Maggie offers safe haven to sex abuse survivors
FORMER detective Maggie Oliver, who blew the whistle on historic police failures over a major grooming scandal, is launching a new Rochdale-based haven for survivors of child abuse.
The Maggie Oliver Foundation will eventually provide education, legal advice and therapy for people affected by child abuse at a centre open to people of all ages and backgrounds, primarily focused on women.
It is set to open in February.
THE former detective who blew the whistle on historic failures within Greater Manchester Police over a major grooming scandal is seeking fundraisers and support for her new charity, designed to help survivors of child abuse.
Maggie Oliver, whose concerns about a dropped police investigation in 2004 prompted a bombshell mayoral review into onstreet grooming earlier this month, is launching a new Rochdale-based haven for victims of such crimes in February.
The Maggie Oliver Foundation will eventually provide education, legal advice and therapy for people who have been affected by child abuse at a centre that will be open to people of all ages and backgrounds, primarily focused on women.
On Sunday an event took place at the Cemetery Hotel in Rochdale, where anyone interested in being involved in supporting the charity could meet Maggie and find out more.
So far around £20,000 has already been raised, but more cash will be needed if the plan is to be realised.
Initially it will start as a pilot, with the former detective working one day a week at the centre, but over time it is intended to evolve into a fully-fledged hub.
There will be Monday meet-ups in the shape of coffee mornings, lunch groups and mum and toddler groups, while there could also be a creche.
The pilot is planned as a way to find out what support survivors of abuse would find most useful.
At a later point the centre will then look at expanding its staff and employing a permanent centre manager and a fundraiser, as well as providing educational presentations and developing a full referral programme for people who need support - to try and ensure they get help from the relevant service, such as the NHS.
Within two years, the charity may then look to expand into a second centre, looking at areas already known to have had major issues with child sexual exploitation.
The foundation is aimed not only at people who have been victims of onstreet grooming, but any kind of child sexual abuse, including FGM and forced marriage.
Sunday’s event was aimed at anyone interested in supporting the foundation through fundraising and sponsorship, as well as through volunteering or eventually working for it.