MEDOMSLEY DETENTION CENTRE UPDATE: 650 + Victims Contact Durham's OPERATION SEABROOK

Slowly but surely the numbers have risen to 650 plus, I believe more are still coming forward at around half a dozen a week.

Officer specially trained in areas of abuse are receiving statements from victims who for many years have tried in vain to forget.

Horrendous accounts that have taken it's toll on officer, victims and all those who are supporting the men involved.

It is indeed a credit to the modern approach to victims of historic abuse displayed by the care structures and support offered by the Seabrook investigation team of Durham Constabulary that so many have been able to unburden themselves to some degree after so many years of fearing they would not be believed.

The "system" back then was very different to what it is today and by that token the police are also very different to what they were 40 year's ago, as is the prison service.

The Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) is Det Supt Paul Goundry, with Det Chief Insp Brad Howe as the deputy SIO. Marian Garland, a former detective has been appointed victim co-ordinator and can be contacted directly via marian.garland@durham.pnn.police.uk

The following organisations can be contacted independently of the police for support .

NSPCC FREEPHONE HELPLINE (24 hrs):
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children                                                                                    0808 800 5000
The helpline is available for anyone who has concerns about a child or anyone including adults who wish to discuss their own experience of abuse as a child or young person.
Contact can also be made via e mail : help@nspcc.org.uk  or by text 88858
Contact can be made anonymously if the caller so wishes.

NAPAC
National Association for People Abused in ChildhoodFreephone (from landline or a Virgin, Orange or 3 mobile) 0800 085 3330.
If you are calling from a mobile provided by O2, Vodafone or T-Mobile an alternative freephone number is 0808 801 0331. This is not a 24 hr service 

The Meadows:
The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Darlington and Co Durham) 0191 301 8554
The Meadows will accept calls between the hours of 9am-3.30 pm Monday to Friday and can arrange one-to-one counselling sessions and can make referrals to similar centres throughout the UK.
Counselling does not involve discussing what has happened in relation to the assault, it aims to help you work through your feelings to aid the healing process.
Staff at the Meadows will not contact the police without your consent unless there are current concerns in respect of a child or vulnerable adult.