Response of Government and Local Authorities
Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister at the time, responded to the concerns of MPs from Sheffield, including Nick Clegg the leader of the Liberal Democrats, and David Blunkett by saying he was "outraged at the unspeakable abuse", and any changes to the system that were needed would be made.
The case had gone undetected by social services agencies and schools or hospitals, despite the numerous pregnancies, and despite the girls at times having unexplained injuries. Schools put facial injuries of the girls down to bullying. The victims had hidden from hospitals that the children were fathered by their own father. The man had previously been faced with reports of the incestuous rape of his daughters in a police complaint filed by their brother, but no action was taken by the police, as they considered the brother's word to be hearsay evidence that would not hold up in court, and because the girls would not say anything, due to intimidation.
Family members reported their concerns to the authorities over two decades but nothing was done. Social workers say that because the father moved the family so often, what rare chance there was of someone disclosing incest was lessened by the girls not forming a close relationship with a teacher, other professional, or anyone else. They were known to social services in both Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire, but the abuse was not recognized. In 2008, the family doctor who failed to recognize or report the abuse was suspended by the General Medical Council.
The county council and police are to be investigated. The judge said although the phrase was overused, it is difficult to imagine a worse case; he had not seen a similar case in forty years of criminal law practice. No action had been taken, although there were obvious signs and agencies were suspicious, and that was why it was going to independent Serious Case Review. The review is to be conducted by professor Pat Cantrill.
Read more about this topic: Sheffield Incest Case
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