Support group plans island branch

More than 100 people have claimed they were abused

Victims of alleged abuse in Jersey are to be offered support by a national organisation.

The Care Leavers' Association helps former care home residents adjust to life outside institutions and offer support to those who have been abused.

Spokesman Jim Goddard said the association was in a unique position as all its staff had first-hand experience of life in care.

The association hopes to visit the island within the next few weeks.

The charity, which has more than 3,000 people registered on its careleavers reunited website in the UK, offers help to people of all ages.

We need to do something - we have a duty Jim Goddard, Care Leavers' Association

Mr Goddard told BBC News that media coverage over the historic abuse investigation at Haute de la Garenne had highlighted the need for support in the island.

More than 100 people have come forward claiming they were abused at the home.

"People will need support and we want to try to do something to help," he said.

"We can't offer trained counselling, but what we do is allow people to come together - a little bit like a survivors group and we can point them in the right direction."

UK 'spotlight'

He said once the new branch was up and running, he wanted people in the island to take the lead.

The association is also planning to set up a branch in the UK for Jersey survivors in order to "keep an outside spotlight on the island".

Mr Goddard said Jersey presented a challenge both financially and logistically, but the association would overcome both.

"We need to do something - we have a duty."