13/03/2014 BBC Channel Islands News

Good evening. Abuse in Jersey's care That's all from us. Now it's

Good evening. Abuse in Jersey's care system is to be investigated again

and the panel looking into those historic allegations are appealing

for more witnesses to come forward. Police began investigating claims of

abuse at the former children's home at Haut De La Garenne in 2006, but

it was the launch of a murder investigation at the site in 2008

that thrust Jersey's care system into the international Spotlight.

Detectives later said there was no evidence that any children had been

murdered. But seven people were successfully prosecuted in relation

to abuse. A compensation scheme for victims was launched in 2012. This

latest inquiry was approved by the States last year and will officially

launch at the start of April. Louise Walter has the details.

The murder investigation launched here might not, in the end, have

found evidence of that particular crime, but it did put Jersey's care

system squarely in the public eye. People came forward with their

stories of their time in care. Some shared their experiences with the

BBC's Inside Out programme. He has come back from work, picked up a

badminton racket and broke it on my brother 's legs. We would be

punished if we spoke out of turn. The Independent Jersey Care Inquiry

is not the first to investigate historic cases of abuse. Indeed, as

well as the original three`year police investigation, there have

been eight independent reports since 2008. But throughout it all, there's

been claims and counter claims of a cover`up culture in the island.

Today the woman in charge said she could reassure people of the

inquiry's impartiality. We're independent and transparent. We are

listening for them to tell their story, we want to give them a voice

and we can look rigorously, robust lake at the care system over these

years. At the hope that the island can move forward. Today's call for

witnesses is welcomed by Jersey Care Leavers Association and they hope it

could lead to future prosecutions. In a lot of people have bottled up

their experiences. They were told they were liars. This is the time

that they are going to be listened to and they can tell their story and

they will be heard with compassion and understanding, instead of

criticism. The inquiry will launch officially at the start of April.

And there's more information about how to get in touch with the inquiry

on the BBC Jersey website. A man from Jersey is campaigning for

a better mental health service because he thinks the current system

is failing people in need. Mark Leonard has struggled with severe

depression, and tried to take his own life several times last year. He

spoke to our reporter Jen Smith. Mark Leonard is feeling positive at

the moment. But that's not always the case. Last year he hit the

lowest point of his life. I'm furniture that act unfortunately

from August it escalated. It led to three suicide attempts in eight

days. Mark sought help from a psychologist but was told the wait

to see one could be up to nine months. He doesn't think that's good

enough, and is campaigning for a better service. I know they are a

busy department but when you are suffering as low as I was, you won't

help immediately. I know that sounds selfish but it is not. And today the

issue of waiting times for mental health patients was raised before a

government scrutiny panel and it seems political pressure for better

care is mounting. Jersey's Health and Social Services department

declined an interview on camera but did send us a statement. In it it

says it can't discuss individual cases for reasons of confidentiality

and it wouldn't be in Mark's best interests. But it did say it's

experienced "a significant increase in referrals ` on average 45 a

week." There's to be "substantial investment in services over the next

two years leading to the appointment of 13 staff." Mark's worried the

current long wait could end in tragedy. He hopes he's listened to

before then. A man had to be cut out of a car

after it overturned in St Helier this morning. It happened outside

the Royal Hotel. Roads were closed and buses were diverted for several

hours. The man rescued was taken to hospital, his injuries aren't

thought to be serious. The children's playground at

Guernsey's Saumarez Park will close on Monday to allow work to start on

its redevelopment. The new park will include a new 29`metre long pirate

ship, which will take six weeks to install. Eventually developers are

hoping to build a boating lake, a skateboard area and install adult

gym equipment ` if they get the money. If community support so we

haven't had the benefit of large trust. We are at phase one, there

are two more easy is to go. We still need the funding for those other two

phases. Weather`wise, fog has been the big

story today. This was Guernsey Airport this morning. Flights in and

out of all Channel Islands airports suffered severe disruption with just

a few getting in and out. Conditions are expected to improve by

mid`morning tomorrow. And BBC Radio Guernsey and BBC Radio Jersey will

be on air from 6am with the latest forecast and travel updates. But

from me it's goodnight. I'll leave you with the weather with David

Braine. Mist and fog again tonight. We do

have a problem bursting tomorrow morning. There is the possibility of

travel disruption. Night`time temperature is getting down to is

about six Celsius. A dull start to the day tomorrow. A fair amount of

low cloud and temperatures of ten or 11 Celsius. When the Sun comes out

the temperatures will rise. A reasonable day on Sunday but

temperatures are held down because of the wind. Top figure of around 12

Celsius. From us it is good night. than it did today across parts of

the Thames estuary, temperatures could be 17 or 18 degrees. Now we

will get the National forecast. It has been a funny day. Warm and

sunny for some, cool and mystique for others, cloudy and damp for a

few. Wet weather getting into northern Scotland tonight. Fog is

the issue. It already is across the heart of England with thick patches.

It could become widespread through the rest of the night. Touches of

frost where the skies remain clear for any length of time. Tomorrow

morning, difficult conditions across more central and southern parts of

England. Dense patches. If you are planning a journey early, allow

extra time because you could run into trouble.