Suffolk: His Victims Have a Life Sentence – Survivors in Transition Charity Question Priest’s Jail Term

By Lizzie Parry
EADT 24
December 18, 2012

http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/suffolk_his_victims_have_a_life_sentence_survivors_in_transition_charity_question_priest_s_jail_term_1_1745181

Fiona Ellis and Clare Wilson who founded Survivors in Transition

The 71-year-old was yesterday sent to prison for 22 months after pleading guilty to six counts of indecent assault relating to two boys as young as 13.

One of the survivors of Dossor’s abuse, who today told story to The Star, said the sentence had not yet sunk in.

“In cases like this what the law defines as justice does not really help survivors of the crimes,” he said.

“But I am pleased he has a custodial sentence and has been forced to sign the sex offenders’ register.”

Fiona Ellis, co-founder of Survivors in Transition (SiT) who has been helping one of the survivors of Dossor’s abuse, said she had “reservations” over the message the sentence sends.

“It’s 22 months versus a lifetime his victims have had to struggle with,” she said.

“Life will never be the same for his victims, they are all left with a life sentence. We welcome that there is jail time – it does of course, act as a deterrent.

“The church have contacted us and we are due to meet in the new year to discuss how we can work more effectively together in the future.”

SiT is a drop-in centre for female survivors of childhood sexual abuse, run by volunteers.

It is a non-therapeutic, non-structured drop-in where people who have been sexually abused in their childhood can come together.

All of the volunteers have been affected by childhood sex abuse in some way, are trained and have the relevant checks made.

n To find out more about SiT call 07765 052282 or e-mail info@survivorsintransition.co.uk

n Have you been helped by the charity? Write to reporter Lizzie Parry at Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail lizzie.parry@archant.co.uk