Twenty-eight years ago, in June 1995, Declan Curran took his own life. He was 13.
It happened the day after he had seen his abuser, then on bail for multiple charges of child sexual assault and attempted buggery.
His older brother Kev was only 15 at the time and will never forget that horrific day. And for years he has been campaigning to end the suffering of child abuse victims like Declan.
Declan and his family had to wait a year for the case of his abuser to come to trial. In that time he was prevented from speaking to counsellors about his ordeal, in case it interfered with the court case.
In the end, Declan couldn’t take it any more.
Kev has campaigned tirelessly for the creation of Declan’s Law. This would make it mandatory for the police and crown prosecution service (CPS) to provide counselling to all victims of child sexual abuse – without it prejudicing justice.
Now York Central MP Rachael Maskell and Kev have met with Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to discuss the case and how to prevent it happening again.
When the Victims and Prisoners Bill was introduced to the House of Commons, Ms Maskell raised Declan’s case with Mr Chalk, and he agreed to a meeting.
When they met, Kev began by showing the Justice Secretary a picture of his brother, Declan, and talked of the way that the justice system failed him and his family.
Kev now wants to change the system so that no child is isolated following abuse – something that still happens, although less often, today.
Mr Chalk told him he was strengthening the Victim’s Charter and ensuring that the police and Crown Prosecution Service know their responsibilities to the survivor of abuse.
After the meeting, Kev said: “I felt proud to speak for thousands of child victims at such a high level of government. The minister spoke with integrity that no child should be denied support – I just want assurances written into the Bill.
“Children must never be denied professional support at the time they need it. It’s a horrific crime to live through, effecting you mentally and emotionally. I still carry those scars but want to use them to bring about change.
“For years I felt like I was a lone voice shouting into a void, feeling unheard, discarded and heartbroken. A feeling shared by countless survivors who have reached out to me through my campaign for Declan’s Law.
“The system let us down and didn’t offer necessary counselling. This still happens, almost three decades later. This is why I have sought justice and rights for children who experience trauma.
“All I’ve ever wanted to do is turn the tragedy of Declan’s suicide into real change that can protect future child victims. The law and its processes need to understand traumatised children, putting their wellbeing at the heart of the process.”
Rachael Maskell said: “After such tragedy, I am in awe of Kev and his family for their tenacity in campaigning for justice. Kev, in being able to tell Declan’s story to the Justice Secretary has been able to give hope to many victims of child sexual abuse so that they get the help they need.
“As a result of raising this matter, we will see progress in the law, however I will follow this Bill closely as it works its way through Parliament, now in committee for line by line scrutiny.
“It is not just the law which has to change, the Crown Prosecution Service needs to ensure that the interests of victims of abuse are always at the centre of its decisions and the police need to be sensitive to children’s experiences.
“Much has changed since Declan lost his life, but improvements are still necessary. I am grateful that, in meeting with the Justice Secretary, we were able to further the case for ‘Declan’s Law’.”
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