A sex abuse survivor who was assaulted by former Durham coach, Michael Strange has called for an independent inquiry into abuse within the sport. The abuse survivor who hasn’t been publicly named has also revealed that he received no support from the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Strange went on to be charged on four separate occasions of sexual abuse over the last decade. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing, an interview with The Independent and was sentenced following trial.
The abuse survivor who sat for an interview with a UK news agency said, “I think it would be beneficial (to hold a Sheldon-style review).
Sheldon Review was the name of the independent review that was commissioned after players spoke out against abusers in football such as Barry Bennell, Bob Higgins and others.
“It is going to be worrying for people who have been involved to bring it all up again. I can quite confidently say there’s other people out there who’ve been a victim of Strange (who haven’t come forward yet), “suggested the sexual abuse survivor.
“If there’s just one positive that comes out of anything that’s found out, if one more victim has the courage to come forward and go to the police and get another conviction, someone who’s been having mental health problems from thinking every single day about what’s happened to them and not being able to speak, “continued David, a name given to the survivor by media.
He also suggested that the publicity could lead others to speak out against similar cases and abuse that they are going through.
It’s better to look for them than hide away the negatives- David
“The publicity that could prompt someone to speak out is a better thing than not doing anything at all. Yes, it’s going to have negatives, but if there are any positives at all out there, it’s better to look for them than hide away the negatives.”
David has also been disappointed at Durhan Cricket Club and the England Cricket Board for not contacting the survivors of Michael Strange.
“I don’t want to think they should come running to me, but it would have been good if they could have offered an olive branch, just asking if I’m all right, do I want to speak to them, make contact. But they haven’t. So it’s one of those things, “concluded David.
