The man was one of six young boys abused by teacher Christopher Bacon – a prolific paedophile who was jailed last year for preying on pupils at d’Hautrée School during the 1970s and 80s.
This week, as the States were due to debate law changes which would ban defendants cross-examining their alleged victims or vulnerable witnesses in certain cases, the Islander described his court ordeal as one of the worst experiences of his life, and added: ‘It was like being abused all over again, only with a room full of people watching.’
Under the proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure (Jersey) Law, defendants charged with offences including sex crimes, murder and manslaughter would be banned from cross-examining alleged victims or vulnerable witnesses, such as those with mental health issues.
In such cases, if a defendant wants to pursue cross-examination, a lawyer would have to be appointed. A similar system is already in place in the UK.
Describing being cross-examined by Bacon (75) during the Royal Court trial last March, the man said: ‘It was quite simply horrendous.
‘Having the very man who abused me ask me very intimate questions and accusing me of being a liar was, apart from the abuse itself, the worst thing that has ever happened to me.
‘I don’t think that barbaric is too strong a word for a system that allows this sort of thing to happen.
‘Nobody should ever have to endure what I and countless other victims have over the years.’
And in a direct message to States Members, he said: ‘Imagine if it was your sister, brother or mother who had been attacked. How would you feel if you knew that they could be cross-examined by their attacker and you could have stopped it by simply voting in favour of this law.’
In Bacon’s sentencing hearing, during which the former music teacher was jailed for five and a half years after being found guilty of eight sex offences, both Commissioner Sir Michael Birt and the Crown said that the cross-examination had been ‘harrowing’ and ‘stressful’ for the victims.
The man, who cannot be named, said: ‘Obviously I can’t speak for other victims but for me it will mean knowledge that the States are putting victims first and protecting them from this secondary abuse.
‘I want to turn my awful experience into something positive, something good, and I hope by sharing this that no-one ever has to undergo this again.’
The man spoke out after contacting Home Affairs Minister Kristina Moore, who has brought the proposed law changes to the States.
In a statement, she said: ‘I wish to express my sincere appreciation to this man for courageously coming forward to share his distressing experience with me.
‘The significance of an abuse survivor willing to help and offer support to the States of Jersey after years of allegations of cover-ups in the past is a significant step and should not be underestimated. It shows that the tide is turning.
‘I hope that Members will listen to these heartfelt words.’
If approved, the Deputy’s proposition would make numerous other changes to Jersey’s legal system, including giving prosecutors the ability to bring a retrial in the event of a hung jury.
