The Forgotten Boys is a support organisation dedicated to serving men who were child victims of abuse within Correctional Institutions and other facilities within the British Borstal system. Recognising the profound trauma, mistrust, addictions, homelessness, and limited life opportunities that many of these men endure, The Forgotten Boys addresses the horrific reality of the abuse inflicted by those who were supposed to care for, nurture, and protect them. By focusing on their mental health and the systemic issues that contributed to their suffering, The Forgotten Boys is committed to an equity-based approach that reaches underserved populations who otherwise lack access to supportive services.
A short video to introduce The Forgotten Boys
Please watch our introductory video by Director and Lead Therapist, Joe Langley.
About Us:
The Forgotten Boys was founded after discussions among men who reflected on their experiences of abuse in UK correctional institutions, particularly in the North of England. Institutions such as Lover Lee School, Ashbank Remand Home for Children, Tong Park Borstal, and Medomsley Detention Centre were central to these conversations, leading to the formation of an online self-support group. This group has since evolved into an organisation committed to supporting men who have suffered abuse, exploitation, and emotional trauma.
All of our programmes are developed and run by lived-experience practitioners, ensuring an authentic, empathetic approach to supporting our clients. We offer a wide range of services, combining therapeutic interventions with practical assistance to address the diverse needs of men facing challenges such as PTSD, homelessness, addiction, and issues with the criminal justice system. We are dedicated to helping them rebuild their lives and overcome these barriers.
In addition to direct support, The Forgotten Boys provides Lived Experience Accredited Training for professionals working with vulnerable adults and at-risk children. This training enhances professionals' understanding and effectiveness in supporting individuals with similar histories, ensuring they receive trauma-informed care. Given that many of our clients were harmed by the very institutions meant to protect them, our training also addresses the deep mistrust often felt towards services connected to their past trauma.
A key component of our work is the Pressure Drop Boxing Group, a transformative initiative for men who have endured addiction, homelessness, abuse, exploitation, or childhood trauma within correctional institutions. Combining the physical discipline of boxing with a supportive environment, the programme empowers participants to make positive life changes, fostering recovery and growth.
The Golden Tear
A Symbol of Child Abuse Within the System
The Golden Tear is inspired by the facial tear tattoos worn by Borstal Boys in the 1970s—a silent mark of the pain and suffering caused by the system. Reimagined as a national symbol, the Golden Tear honours all children who have endured neglect, abuse, or hardship within the Social Care, Educational, and Correctional Systems.
This symbol serves as a reminder of the abuse children suffered at the hands of those who should care for, nurture, and protect them. It is also a call to action to stand up for those who continue to endure the same trauma today as in the past.
By wearing the Golden Tear badge or sharing it on social media, you can raise awareness, spark conversations, and ensure these children are never forgotten.
Download the Golden Tear graphic below and share it to show your support for children affected by these systems. Together, we can give them the recognition they deserve.
#GoldenTear #endsystemabuse
What was the Borstal System? The UK Borstal system was established in the early 20th century as a method of youth detention aimed at reforming young offenders. The first Borstal was founded in the village of Borstal, Kent, in 1902, and the system was designed for children and young men aged 15 to 21. Its primary focus was on rehabilitation through strict discipline, vocational training, and education, with the goal of reforming delinquent youth and preparing them for reintegration into society. The system, however, left these children as broken men.
The Borstal system was one part of a broader network of institutions that dealt with young offenders or vulnerable children, each with its own focus and approach. These institutions often had overlapping functions concerning control and care, and they evolved over time to address the "needs" of children in different ways:
Approved Schools-Reformatory Schools - Industrial Schools - Pre-Borstal Remand Homes - Youth Detention Centres (YDCs) - Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) - Detention Centres - Workhouses (Historical Context) - Children’s Homes and Residential Care - Mental Health Institutions (Asylums)
These institutions collectively represented the varied approaches used by the state to manage young offenders and vulnerable children While borstals were distinctive for their focus on education and rehabilitation, the broader system comprised a range of facilities and policies aimed at reforming, controlling, and caring for children and young adults in different contexts.
"When working with vulnerable men, how can you identify signs that they may have experienced abuse or trauma while in the Borstal system or children's homes?"
Forgotten Voices of Child Abuse
Crimes against children should never be accepted, normalised or forgotten.
ICO registration number ZB565007
