Assault of a Child on a School Camp
October 24th, 2008
In 1984 I was a thirteeen year old school child attending Rhydfelen school.
At the end of Year 2 John Owen, as Head of Year, decided to interfere in my education
He did this because he chose to favour a child he was grooming at that time.
In September 1984 I joined Year 3 of Rhydfelen school.
My parents complained in a letter about John Owen’s interference in my education.
My parents were the very first parents to complain about John Owen’s interference.
My parents’ complaint was ignored.
In October 1984 John Owen took revenge.
At the Urdd Gobaith Cymru’s Llangrannog campsite, John Owen assaulted me late at night.
The assault was so vicious that it would reverberate throughout my schooling and later life.
Soon after the assault, I would attempt to commit suicide.
My letters, diaries, journals, school creative work portray a deeply disturbed and traumatised child.
Children who are assaulted in the way that John Owen assaulted me feel shame, guilt, and other negative feelings.
I hold my head high and admit that I have had these feelings.
It is twenty four years to the week that John Owen assaulted me and I am still here.
I started the Clywch blog as I will not be silenced or victimised again.
I am now an adult and can give voice to my experiences.
I am no longer an anonymous victim of John Owen hiding in the shadows of fear.
I have a name and you may use it here or elsewhere if you wish.
Tonight I will enjoy a meal with my youngest brother, his wife and children. My family have supported me through the darkest days and their love has been the rock upon which I have rebuilt my life.
Darren Rees
Categories: Clywch | Tags: 1983, anonymity, assault, child abuse, complaint, family, fear, feelings, guilt, john owen, letter, llangrannog, shame, urdd gobaith cymru
It takes courage to bare your soul to everyone mate so feel proud and you have my support .
Kelvin
Hi Darren,
John Owen was an Unmeasurable Bastard wasn’t he!!!!
As you know he made life for me unbearable too, I too tried to take my own life.
But what angers me most is the Covering up of his actions, the secrecy of The school and Glamorgan County Council and of the Education authority.
Yes John Owen was a major embarrasment.. but why hide the fact and protect him???
They let us down, time and time again and one day i will discover why it was such a major cover up!
Darren, I like Kelvin Admire you, your strength to keep going and now to expose the lies and the Filth that was John Arwel Owen.
Here for you also.
Ellen.