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Latest News FBGA are pleased to announce that David Whelan's remarkable story and account in care "No More Silence" is due to be published in November 2010. It is also available in a Kindle Edition and will be serialised in the Scottish Sunday Mail from November 21st 2010. MARION SCOTT and JIM MCBETH are a husband and wife team. They are helping David write his story. Marion is an award-winning journalist who works for Scotland's biggest selling national Sunday newspaper, the Sunday Mail. As well as winning accolades for her campaigning work on child abuse issues and miscarriages of justice, she has won the Campaigning Journalist of the Year award. Jim has been writing for national newspapers for 43 years. He currently works for the Daily Mail. He has also contributed to a number of national television and BBC radio documentaries. Full interview with David Whelan at Quarriers village for "No More Silence". NEW! The Scottish Human Rights Commission As part of their work to implement the recommendations of the Human Rights Framework for Justice and Remedies for Historic Child Abuse the Commission plans to hold (an) interaction(s) in 2012 with all of those who have a stake in the issue. The purpose of these interactions is to agree an action plan to implement the recommendations. The Commission is now inviting applications to tender for the preparation of such (an) interaction(s). This will involve risk assessment, preparatory meetings with all constituencies, project planning, and convening of interaction(s). The deadline for applications is 12 noon, 8 February 2012. 
NEW! Sacro Restorative Justice Services for Adult Survivors Abused in Care as Children. Time To Be Heard - Final Report of Pilot 22/11/11 (PDF format).NEW! Amnesty support calls for Northern Ireland clerical abuse probe Amnesty International 30/09/11. NEW! NI Ministers urged to move more quickly to establish inquiry with proper powers of investigation Amnesty International 29/09/11. NEW! Scottish Petitions Committee Official Report 29/11/11. Duncan Wilson, SHRC and Scottish Government Ministers give evidence, pages 5-16.
NEW! FBGA have recently written to the Scottish Petitions Committee Chair and its members, also The Scottish Government and All the Scottish MSPs. We kindly request the relevant Scottish Government authorities to now comply with their international obligations and address these historical abuse issues affecting Scotland.The Government and State was responsible for the regulation and oversight of these institutions and is still ultimately responsible for the treatment that former residents endured in these institutions including Quarriers. Time and distance does not absolve that responsibility. Nor does the current economic climate. We are urging The Scottish Petitions Committee and The Scottish Government to now commit and move to support the implementation of the SHRC framework, recommendations and a process, that is individually person centred yet beneficial to ALL Scottish victim-survivors. Please find attached a full copy of the letter dated 16th November 2011 (PDF format). NEW! Dear All, You can access and view all the submissions, including FBGA's, to the Scottish Petitions Committee regarding the Scottish historical abuse issues and the forthcoming presentation by the Scottish Human Rights Commission here. NEW! Beyond All Evil: Two monsters, two mothers, a love that will last forever by June Thomson and Giselle Ross, available from 10/11/11. Marion Scott and Jim McBeth, co-authors of "No More Silence" are helping June and Giselle to tell their story. June Thomson and Giselle Ross are inextricably linked by two unspeakable acts of evil. On the same day, a few miles apart, their estranged husbands slaughtered their children. The murders were not driven by rage, or committed in moments of madness. They were planned, and carried out with chilling precision, to inflict the worst pain imaginable.
NEW! Dear All, Please find attached a FBGA newsletter to bring you up to-date with recent developments concerning FBGA and the Scottish historical abuse issues. Duncan Wilson, Scottish Human Rights Commission, will be making a presentation to the Scottish Petitions Commission on the 29th November 2011, which can be viewed on the Scottish Parliament website. FBGA would like to extend our thanks to the SHRC for their continued interest in these issues, 01/11/11 (PDF format).NEW! Jersey abuse victims 'could soon get compensation' Jersey's government is ready to start paying compensation to people who were abused while in care, according to the chief minister, BBC News, 01/11/11. Convicted sex offender should never have been released to attack his carer Daily Record, 23/10/11. Northern Ireland Executive to establish historical abuse inquiry going back to 1945 BBC News, 29/09/11. Ex-employee of Quarriers Alexander Wilson, commits further crimes, is convicted and awaits sentencing. OAP fiend pounced on carer while she was giving him a bath, by Marion Scott, Daily Record, 09/10/11. Northern Ireland abuse inquiry could take two years to establish BBC News, 21/09/11.
THE CHILDREN'S HOME ABUSE SCANDAL by Marcello Mega. EXCLUSIVE Archive artice. A massive shake-up of Scottish children's homes which could have spared thousands from a life of abuse was shelved after Labour lost the 1970 election. Official papers released under the 30-year rule reveal a government taskforce uncovered brutality at a string of institutions. Scottish Sunday Mail, 2002 (PDF format).
FBGA's detailed response dated 6th September 2011 to the letter sent to the Petitions committee by INCAS in June 2011. This concerns the following, Timebar, Irish Model, TTBH, Restorative Justice-SACRO, Quarriers and FBGA's current position in these important matters (PDF format).Former child migrants launch class action by Isabel Hayes, the Age, 14/06/11. Australian government sued over abuse claims BBC News, 14/06/11. Full Taalk radio show broadcast from USA, FBGA would like to thank Diane Cranley and all at Taalk for all there support. Incas gathering 21/05/11. FBGA invited to take part in a worldwide Talk show broadcast from the United States. Here is the link to listen to FBGA's segment. Matthew George loses appeal over Kerelaw School abuse BBC News, 19/04/11.
Are you a survivor of childhood sexual abuse? Are you interested in assisting and volunteering for a project being undertaken by Napier University in Edinburgh? If so please find attached further participants information and contact details regarding this project. Also the recruitment flyer here. Angela Gullone, Project Assistant, March 2011 (PDF format).
Scottish Government response to the Time to be Heard recommendations and report 22/03/11 (PDF format).
Law change on child abuse compensation is welcomed Glasgow Herald, 21/03/11 (PDF format).Payout plans have let us down, say abuse victims by Brian Donnelly, the HeraldScotland, 21/03/11.
Feedback and summary from focus groups and service users concerning the In-Care Survivor Scotland Service, Feb 2011 (PDF format).Quarriers victims speak out "I made five suicide attempts after care home abuse", by Shelley Matheson, the Sun, 24/02/11. Link to the Scottish Parliament film archive. Commissioners Tom Shaw and Anne Carpenter appear before the Petitions committee regarding Time to Be Heard, 01/03/11. The session is archived for one calender month only.
FBGA's response to Scottish Government and Petitions Committee concerning the TTBH report 07/03/2011 (PDF format).
FBGA statement referred to in Edinburgh and Glasgow at the TTBH meetings concerning the TTBH Pilot and Confidentiality model 01 and 02/03/2011 (PDF format).
Time to Be Heard pilot report - regarding Quarriers historical abuse issues - by Tom Shaw, Kathleen Marshall and Anne Carpenter, 23/02/2011 (PDF format).
FBGA's Restorative Justice: An Overview by Tony F Marshall, Home Office, 1999.
The Primary objectives of Restorative Justice are:
FBGA state that there has to be a full open debate and proper consultation concerning Restorative Justice in relation to victim-survivors abused in the past Scottish care system. We would advise all Quarriers Former residents and their families at this time, not to give up any such human "RIGHTS" and seek full independent advice throughout their participation in any SACRO-Restorative Justice process concerning Scotland at this time. We would also advise all participants and their familes to state clearly to SACRO and its representatives, what sort of remedies, redress and reparation, including full compensation that they wish for themselves and their families for the damage inflicted on them and their families by such abuse perpetrated in the Quarriers past care system. FBGA cannot recommend the SACRO processes at this time, we believe that vulnerable individuals are simply being taken advantage of, by fostering on to them a process that is not acceptable or appropriate for this vulnerable group of adults. FBGA believe that Restorative Justice as defined at this time will not provide the beneficial outcomes for the majority of the Scottish historical victim-survivors and their families that they seek. The Restorative Justice process in Scotland is flawed as it currently stands and proposed in relation to the historical abuse victim-survivors and is not "Fit for Purpose" (PDF format). Jersey care home couple jailed for assaulting children BBC News, 06/01/11.
FBGA's response to the Scottish Ministers who appeared before the Petitions committee concerning PE1351 and the historical abuse issues affecting Scotland and the victim-survivors abused in the past Scottish care system, 21/12/10. FBGA have clarified a number of issues, from our perspective, that were addressed or referred too by the Scottish Government Ministers in their address to the said committee (PDF format).
FBGA email to petitioner of PE1351 and Jean McLellan at the Scottish Government concerning the Historical Abuse issues, 06/12/10. FBGA wish to clarify our position and make it publicly available so as to be wholely open and transparent with ALL the survivors we represent as well those we do not and all other parties, and to avoid any issue which FBGA raises being misconstruted or misrepresented by others. We are very concerned as the Petitioners of PE1351 have raised serious issues concerning the ICSSS service, on which FBGA worked with the Scottish Government in a subgroup for over a year, as the feedback we have from Quarriers Victim survivors is contary to that position held by the Petitioners (PDF format).Link to the Petitions Committee regarding PE 1351, with the submissions of all the various parties including the FBGA.
FBGA submission regarding PE1351 to the Scottish Government's Petitions Committee, 29/11/10. FBGA believe that the historical abuse issues affecting Scotland can be resolved with the inclusion of all victim-survivors in all the processes in line with the SHRC framework document and recommendations. We call on the Scottish Government to address the issues to the benefit of the victim-survivors without causing further harm or damage (PDF format).
FBGA submission to the Scottish Government's Petitions Committee, 12/11/10 (PDF format). Dear All, FBGA have raised a number of issues with the Petitions Committee, see attached PDF, concerning the lack of progress to-date and the ongoing processes which in our view are flawed and imperfect. The processes as they currently stand do not have sufficent mandate, scope or remit to resolve the Scottish historical abuse issues to the victim-survivors benefit. In addition we have recently raised issues with Tom Shaw, Sacro and the representatives of the Scottish Government concerning a number of issues including a lack of consultation, with regards Sacro's involvement and other issues which require to be resolved to the benefit of the Victim-survivors. FBGA will bring further updates in due course.
FBGA Press Release concerning the Scottish Government's current management of the Historical Abuse survivor processes, 26/11/10. (PDF format here).Inspiring memoirs reveal Quarriers Children's Village victim's fight for justice, the Scottish Sunday Mail, 21/11/10. Scottish Sunday Mail exclusive video interview with David Whelan at Quarriers Village for "No More Silence", 19/11/10.
Email to FBGA from the Survivor Scotland Team, 10/11/10. Following a specific written request from FBGA to Tom Shaw, Chair of Time To Be Heard, all former residents of Quarriers who participated in Time To Be Heard will now have the opportunity to engage with Sacro regardless of where they reside. FBGA will be bringing further updates in the near future concerning Restorative Justice and Sacro. (PDF format).
Alternative critical review of the Tom Shaw report, by Mark Smith, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Edinburgh University. Victim narratives of historical abuse in residential child care: do we really know what we think we know? Qualitative Social Work, 27/08/10 (PDF format).
FBGA submission regarding children's in-care records for the Public Records consultation conducted recently by the Scottish Government, August 2010. (PDF format).
Time to be Heard letter sent out to former Quarrier Homes residents from the Chair, Tom Shaw, 26/03/2010 (PDF format).Urgent Notice To All Former Quarriers Residents. To enable you to access the Pilot Forum it is important that you complete the form which is at the back of your pack by 30th April 2010 and send this back to the Survivor Scotland Team, Scottish Government, Area 2ER, St Andrews House, Edinburgh EH1 3DG. You should have received a stamped addressed envelope with your pack. If you require assistance with accessing the Pilot Forum you can phone the Survivor Scotland Team on 0131 244 3633 or 0131 244 3214. If you still have difficulties please let us know and we will raise that with the team.
FBGA Time to Listen statement, 10/04/2010. Dear All, Please find some helpful guidance notes on documents and issues that you may wish to address and provide to the Commissioners in relation to the Pilot Forum. If you require further advice, information or support we will be pleased to assist you. Please email the group at fbga1@aol.com (PDF format). Html version here.Time to Be Heard Information pack. In this pack you will see references to Time to be Heard's commitment in relation to confidentiality, security of information and the special considerations that apply when dealing with personal information. We understand our responsibility in these matters and will shortly issue more detailed guidance. This will include information about the measures to be put in place in relation to security of information and data protection. Download the Time to be Heard information pack in PDF format here. At the back of the pack you will find an application form which you can fill in and send to Survivor Scotland Team, Scottish Government, Area 2ER, St Andrews House, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG. You should also download and complete this PDF format diversity monitoring form to send in with the application form.
Time to Be Heard advert, April 2010 (PDF format).
Time to Be Heard what does it mean for Quarrier's victim-survivors of historical abuse? April 2010 (PDF format).
Time to Be Heard Remit and Status, April 2010 (PDF format).
Time to Be Heard Roles and Responsibilities, April 2010 (PDF format).
FBGA press statement which will be appearing in the UK Parliament magazine, Scottish devolved Government supplement, 1st March 2010, available in the Scottish Parliament. FBGA call upon the Scottish Government and the Parliamentarians to implement in full the Scottish Human Rights Commission's recommendation's and findings forthwith in relation to the historical abuse matters concerning Scotland (PDF format).
FBGA support this Pilot Forum initiative which is wholly independent of the Scottish Government and organizations including Quarriers, 19/02/10 (PDF format).HTML version here.
Scottish Human Rights Commission review of International Human Rights Law relevant to the proposed Acknowledgement and Accountability Forum for adult survivors of historical abuse, February 2010 (PDF format).
Scottish Human Rights Commission framework document and recommendations for the proposed Acknowledgement and Accountability Forum, February 2010 (PDF format).
Survivor Scotland invites Quarriers former residents to speak and participate in the Pilot Forum, 05/02/10. Up to 100 former residents will now be invited to speak to the Time to be Heard Pilot Forum. The Pilot Forum – consisting of a panel of independent experts – will test out one way of giving a voice to people who were in care as children by having the histories of their time in care acknowledged and recognised. Sessions will be held in private with those who choose to come forward being offered support throughout (PDF format).
FBGA's submission to the Scottish Human Rights Commission, dated 22nd June 2009. In addition there is an FBGA Press Statement at the end of the submission as to the FBGA group's current position in relation to the historical abuse issues proposed Pilot Forum in Scotland (PDF format).
FBGA say it is "Time to Listen" to the True Victim-Survivors of Quarriers Homes institutional past abuse. We the True Victim-survivors of Quarriers issue this Press statement on 06/02/10 in response to yesterday's announcement by the Scottish Government and the Quarriers Trustees (PDF format).HTML version here.
FBGA response to Chair of FACT, Michael Barnes' recent email, 01/02/10 (PDF format).
Email dated 28/01/10 to FBGA from Michael Barnes, Chair of the Falsely Accused Carers and Teachers, following our comments in the Sunday Times 24/01/10 (PDF format).Solicitors drum up childhood-abuse cases with jail ads by Daniel Foggo, Times Online, 24/01/10. Including comments concerning the Historical Abuse True Victim-Survivors by FBGA and David Whelan
FBGA's concerns regarding the Advisor Board process. The Advisor Board selection and vetting process by SIRCC was clearly flawed, nor open or transparent to full public and True Victim Survivor scrutiny. The current Advisor Board appointees are neither fully representative of a broad spectrum of True Victim Survivors abused in the past Scottish Care system. Given that The Advisor board selection process was, selective, partial, predetermined and not independently administered. With all due respect, FBGA will highlight such corrupt or flawed processes concerning True Victim survivors in Scotland as such practices impact on all the True Victim-survivors. FBGA cannot simply ignore such malpractice as has evolved in this process of selecting the current advisors (PDF format).
FBGA's briefing paper and current position with regards the "Acknowledgement and Accountability" processes concerning Scotland, which has recently been published in the House of Commons briefing Sector magazine, under Children, Schools and Families. FBGA will bring you further updates in the New Year! (PDF format).FBGA would like to thank the House of Commons for providing the group with the opportunity to highlight our issues in The House, the parliamentary weekly magazine, No 1325, Vol 35, December 7, 2009, page 7. The article can also be found here. FBGA have chosen the Big Issue magazine, a Charity dedicated to promoting practical solutions to helping vulnerable adults and others who's voices are the least heard in today's society, for its 1st UK wide Press Release. FBGA, 23/11/2009.
(PDF version here ).Many of you may have received the following letter and consent form from SIRCC in conjunction with the CLA requesting your participation in research, concerning the "Acknowledgement and Accountability" proposal. This is simply research and it not the actual forum. The structure and procedures of the forum have not been agreed as such. All individuals should think carefully before providing confidential and personal information concerning your own individual abuse case to anybody with the exception of the police. Remember what happened with Dr Janet Boakes and the personal and confidential information you gave her and how it was misused against you in the courts. FBGA have provided you with guidance marked in RED in the document which you should print off! FBGA, 29/10/2009
(PDF version here ).
FBGA update and statement regarding "Acknowledgement and Accountability" 17/05/2009, and FBGA's original contribution with regard to the "Acknowledgement and Accountability" consultation, submitted to the Scottish Government on the 13th January 2009 (PDF format).The Scottish Human Rights Commission are conducting a consultation on behalf of the Scottish Government concerning the Historical Abuse issues "Acknowledgement and Accountability". FBGA would encourage all Quarriers Survivors abused in-care in Scotland to contact them independently and directly to ensure their "Rights" and "Voices" are heard! FBGA have submitted a paper which we will publish in due course.
The Lantern Project, coping with childhood abuse - help and support agencies (PDF format).Scottish government to streamline care and health regulators communitycare.co.uk, 07/11/08. |