Topic: Cunard child abuse claims investigated

Child abuse is alleged to have taken place on board Cunard's Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2.

An unnamed man from Wiltshire [who no longer works for the line] has been accused of abusing children whilst working aboard the liners.

The abuse is alleged to have happened over a five year period, the Mail on Sunday reported.

Cunard said it was co-operating fully with the police inquiry, and in a statement said: "We are deeply shocked by these allegations as the safety and wellbeing of our customers is of paramount importance to us.

"A thorough police investigation is under way which we are supporting and co-operating with fully.

"And we are working closely with the NSPCC to ensure that affected families and children are cared for and offered appropriate support."

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As the man concerned was from the UK, it raises the question, do Cunard have UK crew CRB checked?
I know that all UK crew working for RCCL, Celebrity & Azamara Cruises have to be CRB checked whether or not their job demands them coming into contact with children.

I brought up this topic up on Sunday - now top of hot topics - with 51 replys

The Cunard employee - Paul Trotter - has now appeared in court and admitted the sexual abuse of 13 children at various times on all 3 Cunard ships. As a parent of a child on board one of the ships when this guy was working, I was very relieved to discover my child was not affected but really feel for those families whose children were abused. Just goes to remind us that CRB checks only show up those already known about.

BBC News - Cunard cruise ship worker Paul Trotter admits abusing children