‘We’ve been fighting for this’ but there’s more work to do, survivors sayPublished at 17:16 GMT
ed thomas
BBC News
BBC News today spent time with survivors of historic sexual abuse in Oldham as they traveled to Birmingham to meet Jess Phillips MP, Under Secretary of State for Safety and Violence against Women and Girls.
In two separate meetings, the women discussed their experiences and concerns. But at the same time, they were all given new details about the government’s latest response, including a “fast-track audit” of the country and the introduction of tougher penalties for perpetrators.
Sarah and Amelia embraced as they listened to a statement from Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
“We have been fighting for this,” they said through tears.
After spending time with Phillips, Amelia said: “I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. I’m happy for now, but actions speak louder than words.”
However, survivors Sam and “Jane” were not satisfied and said they did not feel heard.
“We want a government investigation into Oldham and other towns,” Sam told the BBC. “We know what’s right and what’s wrong. We know that a government-led investigation is different from a Congressional-led investigation.”
Women expressed frustration that the government’s decision on today’s announcement had already been taken before the talks took place.
“We’re not the only ones disappointed,” Jane explained. “We are survivors, we have been through what we have been through, and now it is our children who are going through it, other people as well, so we are failing them. We don’t want to. That’s the whole point of what we’re fighting for. We won’t let them down in any way. We’ll always stand up for them. ”
‘Sarah’, ‘Amelia’ and ‘Jane’ are not the women’s real names and their identities are being protected by the BBC. Last week they spoke to the BBC about their concerns. You can read the full story here.
