Victims of a former school welfare officer, who was found guilty of sexual assault and incarcerated in December, have raised concerns about the lack of intervention by the school to mitigate the abuse they suffered. These individuals attended Lagan College in Belfast, where Neil Beckett served as a welfare officer and exploited his position to target vulnerable students, as reported by BBC News NI.
Several individuals, including two anonymous young women and parents of the victims, expressed disappointment in the school’s failure to effectively protect students from harm. Allegations against Beckett first surfaced in late 2022, prompting the involvement of the school’s safeguarding team. Despite assurances from the principal, Amanda McNamee, regarding the adherence to established child protection protocols, further allegations emerged in early 2023, leading to a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigation.
In candid interviews on The State of Us podcast, two individuals using pseudonyms, Jane and Ann, recounted their encounters with Beckett. They highlighted Beckett’s grooming tactics and manipulative behavior, emphasizing the distress and emotional turmoil they experienced. Both Jane and Ann criticized the school for its perceived inaction and inadequate support following the revelations of abuse.
The testimonies of Jane, Ann, and other parents suggest a lack of proper safeguarding measures and emotional assistance provided by Lagan College. Parents recounted feeling disregarded and disrespected by the school’s response to the situation, with one claiming that the institution prioritized its public image over the well-being of affected students. Despite the calls for accountability and an apology from the school, Lagan College maintained its commitment to student safety and declined to offer further commentary pending legal considerations
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