Adoption Outcry , Contact Silence

It is national adoption week in Northern Ireland, nearly 4000 children a year need to find new parents,  this nationally covered social problem is highlighted quite clearly while at the same time the same amount of children each year in Northern Ireland loss contact with their father and extended family through the family law system, that is in place.

The silent plight of children involved in contact cases needs fully addressed in Northern Ireland in the same capacity that adoption needs to be highlighted. Thousands of children are suffering the social, economic and health implication of losing their father based on the very fact that a child has no right in law to see its father.

RFFJ finds it hard to comprehend that such a public outcry is made in terms of adoption while at the same time no outcry is made for contact cases where children and fathers are placed on a judicial timetable for when they are allowed to see one another.

http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/30771

http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/news/Adoptive-parents-needed.5811337.jp

Children In N.Ireland, poverty is twice as bad a mainland UK

In a past media release RFFJ N.I commented on the state of the country in terms of raising a child, given that the UK is low ranking regarding UNICEF, RFFJ stated previously that when N.Ireland is devolved from mainland UK that N.Ireland will be bottom of the table regarding a society in which to raise a child. Once again RFFJ N.I has been proved correct in our objective measurement of society in Northern Ireland.

An area that has been highlighted as a factor is childcare; there are thousands of children in N.Ireland who through the actions of their mothers or by judicial order cannot have contact with their father or extended family. When it comes to child care then half of that child’s extended family who could share in childcare is erased from the scene

CIVITAS in 2002 already highlighted the social effects of fatherless homes as a major factor in social poverty and as of yet no action has been taken to reverse the social, economic and health effects of fatherless homes.

 civitas 2002

News report on poverty

When rape is not rape

Man raped in Belfast city centre 
 
A 21-year-old man has been raped in Belfast city centre.
The attack happened in the Library Street area some time between 0300 and 0400 GMT on Monday but details have only just been released.
A police spokesman said the victim was "extremely shocked" by the ordeal and was speaking to specially trained officers.
Detectives want to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have information about the assault.


and other grim news from the BBC...

A 16-year-old child rapist allowed to walk free by a judge, only to abuse a five-year-old boy just days later, is detained

A teenager who kidnapped and raped a five-year-old boy, eight days after avoiding custody for another rape, has been detained for at least three years.
The 16-year-old admitted offences against the second boy including rape and child abduction.
Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard the attack happened after he was given a community order for the rape of seven-year-old boy in Tameside.
The first sentence, by Judge Adrian Smith, provoked a legal challenge.
On Wednesday, the attacker, who cannot be named, was given an indeterminate sentence for protection of the public after committing a second attack.
He must serve a minimum of three years minus five days before being considered for parole.

But Judge Peter Lakin told him: "The offences you have committed are deeply disturbing and very serious.
Det Con Terry Farrell read out a statement from the victim's father
"You are a devious and manipulative young man with an unhealthy and completely unacceptable sexual interest in young boys.
"It is likely you will not be released for some very considerable period of time."
He added that it was "highly unusual" for a court to categorise a 16-year-old as a danger to the public but in this case it was merited.
"I have to say I have absolutely no hesitation whatsoever in reaching the conclusion that you are indeed a dangerous offender," the judge said.
The boy was sentenced to three years and four months, but will be eligible for parole earlier because of time spent in custody.

Judge Lakin also revoked the community rehabilitation order passed by Judge Adrian Smith and resentenced him for the earlier rape offences against the seven-year-old.
He was sentenced to three years and four months, to run concurrently, and placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
In sentencing for the first rape, Judge Smith is believed to have considered the victim's family, who forgave the youth because of their Christian beliefs.
The three-year community order led to an appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), but was overtaken when, just days after appearing in court, he was arrested for the second rape.

Rape is rape and whether you are 16 or 60, it is one of the most horrific crimes anyone can commit
Det Con Terry Farrell
On 4 July 2009, the second victim, who is now six, was playing outside near his home when he was lured away to look for a lost football but was actually taken to the teenager's house and abused.
He was found emerging from the house while his parents searched the neighbourhood for him.
The teenager later admitted child abduction, rape, committing an offence with the intention of committing a sexual offence, attempted rape and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Speaking after the hearing, Det Con Terry Farrell, who led the investigation, said it was a "harrowing and disturbing" case.
"Rape is rape and whether you are 16 or 60, it is one of the most horrific crimes anyone can commit. For this to happen to a five-year-old boy is beyond comprehension."
He then went on to read a statement on behalf of the father of the victim.
He said: "This has been a traumatic ordeal for my whole family, and particularly for my six-year-old son who has had to go through what no-one, let alone a young innocent boy, should ever have to go through.
"It has been a harrowing time but I'm glad it is finally over and we can now draw a line under everything and move on with our lives."