Child abuse: there is a real problem in Guernsey

GUERNSEY does have a problem with child abuse, a charity worker who specialises in helping victims has said.

Dr Margaret Ogier, who has a PhD in psychology, said paedophiles also destroyed the lives of their own families, who found it incredibly hard to move on from the crimes of their loved one.

The common observation that child abuse occurred regularly in the island was accurate.

‘I think that is probably a correct perception [that Guernsey has a problem with child abuse]. We are extremely busy,’ Dr Ogier said. ‘We have about 120 new clients each year – they are not all abuse cases, as we deal with people who are depressed, stressed at work, or being bullied etc.

‘But at the moment we have a two-month waiting list, which is terrible for the people needing our help, but there is nothing we can do about it.’ (from GEP)