Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Sources
- Acknowledgements
- Preface
- one The second week of January 1973 …
- two November and December 1972 …
- three The state of social work
- four The public inquiry
- five Social work on trial
- six Afterwards …
- seven The trial continues …
- Appendix 1 Maria Colwell – synopsis
- Appendix 2 Maria Colwell – a chronology
- References
- Index
Preface
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 September 2022
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Sources
- Acknowledgements
- Preface
- one The second week of January 1973 …
- two November and December 1972 …
- three The state of social work
- four The public inquiry
- five Social work on trial
- six Afterwards …
- seven The trial continues …
- Appendix 1 Maria Colwell – synopsis
- Appendix 2 Maria Colwell – a chronology
- References
- Index
Summary
In producing this account, we have been sensitive to those who knew Maria personally and who might read this book. We have received correspondence from family members, who, although they have made themselves known through the press, have asked us to respect their privacy. Accordingly, we have not made reference to the names of any of Maria's brothers and sisters, many of whom now have children of their own.
It is easy to forget, given the iconic status of the Maria Colwell ‘case’, that woven into it is a network of individuals whose lives continued long after more public attention turned away from them. In Brighton, the media invokes her name almost every time there is a case of child abuse reported. Commenting on one such case, one of Maria Colwell’s brothers is reported as follows:
“I think more could have been done to save those other children going through what they have been through. It’s terrible.”
His sister was fostered by the Coopers from 1966 to 1971, while he was looked after by his grandparents.
Their mother went to court to get Maria back, despite having had another family with Kepple.
Mr Colwell said: “Maria should never have gone back.
“Every week I go down and put flowers on her grave. I always say ‘you shouldn't be here.’
“She would have been 34 this week and would probably be married with children of her own. If Doris and Bob Cooper had kept her, she would be here today.
“Not only did social services fail Maria, even the law did as well because he only got four years.”
Kepple was sentenced to eight years for manslaughter, but had it reduced to four years on appeal.
Mr Colwell said: “He only did four years and he kicked her to death. How can you get four years for kicking and tormenting a child to death?
“The anger I felt towards him was unbelievable. I just wanted to put him through what he put my sister through.”
We are mindful that for some, this will never be a former ‘case’ of child abuse but will be a continuous reminder of a part of their own experiences.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Social Work on TrialThe Colwell Inquiry and the State of Welfare, pp. vii - viiiPublisher: Bristol University PressPrint publication year: 2011