In this country the journey from Victoria Climbié to the full realisation everywhere of the spirit of ‘Every Child Matters’ represents a formidable challenge. It must be underpinned by a commitment to seeking a good outcome for each child and by being altogether more ambitious for each child in all we do.The years of childhood pass all too quickly. They are the foundation on which our future life is built. Let us strive to make childhood happy, safe and fulfilling for every child. It is against that hope that the memory of Victoria must live on.
Lord Laming, 2007
Victoria Climbié has become the iconic face of child protection following the public inquiry led by Lord Laming, a partial response to her death. Among the package of reforms was the government green paper and policy framework; Every Child Matters.
VCF – The Victoria Climbié Foundation UK has continued to work on behalf of the Climbié family, with the aim of not allowing any child to be failed by child protection services in the way that Victoria was. VCF is determined that Victoria’s death will not be in vain.
Like her smile that lit up a room, we want to use her courage to radiate across the nation so that children do not suffer in silence. Our promise to Victoria is to make the difference…
Crimes That Shook Britain investigates some of the country’s most horrendous murders through the eyes of people at the core of the crime. Together with reconstructions, key interviews and archive material to piece together the last moments of the victim’s life and how the fallout from the crime led to significant changes in British law.
Crimes That Shook Britain: Victoria Climbie
By Title Role Productions
Since her tragic death on 25th February 2000, so many have written about Victoria or tried to document the Victoria Climbié case, albeit with good intention very few had given it the justice it deserves. This programme has managed to do just that. The procedural approach highlights the impartiality, sensitivity and above all the respect and characteristic Victoria deserves.
Victoria’s case is widely known and discussed here in the UK and abroad and even today continues to be used as a case study for upcoming frontline staff within the Police, Social Work, Health, Education and other agencies working with children and young people. Whilst many in this country are aware of the failings surrounding Victoria’s tragic death, and of the radical reforms to the child protection system following the public inquiry, few know the exact circumstances and perspectives of the people who were actually there
Commenting on the programme, Mor Dioum Co-Founder and VCF Director said “For the first time in the history of this case a documentary piece has brought the key players together to constructively speak out about some very difficult moments both from a jurisprudence and systemic safeguarding perspective.”
The programme achieved the Foundation’s aim for Victoria to be remembered as a person, not just a name. It was a well-researched, well-intentioned piece that was balanced and sensitive, for those who were involved, and for the family who are determined that the work of the Foundation continues to seek improvements to the child protection system such that other children do not die in circumstances that mirror Victoria.