Durham Apologizes for Oversight in Michael Strange Abuse Case

Durham County has issued an apology following a troubling review that revealed its failure to contact abuse victims and inadequately examine safeguarding procedures related to the convictions of former coach Michael Strange. The independent review, which was made public on Tuesday, highlights serious lapses in response and oversight, particularly after Strange was convicted of multiple child sex offences.

Strange, aged 65, had been a junior coach and talent scout for Durham’s cricket pathway in the Gateshead area from the mid-1990s until the early 2000s. He has been convicted of 34 separate offences including indecent assault, rape, and gross indecency against ten victims between the years 1993 and 2004. Officers from Northumbria Police, who contributed to the review, suggested that the true extent of his abuse may involve “hundreds” of incidents.

Failures in Safeguarding Procedures

The review pointed out that while no one was aware of Strange’s sexual abuse at the time, there was a significant failure among his peers and the county to recognize and address concerning behavior. This included the known fact that Strange possessed and shared pornographic material with young players. The report criticized the “retrospective lack of recognition” from Durham after details of Strange’s offences became public.

The review articulated that even when many details of Strange’s abuse were available, Durham did not see the opportunity to learn or fulfill their responsibilities towards the victims. “No evidence was found that safeguarding policies and procedures had been the subject of internal review, nor any consideration being given to reach out to the victims,” the findings stated.

It was noted that over twelve years after Strange’s initial conviction, neither the clubs nor the county board had taken action to learn from the case. This lack of initiative is described as “a matter of concern” in the review.

Durham released a statement expressing their thoughts for the victims and acknowledging the horrific conduct of Strange. They apologized for the events that transpired within the sport and committed to working harder to prevent such incidents in the future.

Recommendations for Future Safeguarding

The review found that Strange had “acted abusively” towards young players at various festivals while coaching Durham junior sides. His association with Durham was noted to have been exploited by Strange to gain the trust of young players and their parents.

Although Strange was permanently disqualified from all cricket activities in April 2006, following a criminal complaint that was later withdrawn, the review revealed a failure to effectively communicate this disqualification. Consequently, Strange continued to attend matches at his local club, which raised further concerns about oversight.

The review made several recommendations, including the establishment of a national policy to clarify how and when contact should be initiated with abuse victims in a cricket context. It also suggested that clubs should review their safeguarding policies whenever a former member or volunteer is convicted of a related crime.

In response to the findings, Richard Gould, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), expressed sorrow for the victims of Michael Strange. He emphasized the need for a safe environment for all participants in cricket and acknowledged that while safeguarding policies have evolved significantly since Strange’s suspension, there is no room for complacency.

Gould reiterated the importance of recognizing concerning behavior and acting upon it to ensure safer environments in the sport. The recommendations from this review will inform ongoing efforts to strengthen safeguarding measures and education within cricket.