Maggie’s riveting book, Survivors, is the story about Maggie’s life, how she got into child sex investigations, Operation Augusta and then Operation Span, how this all went horribly wrong, and what happened next. It is a gripping account not only of a principled public servant, but how a woman and a mother tackles really nasty offending, like sexual abuse. When she presented all this at Dartington’s Ways with Words, the audience was so inspired that it gave her a standing ovation.
Hugh Marriage OBE
Former forensic psychologist and Home Office Crime Reduction Director
We owe Maggie Oliver a great debt for blowing the whistle about police failures and mal-practice at Greater Manchester Police in relation to the investigation of child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs. She showed great skill, compassion and commitment working with two key victims, very badly damaged young women who had been failed by authorities and had no trust in the police. Through patience and compassion, she enabled the provision of critical evidence that led to the prosecution and convictions of a number of perpetrators.
Harriet Wistrich
Founding Director
We first became aware of Maggie’s involvement with the young girls in Rochdale via her friend Jacqui Stewart who is a highly respected activist within the Communication Workers Union. Initially we were looking to invite Maggie to one of our quarterly Regional Women’s Committee meetings but then we decided to run an event centred around women who were actively involved with local issues or who were changing things within their own arenas. We titled it ‘Women of Today’.
Karen Kendrick
CWU NW Regional Women’s Secretary
At CIPFA’s Annual Conference, which attracts over 800 delegates from the public service world, Maggie delivered two great sessions on governance and the importance of taking an ethical stand in public service provision.
She is a thoroughly engaging speaker and spoke with honesty and conviction about the human cost of governance failures.
From the feedback we received after our session, it is clear that Maggie’s moving story pushed our delegates to do more, and to do better.
Drew Cullen
Director
I first met Maggie Oliver on 24 April 2013. I head one of the country’s leading teams of lawyers handling child abuse cases and have been working in this area for over 20 years.
When Maggie came into my office she had a bundle of papers and an accompanying story which was hard to believe.
Maggie had been a senior Police Officer who was so appalled at the treatment of abuse victims in Rochdale that she had resigned. She had since worked tirelessly to secure justice for these victims.
Jonathan Bridge
Partner, Abuse & Inquest
Maggie spoke on the topic of ‘Exploitation: who is responsible?’ to an audience of 300 young leaders from around the world at One Young World London 2019.
She emphasised the individual’s responsibility to call out exploitation and take action by sharing her challenging and inspirational story. The audience were enthralled by what Maggie had to do to achieve justice for the victims of the Rochdale scandal.
Jemima Lovatt
One Young World
Maggie was one of the keynote speakers at the student-led conference One Young World Bath held at the University of Bath in March 2020. Her keynote was one of the highlights of the day; she was so warm and friendly with the students who all adored her! Maggie’s belief in social justice and the way in which she has brought attention to the plight of young female victims of sexual violence resonated with the student audience. Her messages around standing up to injustice and entrenched, unequal power inspired everyone who attended. We hope that we can continue to work with Maggie and her amazing Foundation and Centre and look forward to welcoming her back to Bath.
Emily Richards
Business Engagement Manager
“I attended Maggie’s talk at the festival and was so moved by her inspirational presentation that I immediately bought her book – Survivors.
Maggie’s authenticity, honesty and humility were evident and she spoke with great passion about the suffering of teenage girls as victims of abuse and the frustrations encountered in bringing their perpetrators to justice and finally conviction. This came about at great personal cost to Maggie but what shone through were her desperate feelings of injustice towards the victims and her desire to help them then and now.
Maggie speaks from the heart and I found her story heartening if hard to hear.”
Sue Ward
Attendee
I attended Maggie’s talk at the festival and was so moved by her inspirational presentation that I immediately bought her book – Survivors.
Maggie’s authenticity, honesty and humility were evident and she spoke with great passion about the suffering of teenage girls as victims of abuse and the frustrations encountered in bringing their perpetrators to justice and finally conviction. This came about at great personal cost to Maggie but what shone through were her desperate feelings of injustice towards the victims and her desire to help them then and now.
Maggie speaks from the heart and I found her story heartening if hard to hear.
Vanessa Dooley
Founder Jigsaw Early Years Consultancy
This service that the foundation are working to put together and build, ensuring it meets the needs of people who have been abused is an absolute must.
Actually …it’s more than a must !
As an experienced safeguarding instructor and trainer in early years I am seeing time and time again children being subjected to abuse which affects their whole being.
Firstly we have to stop the abuse which is a never ending task and secondly we have to support children and adults who have been through that horrific event in their life.
The affects it has on someone’s self esteem, self worth and confidence, not only their emotional but their physical too can be catastrophic… on a personal note… I know it can.
The country is crying out for this service and needs the support and funding to get it off the ground as it will be constantly in demand .. there is so much proof for that and this service fills a gap in the current market that is invaluable.
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