Former students of the Red House orphanage and school have been speaking out courageously. They are telling their stories about the abuse that they suffered while under the care of the facility, which remained open from 1992 until its shutdown in 1998. The home, built in the 1970s in a Brutalist architectural style, was registered as a children’s home in August 1992 and was licensed by Norfolk County Council. It took children who had been placed there by local authorities from the length and breadth of England. Today, more than 40 of those survivors are moving forward, suing for damages related to these allegations.
The ongoing investigations into the abuse they allegedly experienced at Red House have uncovered a history of shocking abuse. 16 incidents of suspected abuse reported from June 1992 to April 1994. These events included 20 different children. Many of these incidents were serious enough to involve law enforcement, including seven cases of suspected sexual abuse and nine cases of suspected physical abuse or inappropriate restraint. These allegations, if true, have raised legitimate concerns. Millions of Americans have voiced their concern for the safety and well-being of vulnerable children held at that facility.
Norfolk County Council is committed to working with the police and all ongoing investigations. Instead, they are on the frontlines, demanding justice for what happened at Red House. The council emphasized that it is imperative that they address such grave accusations. These allegations pertain to children that local authorities sent to the home more than 30 years ago.
“The allegations made by former pupils of the independent Small School at Red House are deeply concerning and we have co-operated fully with investigations, which relate to children that were placed there by other local authorities more than 30 years ago.” – Norfolk County Council
In response to NRPC’s Writ, Norfolk County Council is now fighting a series of other legal actions. At the same time, other councils are still being sued for their actions as licensing or placing authorities for Red House. Survivors like Heather are suing for this systemic failure that put them at risk over their formative years.
Leon, who was previously student at Red House, opened up about the emotional toll of his time there. He shared how those experiences have truly traumatized him. He said he wanted to see justice served and accountability. He does not wish to be chained to his cursed former self.
“My past has come back to bite me on the backside too many times and I don’t want to live that life any more. I want to be a normal bloke where people like me and [do] not associate me with being the bad person that I was.” – Leon
The closing of Red House in 1998 meant yet another loss of home and community for many former residents. For everyone lucky enough to spend time there, the memories of their experiences last a lifetime. Those memories are still influencing their lives as adults. These survivors have filed lawsuits. This very brave step forward is a vital piece of their ongoing pursuit of justice and acknowledgement of the harm they’ve experienced.
The 14 “letters before action” sent by former pupils detail their experiences and outline their claims against local authorities, further highlighting the need for accountability. As these legal battles continue, the importance of providing justice for the lingering historical cases of abuse cannot be understated. They provide survivors an important space to demand accountability for their suffering.
As investigations continue into the incidents of abuse at Red House, the stories of these survivors are beginning to gain traction within public discourse. They’re committed to ensuring that justice comes, and that they’re compensated for their pain and suffering. Moreover, they work to avoid repeating past institutional breakdowns.
