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From The Socialist newspaper, 28 August 2019
Notts child abuse scandal: Socialist Party demands action programme to prevent future cases
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Mansfield Socialist Party
The decades-long Nottinghamshire child abuse scandal and cover-up shows the need to fight public service cuts and for a society that values people, not private profit.
Many vulnerable children had appalling experiences while looked after by Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council over many years.
Why did this happen and how can any future repeat be stopped? Mansfield Socialist Party discussed these vital issues on the night of the report's recent publication.
For the past ten years all public services have been cut. Fewer staff with increasing workloads, reduced supervision and less training gave abusers less chance of being exposed. Also, management, under instruction from elected councillors to cut budgets, allowed abusers more scope to go undetected. Privatisation of public services has also reduced public accountability.
Mansfield Socialist Party calls for the reversal of all cuts. Councillors should set budgets to meet the needs of local people and demand the money from government - or make way for councillors prepared to fight for local services.
Capitalist society, where the rich and powerful dominate and exploit the rest of us, distorts human relationships. Abusive behaviour is rooted in this and targets the weak and vulnerable - children and disabled adults in residential care. Abuse also occurs within the home by family members.
Democratic accountability
Abused children were not listened to by those in authority, including the police. Mansfield Socialist Party calls for democratic, working-class control of workplaces including residential care homes, council services and the police.
Strong trade unions are needed to give whistleblowers confidence to speak out. The local community must have representatives to assure children and staff the right to have their voices heard.
Cuts in Sure Start, social services, mental health services, drug and alcohol services and council housing, all increase the likelihood of family crises. Young adults leaving care when 18 years old need continuing support with education, training and decently paid jobs. A socialist society would prioritise all these to help prevent children needing residential care.
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In The Socialist 28 August 2019:
What we think
Workers' movement must launch a campaign for a general election
News
Amazon fires: Big business is destroying the environment
Stop the latest Tory attack on our pensions
Notts child abuse scandal: Socialist Party demands action programme to prevent future cases
Knife and gun crime a product of poverty and austerity
International socialist news and analysis
Imperialist tensions escalate as world economy teeters
Italy: Governing coalition fractures as Salvini looks to capitalise on crisis
Workplace news
Interview with Sean Hoyle - left candidate in RMT general secretary election
Postal union ballots 100,000 workers for strike action
Strike action wins privatisation reprieve at Bradford hospitals
Barry Hospital workers fight to save ward from closure
Retail workers fight back against Scrooge bosses
DVSA workers strike for four weeks over conditions and workload
Merseyside Matalan workers walk out over pay deal
Liverpool RMT seafarers protest against super-exploitation
Probation hostel rest room win
Northern Ireland
Brexit and the border in Northern Ireland- will there be a return to the 'Troubles'?
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Lincolnshire health visitors' solidarity rally
Worcestershire: Stop the fire cuts!
Bangladeshi campaigners fight mining giant for justice
Opinion
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2018