Children in Chambers of Cruelty

Haut de la Garenne (High Fishing Preserve), a children's home that stood on the idyllic Jersey Island in the UK, was an imposing structure that housed orphans between 11 to 15 years old. The children, who have known no home nor parents were housed in this grand structure to receive care, attention and affection. But within the walls where no cry could be heard beyond its imposing boundaries, the children were subjected to severe doses of torture, abuse, starvation, pain, rape, and the indignities of being merchandised for sex among the island's pedophiles and child abusers.

More than 160 people have come forward to expose the horror of their individual experience, that police have now plotted as a 30 year span. Victims spoke of being drugged with valium when parties were held, where people outside of the Home would be invited to partake of the available children for whatever they fancy. They spoke of underground chambers and dark cellars where they would be shackled for long periods alone, given only bread and water and their daily dose of beatings. No one believed the children at the time since they were considered unstable witnesses. The fact is, a culture of cover up existed even among officials of the island; and the children have always been considered expendable merchandise not to be taken seriously, and whom no one would miss.

Police have found human skull, and have uncovered several chambers that give credence to the statements of the victims. Bricked-up layers of walls hide some of these chambers, but diggings and investigations will be pursued. Allegations that some children were murdered were dismissed by the Home Authorities as children who ran away. But former minister Senator Stuart Syvert believes that running away to swim to France or the next island is improbable. A former volunteer at the home, Christine Bowker, claimed that the staff were ice cold, the children were frozen with fear and very visibly starved of affection.

The island's tranquility has been shattered by this revelation. Jersey is an offshore tax haven detached from the harried pace of urban life; and an investment destination for retiring couples who seek a peaceful place to spend their twilight years. To the islanders, the story and its far reaching consequences, are devastating. Yet there seems to be an omission of concern for the many children, now adults, whose lives have been devastated, perhaps beyond repair, by what mindless cruelty and immense terror lies underneath the serenity of the surface. It is inconceivable to think that such breed of human beings exist, who feel no compassion nor pity for those deprived of home and family, and whose only fault was having no means to support themselves; and yet force upon this helpless lot their carnal desires and beastly pleasures to satisfy their lust. This is the vilest act of inhumanity.

The presence of aging child abusers who may be prominent retirees are known to islanders. But the culture of cover up remains. The desire for peace and tranquility must not sacrifice the quest for truth, and the guilty ones must be exposed, shamed and punished. The only peace the guilty ones should have will be 6 feet below the ground, after their hanging.

Haaarrrrwwwk...Twooooooph...Ting!