Almost two years ago, a knife-wielding teenager attacked a Taylor Swift-themed workshop in Southport, leaving 26 children and adults injured. The attacker, Axel Rudakubana, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 52 years for the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar, and Bebe King, as well as injuring eight children and two adults.
Anonymity Orders Leave Families Feeling Invisible
The eight children injured, along with 15 others present, were granted anonymity orders to protect their identities. However, this has left their families feeling invisible in their own town. John and Amy (names changed) spoke to the ECHO about the ongoing impact on their daughters and themselves.
Ongoing Challenges
“Every week is a new challenge,” Amy said. “It’s still very raw and recent for us. We take the kids to school but don’t know if we’ll get a phone call just after leaving them.” Their eldest daughter, the oldest child in the room, continues to suffer. She struggles in class and has been bullied, though her school offers one-on-one mentoring.
Data Breach Adds to Trauma
Last month, it was revealed that 48 staff at the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group Trust improperly accessed medical records of three victims, including John and Amy’s daughter. The teen, 13 at the time, suffered a punctured lung, a serious arm wound, and a fractured spine. The family was informed just hours before the news went public.
John said: “We wouldn’t have found out if not for the press. They weren’t going to tell us. Now our eldest worries her injuries will be made public on her 18th birthday.”
Trust Response
James Sumner, CEO of the trust, apologized for the distress caused. Of 64 suspicious accesses, 48 staff faced disciplinary action, but none were dismissed. The trust decided not to inform patients due to potential psychological impact.
Call for Terrorism Law Reform
John and Amy seek a change in legislation defining terrorism. Rudakubana was charged with terrorism offenses after ricin and an Al Qaeda manual were found, but the attack was not classified as terrorism due to lack of clear ideology. Amy said: “Targeting a vulnerable group is an idea. The law is outdated.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has questioned whether laws should change to address the threat from dangerous loners.
Desire to Leave Southport
The family feels unsupported and would have relocated if possible. “If this had been terrorism, we could have had a relocation package. We would have left,” John said. Their children regress during warm weather, reminiscent of the attack.
Looking Forward
The family is launching a charity, Go Anywhere, Be Anything (GABA), but anonymity creates barriers. They recently held the GABA Ball, raising funds for KnifeSavers. They thank Southport Football Club and Southport Roundtable for support.
“It’s about the collective,” John said. “Something positive for Southport, everyone coming together.”
