Baby P online fight attracts 900,000
There was a time when young people would hit the streets with placards whenever they felt aggrieved about the state of the world around them. These days protests are considerably quieter, with online lobby groups taking the place of direct action.
It was the dreadful story of Peter Connelly – or Baby P as he was identified in court at the time – that caused Teresa Robinson to take to the internet and demand justice in that most 21st Century of ways – by forming a Facebook group.
Together with friends from across the country on the social networking website, the 31-year-old from Hotwells became a founding member of the group, which now, just one year on, has a staggering 900,000 members.
Suddenly Teresa, an Open University literature student, found herself at the forefront of a powerful lobby organisation.
"When we realised just how much response there was to the issue, we decided to develop the Facebook group into a full charity, in order to campaign for change to try to prevent a similar case ever happening again.
"So Action Against Abuse was born," Teresa explains, as she sits down in her Hotwells living room, beside friend and fellow campaigner Kelly Owen, who has also been swept along by the impetus of the group.
"None of us has any experience in running a campaigning charity," Teresa admits. "But we're putting a lot of work into making sure it works, because we really do care passionately about getting something done to improve the lives of children in this country.
"I remember the day last year when I started reading a newspaper article about Baby P and the way he was tortured and neglected before his death."
The 17-month-old baby died in London after suffering more than 50 injuries over an eight-month period at the hand of his mother's boyfriend and his brother. During his short life, Peter was repeatedly seen by social services.
"I've read harrowing pieces in newspapers in the past, but somehow I engaged with this case," Teresa says. "It was more emotive, firstly because he was being called Baby P rather than Child A or Child B, which is what usually happens in such cases.
"Then when I actually started reading the detail that was coming out in court of the sort of abuse he suffered, I was horrified. I decided that I should try to do something to campaign for improvements in the system, to try to stop this ever happening, and Facebook was the only way we could think of getting together a lot of people behind an issue."
Ever since, Teresa and Kelly have been reading up on the intricacies of an entire social services network that they previously knew very little about.
"We're trying to understand ways in which the system can be improved. You actually don't have to be an expert to see some obvious ways," Kelly says. "For example, social workers spend 80 per cent of their time with their heads buried in paper work. If they employed administrators to take some of that simple typing-up off their hands, surely they could spend more time with 'at risk' children?
"One to four children die every 10 days in this country as a result of neglect or maltreatment, according to NSPCC figures, and that shouldn't be allowed in this day and age. If it takes more social workers to bring that number down, then we should be paying for more social workers."
The girls plan to mobilise their hundreds of thousands of Facebook comrades by encouraging them to all send letters to their local MPs.
"We're getting together a standard letter that group members can simply copy and paste into an email to send to their representative in Parliament," Teresa says. "If we manage to inundate all our MPs at the same time, surely they have to take our appeal for change seriously.
"We also have a 2,000 signature petition to try to increase the maximum sentence for causing death to a child through neglect or cruelty from the current 14 years to life imprisonment – and we think that when it comes to causing or allowing the death of a child, life should mean life."
● To join the Facebook campaign, click here.
● For advice on actual child abuse, call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.
16 Comments
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by Kelvin Wharton, Carlisle, GB
Monday, August 31 2009, 6:25AM
“I agree with a previous poster that the NSPCC should be supported but i actually think that ALL positive action whether it be by big organisations or Jo Bloggs on a street corner should be welcome and supported in whatever manner you can muster/. You will always have your 'whats the point' people but they must ask themselves 'whats the point in just sitting on your ass, hoping someone else will do something!!!'
These ladies should be proud and commended on what they are trying to achieve.”
by Sally, Bristol
Saturday, August 29 2009, 10:51AM
“yes Emily, you are missing something . If you read their group you will find that 'Justice for baby P' is just one of many groups which form 'Action Against Abuse' (AAA), and their members amount to more than 900, 000. If you read the discussion board you will find that they already do support the NSPCC. You will also find that the 19 admins on AAA have experience in all kinds of different areas. The admins who run the ABC Foundation (Abused babies and children foundation) have raised a lot of money to send Peter's siblings on a much deserved holiday, and they will continue to do this for other children who have suffered the effects of abuse. This is something the NSPCC do not do. AAA's website is currently being built so it is not just a facebook group'. By reading the group you will find that they have the support of MP's who attended their marches to give speeches, and MP John Hemming who has requested a meeting with them to discuss their suggestions for improvements to child protection. You will also find that the projects they plan are not covered by the NSPCC, so they couldn't possibly have a greater impact if they 'just' support the NSPCC. Never underestimate the power of the public - we are, after all, approaching an election. I take my hat off too all of these remarkable men and women who form 'Action Against Abuse' and thank god there are people like that them who are willing to do their very best to protect children. Well done to all of you, I am proud to be a member of your group.”
by Emily, Essex
Saturday, August 29 2009, 7:32AM
“I just clicked on the link and they seem to have 143,000 members, not 900,000, or am I missing something?
Wouldn't they have more impact by supporting a major charity like the NSPCC than trying this with just a facebook group and no experience? Good intentions are all well and good but this will go nowhere if even the big organsations are struggling with making change.”
by Louise Ashby, Derby
Friday, August 28 2009, 10:06PM
“You will always get one negative person, someone who has that much of a chip on their shoulder that they can't see the genuine good in people. You girls have never given up on this, you are inspirational.It is people like you, who truly care about stopping the abuse of children rather than meeting deadlines and filling in endless forms, that could actually make a difference.”
by mandy francis, cheshunt herts
Friday, August 28 2009, 5:22PM
“samantha
i too am part of this facebook group. can i assure you its not a case of sitting on our backsides on a pc at all. we have organized 2marches 3 protests with at least 3 more to come, attended meetings at the house of commons,done petitions and handed them in at downing street,fundraised to help abused children, sent baby ps siblings for a much needed holiday raised awareness on child abuse and we will get the law and the system changed to protect the children. all this takes many many hours of hard work and yes some of that is on a pc as is most other things today. maybe we wont get anywhere but at least we can say we gave it our all and tried our very best to make a change, can you say that?”
by sadie, Bristol
Friday, August 28 2009, 2:54PM
“I support these remarkable ladies and their campaign 110%. Keep up the good work, don't let negative people bring you down! :D”
by Sharon nuro, London
Friday, August 28 2009, 2:30PM
“Samantha
you seem to think by knowing about the issues of child abuse and doing nothing is ok
Well its not
I am part of this face book team and the girls are working hard to get a change
what have you done to help these children?
have you attended any of the marches i have helped organised
have you attended the protest about the evil three appeals.
have you attended any fun day
functions to raise awareness
have you signed petitions
have you spent hour after hour researching child abuse cases and the pathetic laws and sentences
these abusers get NO YOU HAVNT
So PLEASE DO NOT ATTACK MY FELLOW SUPPORTERS WHO ARE AND WILL MAKE A CHANGE
its people like you who sit back and moan but wont do anything to make a change that allows our pathetic system to continue
shame on you
there is no excuse for child abuse
the system must change
well done girls from all protesters and campaigners
at least you are doing something unlike the Samantha's of this world”
by nina cripps, derby
Friday, August 28 2009, 1:54PM
“These ladies work so hard to create awareness and the group is one which I am proud to be part of. Yes, there is lots going on, protests, fund raising, letters to mp's, petitions etc, etc. Being online is the way forward and easier to reach all over the UK, so whats the problem? we are being active and trying to bring around change for these children. Can I ask Samantha what have you done to help?”
by kathleen, East Sussex
Friday, August 28 2009, 1:43PM
“Well said Sue..
Samantha may I ask you what you mean by your comment? These ladies ARE NOT JUST 'Sitting at a computer on yer backside isn't helping' They work tirelessly lobbying MP's and raising funds to help Abused Children, I consider it a priveledge to know them all.
Instead of critisising why not join them and help protect the children of today, who are infact the Adults who will be running this country of ours in the future!! There are many ways in which you can help, join the NSPCC, attend Marches and Rally's against abuse.
There is one this September in London.. Saturday 26th September 2009
Meet up at Temple Place, Westminster in London from midday. The march will walk to Whitehall Place (opposite Downing Street), London where the attendees of the march will meet for the "open forum".
Why join join us and be part of the solution??”
by sue, weston-super-mare
Friday, August 28 2009, 1:28PM
“I support teresa &Kathy 100%,they are doing a wonderful job.uor children have no voice, no vote, they need every decent adult to be their voice, abuse is endemic in this country a national disgrace. the whole system, both social services & family courts need a complete review of their practices, they are not working. As for Samanthas comment these ladies just sit behind computers, you are wrong, they work tiredlessly, lobbying mps, fund raising, protest marches, correspondence etc, may i ask what you yourself are doing towards aleviating child abuse? I am proud & privileged to know these two ladies, & back them in their fight. Please dont criticise, join us & help protect our children.”