Ignorance Is No Excuse - Oxfam

The title of this blog entry today, should be seen from a number of different angles. Let me first explain the nature of my words.  Most of my readers are well aware of what happened in my life over the last few years.  If not take a look at my other blogs to find out.

The circumstances of why I ended up living in Spain are clear from my first two blogs, describing the events that led to my departure from The UK and the restarting of my life.  Since moving to The Costa Blanca, I have not given up the fight to right a terrible wrong, that is still playing out in one of the biggest charities in the world.    I have been approached by agents, newspapers, magazines and in one case British morning television.  All of whom, are interested in exposing, just what happened to me and others.  I am still taking advice, everyday, from legal representatives, as to the consequences of any future action by me.  There has been times, when I have been unsure, about what I have experienced, and need clarification, from others, who like me, have been in a similar or much worse position.

The one single phrase that keeps popping up, time and time again, is 'Ignorance is no excuse'.  The phrase should apply to all of us, during our life, legally and otherwise. During my time at this charity, I suffered a deterioration in health, resulting from neglect and a denial of the rules, laws and guidelines put in place to protect employees. My Manager, offloaded her responsibility, claiming ignorance.  She purported to have no knowledge of my Bipolar, when in fact she did,  She claimed to not know the law, with regards to illness in the workplace, when she had a duty to research and understand the implications. Most damaging of all, she ignored, not only my cry for help, but that of others also.  My life was put severely at risk, resulting in possible death.  All the while, this 'wonderful' charity I worked for, hid the truth, protected the perpetrators, left vulnerable people to fend for themselves and refused to do anything to protect their workforce.  Shocking behaviour, but all true, documented and  saved. IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE!

So my Manager ignored her staff and her superiors disregarded her failings, which were many and growing, the last time I worked for them.  There were also others who paid no attention to what was going on, under their very noses; WORK COLLEAGUES; A growing number of my peer group, were well aware of what was happening to me and other Managers.  In fact I actually informed several of them myself, after all, they should be aware of a serious situation, so they can protect themselves and of course, those volunteers who worked for them.  Unsurprisingly, my messages were disregarded, yet again.

For me this was the most shocking aspect to what happened.  However, when taking advice, I was told this is typical.  One person told me, it is called the 'Hitler Affect'. Under Hitlers leadership, people were well aware of what was going on, persecution, victimisation and mass murder, yet they did nothing to stop or help prevent it. It is a disturbing fact, that my colleagues, turned their back on me and others, because they wanted to protect their own self interest.  These were supposed to be, good, honourable, charitable individuals, who devoted their lives to helping eradicate poverty in Africa, yet they turned a blind eye to their own kin folks suffering.  Once again, shocking; IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE!

When the time is right, my story will be told.  Those who were responsible, will without a doubt be prosecuted. I know that will happen, because I have that guarantee. Others who took part, knowingly or not, will also suffer the consequences of their actions or inactions.  Only they can answer for what they did or didn't do.  You have to remember, these were friends as well as colleagues.  That sometimes makes it hard to bare!

As time goes on, I am told, I will begin to forget what happened, rebuild my life and move on.  That possibly is true; certainly not yet.  All the time those who took part in horrendous crimes against others are in post, I will continue to work for justice.  Good must prevail.  If I don't do anything and something terrible happens, I would be as guilty as those who violated me.  One day, I will finally sleep easy in my bed!