The experiences shared by survivors of Medomsley Detention Centre remain some of the most distressing examples of abuse in youth detention. For many, the trauma caused during their time in custody has shaped their entire lives. Despite police investigations, prosecutions, successful civil claims and a compensation scheme, survivors continue to call for the full truth to be acknowledged.

At Switalskis, we believe a public inquiry into Medomsley – and into youth detention abuse more widely – is essential if we are to fully understand what went wrong, learn from it, and make sure it cannot happen again.

Medomsley Detention Centre and Neville Husband

Medomsley became the focus of national attention after the crimes of staff members, including Neville Husband and Leslie Johnston, came to light. Their offending was not isolated. Survivors have described an environment where they felt powerless and unheard, and where abuse was allowed to continue unchecked.

The Deerness report, published November 2025, stated that there have now been 2,852 allegations of physical or sexual abuse at Medomsley. Of the 549 sexual abuse allegations, 388 were made against Husband and 33 were made against Leslie Johnston.

In a recent report shared by The Guardian, which has been in the making for several years, a number of men bravely shared their accounts of the abuse that happened at Medomsley. These reflect what we hear from many survivors: a loss of childhood, lifelong emotional harm, and a profound sense that institutions did not protect them when they were at their most vulnerable.

Neville Husband worked as a prison officer and later as a senior figure at Medomsley Detention Centre during the 1970s and 1980s. In this position of authority, he had significant control over the daily lives of the boys held there, many of whom were aged just 14–17.

Survivors described Medomsley as an environment where discipline was harsh, oversight was weak and complaints were routinely dismissed. Within that culture, Husband was able to commit serious offences over many years without effective challenge.

Husband was eventually convicted in 2003 and again in 2005 for multiple sexual offences against boys in his care. His convictions came after decades of silence, during which many survivors struggled to come forward or felt unable to report what had happened to them.

Many survivors attempted to report abuse to Durham Police at the time. Unfortunately, these complaints were often dismissed, and some survivors recall being threatened or intimidated into silence. This lack of action not only allowed abuse to continue but contributed to a culture of fear that discouraged other victims from coming forward.

Why a public inquiry is still needed

Although significant work has been done over the years, survivors continue to feel that their experiences have not been fully recognised or understood.

The Deerness Report was published on 12 November, documenting abuse at Medomsley and reflecting the accounts of some survivors. While the report was an important step in acknowledging the scale of wrongdoing, many survivors have expressed that it falls short of what is needed for justice, recognition, and closure.

Limitations of the Deerness Report:

Survivors have highlighted several reasons why the report has not fully addressed their needs:

• Limited scope – The report focused on certain aspects of abuse and specific individuals, leaving many experiences underrepresented or unrecorded.
• Lack of accountability – While it details failures, survivors feel it did not sufficiently examine institutional and systemic responsibility, including the repeated failures of Durham Police to act on early complaints.
• No formal public platform – Many survivors were not given the opportunity to tell their story publicly, meaning their experiences remain largely unheard beyond the report.
• Insufficient recognition – The report, while factual, does not always convey the human impact and ongoing trauma survivors endure, limiting its therapeutic and symbolic value.
  

The call for a public inquiry:

Because of these gaps, survivors continue to advocate for a full public inquiry. Such an inquiry would:

• Give survivors a public voice to share their experiences in a safe and formal setting
• Provide a transparent examination of institutional failures, including the role of staff and police in allowing abuse to continue
• Offer an opportunity for acknowledgment, apology, and recognition that the Deerness Report alone cannot deliver
• Help ensure systemic lessons are learned to prevent abuse in youth detention centres in the future

For many, a public inquiry would represent a chance for justice and closure, not just for the individuals directly affected, but for all survivors who have long felt ignored or silenced.

Concerns across other institutions

While Medomsley is the most widely documented example, concerns about abuse in other detention environments – including Eastwood Park Detention Centre – show that these issues are not limited to one place or period in time. Reports from men who were detained at Eastwood Park echo familiar themes: inadequate safeguarding, a culture of silence, and a lack of institutional accountability.

These patterns reinforce the need for a system-wide inquiry to ensure that children and young people in custody today are protected.

Our Abuse Law Team has represented survivors of abuse in youth detentio n for many years, including those who suffered at Medomsley. We understand the courage it takes to speak about these experiences, often decades after they occurred.

Our role is to provide:

• Specialist legal advice from solicitors experienced in large-scale abuse cases
• Support throughout the claims process, always at the survivor’s pace
• A trauma-informed approach that prioritises dignity, respect, and understanding
• Guidance on civil claims, including claims of sexual abuse.

If you are considering speaking to someone, we are here to listen

You do not need records, evidence, or to have reported the abuse before. Many survivors contact us simply because they are ready to talk and want to understand their options.

If you experienced abuse at Medomsley , Eastwood Park, or another youth detention setting, our specialist team is here to provide confidential, compassionate advice.

If you need support please reach out, the following support services are available: 

• NSPCC – 0808 800 5000 (freephone 24 hour)
• Samaritans – freephone 24/7 – 116123
• Victim support – 0808 1689111
• Rape crisis helpline – 0808 5002222
• National Association for People Abused in Childhood - 0808 801 0331