Child Abuse Debate

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Department: Home Office

Child Abuse

Barry Gardiner Excerpts
Thursday 17th July 2014

(10 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait Mrs May
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My hon. Friend has raised a very important point about how children in care have been, I think in too many cases, failed by the state over the years. This is not an area where the state can have any real confidence. We should, frankly, look back at what has happened to a number of children in care with deep concern. I will certainly take my hon. Friend’s point up with the Department for Education—and also with the Department for Communities and Local Government, because of local authorities’ responsibility.

Barry Gardiner Portrait Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab)
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The Home Secretary rightly spoke of the harrowing effect that working in this area can have on the police officers who have to do this work and see these images. Can she assure the House that the expansion of the work in this area will go hand in hand with an expansion of the care and long-term psychological support packages for those police officers?

Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait Mrs May
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Yes. This matter has already been raised. Obviously, the forces and CEOP are aware of the issue that the work can cause for the officers involved and they have programmes and operations in place to support those officers. We shall certainly ensure that those continue.