The Diocese of Carlisle has issued an official statement after a report was handed to Cumbria Police, alleging that babies were left to die under the care of St. Monica’s maternity home.
What was St. Monica’s?
St. Monica’s was a maternity home in Kendal, which opened in 1918 and continued operating until 1970. The home was operated by the Diocese of Carlisle, through funding from local authority grants who sent women there from the northwest of England.
What allegedly happened at St. Monica’s maternity home?
Throughout the years, annual reports showed that at least 400 babies were adopted from there between 1933 and 1967. Alongside this, the BBC documents the death certificates of over 50 babies who died at the home within the same timespan.
Current status
A report has been compiled by Dr. Michael Lambert with the cooperation of the Dioscese of Carlisle, which details the birth, life, and death of baby Stephen Holt – one of the babies born there – plus information about other infants residing at the home and how they died. This extensive research has now been passed onto Cumbria Police.
What should I do if I experienced abuse at St. Monica’s maternity home or elsewhere?
As long as you feel ready and able, the best thing to do first is report it to the police if you have not already done so. Maybe speak to your GP or a therapist beforehand if you have any concerns about doing so, as you will have to revisit painful memories by doing so. It doesn’t matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
If you have done this and are looking into taking further action and feel comfortable in doing so, get in touch with our team in complete confidence.
If you are in a position where your memories are causing you further trauma, and you feel like you may be a danger to yourself or others – call the emergency services on 999.
Useful resources
Further reading
Historic Abuse Claims – abuseclaims.co.uk
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you would like more information about historical abuse claims, get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods at the top of this page, or call us on 0113 306 9001.
