New bench unveiled by Local MP

Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, officially unveiled a new memorial bench at the Milne and Shepard memorial on the Ashdown Forest, dedicated to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

The bench is sponsored by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and is one of 200 memorial benches and plaques being placed across England and Wales. Each is inscribed with uplifting messages gathered directly from victims and survivors who have taken part in the Inquiry's Truth Project. This legacy project pays tribute to all victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and reminds people of the importance of protecting children.
 
The A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard memorial, the creators of Winnie-the-Pooh, at Ashdown Forest in East Sussex was chosen as one of the locations and Nusrat joined Alison Jeffery, Director of Children's Services at East Sussex County Council and Ashdown Forest CEO James Adler in attending the unveiling.
 
Nusrat Ghani said: “Nothing is more wicked than hurting a child, and there is no excuse for those who perpetrate this abhorrent crime. I pay tribute to the victims and survivors who have shared their testimonies and experiences. It is not easy coming forward to seek help and it takes a lion heart to take on the perpetrator. For a number of years, I have been working with the children’s charity Barnardo’s and I chaired a cross-party inquiry into tackling child sexual abuse and preventing children from sexually abusing other children. I will continue campaigning on behalf of victims in Wealden and nationwide, and I am pleased that this new bench on our beautiful Ashdown Forest will contribute to ensuring that their voices continue to be heard, so that children can be better protected in the future.”
 
Anyone who is concerned about a child in East Sussex for any reason can make a referral through our Single Point of Advice on 01323 464222 or via www.eastsussex.gov.uk/children-families/professional-resources/spoa.