
Secrets and Silence
Uncovering the Legacy of the Cleveland Child Sexual Abuse Case
Beatrix Campbell(Author)
Policy Press
1st Edition
Published on 10. October 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
306 pages
978-1-4473-4114-7 (ISBN)
Description
The child sexual abuse scandal in the English county of Cleveland in the 1980s was a defining moment but not the scandal we were led to believe it was.
Acclaimed journalist Beatrix Campbell has uncovered government documents that show how medical evidence of childhood rape identified by pioneering paediatricians was deemed credible but 'dangerous' - it was more important to save money than save children.
This book reveals how this secret has framed policy making and public opinion and the consequences it has had for children, professionals, justice and the state.
The deaths of 'national treasures' Sir Jimmy Savile and Sir Cyril Smith led to a torrent of evidence of childhood suffering, the discovery of widespread sexual exploitation and institutional abuse across the world - all in plain sight.
The Cleveland children have remained in the shadows. Now, for the first time, a Cleveland child delves into her records and shares her story.
Acclaimed journalist Beatrix Campbell has uncovered government documents that show how medical evidence of childhood rape identified by pioneering paediatricians was deemed credible but 'dangerous' - it was more important to save money than save children.
This book reveals how this secret has framed policy making and public opinion and the consequences it has had for children, professionals, justice and the state.
The deaths of 'national treasures' Sir Jimmy Savile and Sir Cyril Smith led to a torrent of evidence of childhood suffering, the discovery of widespread sexual exploitation and institutional abuse across the world - all in plain sight.
The Cleveland children have remained in the shadows. Now, for the first time, a Cleveland child delves into her records and shares her story.
Reviews / Votes
""Expose(s) the devastating reality of what happened as a result of the Cleveland Inquiry and the events that surrounded it." The ObserverMore details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bristol University Press
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
400 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4473-4114-7 (9781447341147)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
10/2023
1st Edition
Policy Press
€30.99
Available for download

E-Book
10/2023
1st Edition
Policy Press
€21.49
Available for download
Person
Beatrix Campbell is an award-winning writer, broadcaster and political activist. Her book Wigan Pier Revisited - one of Virago's bestsellers - won the Cheltenham Literature Festival Prize.
She has written about politics, crime, community, gender, child abuse and sexual politics for a range of publications from The Guardian, The Independent, the New Statesman, Marxism Today to OpenDemocracy and Byline Times. She has participated in many TV and radio programmes, including Any Questions and Question Time. She has also written acclaimed plays with co-author Judith Jones.
Described as a charismatic speaker and campaigner, she has received many awards, including the Nancy Astor Media Awards Campaigning Journalist of the Year, six honorary doctorates and an OBE for services to equality.
She has written about politics, crime, community, gender, child abuse and sexual politics for a range of publications from The Guardian, The Independent, the New Statesman, Marxism Today to OpenDemocracy and Byline Times. She has participated in many TV and radio programmes, including Any Questions and Question Time. She has also written acclaimed plays with co-author Judith Jones.
Described as a charismatic speaker and campaigner, she has received many awards, including the Nancy Astor Media Awards Campaigning Journalist of the Year, six honorary doctorates and an OBE for services to equality.
Content
Prologue
Introduction
1. A journey through the archives
2. The inquiry
3. Two reports
4. Whatever happened to ...?
5. A new enlightenment
6. Parallel lives
7. Backlash
8. Damned and vindicated
9. Tremendous conservatism
10. Off the hook
11. A new sexual abuse crisis
12. National inquiries, national identities
13. What is to be done?
Epilogue
Timeline
Introduction
1. A journey through the archives
2. The inquiry
3. Two reports
4. Whatever happened to ...?
5. A new enlightenment
6. Parallel lives
7. Backlash
8. Damned and vindicated
9. Tremendous conservatism
10. Off the hook
11. A new sexual abuse crisis
12. National inquiries, national identities
13. What is to be done?
Epilogue
Timeline