issue with the Welsh Government. In the last 16 years Taith has received
more than 1,500 referrals, more than a third of those young people have been sexually abused themselves, 60% exposed to domestic violence and 50% neglected. Taith’s multi-agency approach has
been adopted as part of the All Wales Child Protection Procedures which recognise that, except where the offence is particularly serious or where the child is in denial, the most appropriate mechanism for managing cases is the child protection system rather than the Criminal Justice System. Research has proved the effectiveness
of specialist help. Over a four year period the reoffending rate of those referred to Taith was just 2%, far lower than other juvenile offending. Mr Duke said: “It is hugely important
to recognise the initial trauma and abuse which has triggered the formation of attitudes and beliefs and personality deficits which inform abuse or harm to others. “There is an obvious link to childhood
experience of abuse and trauma and Welsh Government has invested in a Barnardo's/Cardiff University research development project to create models of early intervention on the first signs of problematic sexual behaviour in order to prevent escalation to sexual offending or involvement in child sexual exploitation. “In many ways, we in Wales have led
the way in responding to sexually harmful behaviour among children and young people and these recent figures should cause concern as to the application of the guidance and procedures, we in Wales produced.”
13 News THE NEW Johnston CP
Primary School has been officially opened by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams AM. The school – which opened its
doors to pupils in the New Year – represents a £6.4 million investment in education in the village. It is the third new school built in
Pembrokeshire under the 21st Century Schools Programme – a collaboration between Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government, who are sharing the funding. It caters for 210 full-time pupils
as well as providing nursery facilities and a Learning Resource Centre (LRC) for up to 20 children with complex or additional needs. Mrs Williams was welcomed to the school on Thursday (Feb 2) by
Johnston pupil Conor Bryant-Jones meets Kirsty Williams
Council Chairman Tony Brinsden and Headteacher Gareth Thomas. After unveiling a plaque, the
Cabinet Secretary toured classrooms and met pupils and teaching staff. As well as the infant and junior
classrooms, early years unit and LRC, there is a technology room, library, plant room, hall and kitchen. The outdoor space includes
learning, social and play areas and a multi-use games area – with some facilities accessible to the community
out of school hours. The development also includes a
new footpath and crossing to link with the existing footpath on Langford Road. The school was designed by
the County Council’s in-house design team and constructed by Haverfordwest contractor W. B. Griffiths and Son. Located off Langford Road,
Johnston, it replaces the old school building in Cranham Park.
Kirsty Williams AM, Cabinet Secretary for Education, chats to nursery pupil Georgie Louise-Williams
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
