I will never give up

When I was 14 years old and very vulnerable, I was living in a children’s home run by Cumbria County Council. The children’s home was at 30 Overend Road, Whitehaven, Cumbria. This was in 1976. There was a 23 year old house mother who initiated a sexual affair with me. This affair lasted for about 2 months. The officer in charge of the home and the assistant director of social services were fully aware of this and did not report it to the police. This affair went on to have a profound effect on my mental health.

Over the past three years there have been approaches by my solicitors and the police to the council asking for the house mother’s name, but the council have refused to give it, how can they be allowed not to give it? The council, even though I have got documented proof of the sexual abuse, are denying my case because I do not have her name.

I write this blog in the hope that someone out there might read this and know who she is, my email: mtkirkbride03@gmail.com. I will never give up until I prove my case.

Michael Kirkbride, Survivor