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Latest News FBGA are pleased to announce that David Whelan's remarkable story and account of life in care "No More Silence" was published by Harper Collins in November 2010. You can browse selected chapters of the book, which is also available in a Kindle Edition and was serialised in the Scottish Sunday Mail. 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. Scottish Sunday Mail interview David Whelan at Quarriers village for "No More Silence", 19/11/10. 
Peter Garsden, President of Child Abuse Lawyers Association, reviews No More Silence (PDF format).
NEW! Former Quarriers ‘house mother’ force‐fed kids and hit them with shoes in appalling child cruelty. Anne Whitty carried out her sickening abuse on vulnerable children for almost three decades at Quarriers Home in Bridge of Weir. A former Renfrewshire children's home boss has been found guilty of force feeding kids, hitting them with shoes and making them stand for “prolonged periods” in darkness.Cruel Anne Whitty carried out abuse on 12 children at Quarriers Home in Bridge of Weir during her spell as ‘house mother’ between 1974 and 2003. After a trial spanning almost three weeks at Paisley Sheriff Court, the jury found Whitty guilty of 11 charges of “cruel” and “unnatural treatment” of children whose “care and protection” she was responsible for. By Emylie Howie, The Daily Record, 2nd March 2024 (PDF format).
NEW! Anne Whitty convicted recently of abusing children in Quarriers says “I was brought up in Quarrier's Village as a child, from the age of 11 months until I was 17”. Anne Whitty, 47, is a Community Parent who looks after kids from nine to 20 years of age. She too, decided as an adult that she would like to look after children who would otherwise be abandoned to a system where a roof is guaranteed but emotional support is not. Anne knows it reassures children in residential care to see the same face every day, rather than the one who happens to be on shift.She explains: “I was brought up in Quarrier's Village as a child, from the age of 11 months until I was 17. I had no contact with my parents. But I had a very special house-parent and was lucky that I had the same house-mother all the years I was here. Others weren't so fortunate”. Anne met her husband Ken, 50, through a Baptist Church in Glasgow. They were married within three years. In 1974, Anne applied for a job in Quarrier's Village as a house‐parent. In 1975, Ken, then an engineer at Rolls‐Royce, took voluntary redundancy and eventually become a housefather. Thirteen years and 14 kids later (foster, not their own) the Whitty's were both made redundant by the regional council. By Anvar Khan, The Herald and Times Archive, 29th March 1995 (PDF format).
Retired social worker, Euphemia Ramsay, 76, was last month found guilty of the cruel treatment of two children while she was employed at Quarriers Village following a trial at Greenock Sheriff Court. She was sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid community service for cruelty to children in 60s and 70s. This is the second time Ramsey has been found guilty of abusing children in her care at Quarriers Village. By Craig Williams, The Herald of Scotland, 11th September 2023 (PDF format).
Dear all, please find attached the recent Aftercare report submitted to the Redress Scotland scheme from the Quarriers Aftercare committee. (Click on the image.)
 Please note that Quarriers are not contributing to the Redress Scotland Scheme which Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers (FBGA) supports since it ensures that the Human Rights of all survivors of abuse previously in the care of Quarriers are fully upheld, including anyone who has a legally binding case as permitted under the current Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Act 2017. Dear all, FBGA have been engaging with Quarriers aftercare committee for sometime now since the aftercares committee inception in 2021 and have found this to be a very positive and worthwhile engagement. The Quarriers aftercare committee comprises of a number of survivors organisations such as FBGA, Future Pathways, Wellbeing Scotland, Birthlink and personnel from the Quarriers aftercare services and other former residents. The Quarriers after care committee led by Ron Culley Chief Executive of Quarriers Charity reports into the Quarriers Board of Trustees. Quarriers Charity have committed a significant sum of funding over a number of years to enhance the aftercare services going forward. The after care services are for All former residents of Quarriers who experience in the past care of the organisation were positive and negative the after care service is open to all former Quarriers residents. FBGA are fully supportive of Quarriers efforts to enhance the aftercare service and at the same time to effect further reconciliation for those former residents whose past experiences in Quarriers may not have been a positive experience. You can follow the link for further information on the Quarriers aftercare service and the minutes of the meetings Quarriers Aftercare, April 2023.
Ex-Quarriers worker accused of force‐feeding girl. By David Goodwin, Greenock Telegraph, 16th November 2022(PDF format).Abuse survivors criticize Scottish Government redress scheme amid a catalogue of delays and broken promises. STV News, 16th November 2022. Abuse Survivors turn their back on the Scottish Government Redress Compensation Scheme. By Martin Williams, the Herald, 16th November 2022. Child abuse survivors lose faith in the Scottish Government redress payment scheme. BBC Scotland News, 16th November 2022.
Scot repeatedly raped at boarding school ‘denied compensation’ for horrific abuse by Redress Scotland. By Jackie Grant, the Daily Record, 25th March 2022 (PDF format). The 62‐year‐old was one of the pupils targeted by sexual predators when St Joseph's College in Dumfries was run by the Marist Brothers between 1950 and 1981. A man who was repeatedly raped as a child at a Dumfries school has been told he's not entitled to compensation for the horrific abuse he suffered. The 62‐year‐old was one of the pupils targeted by sexual predators when St Joseph's College was run by the Marist Brothers between 1950 and 1981.A scheme to provide survivors of historical child abuse in Scottish schools and care homes with redress payments of up to £100,000 opened for applications in December. But Andrew, who lives in the region, has been barred from a payout because St Joseph's was a fee‐paying residential boarding school at the time. Online version here.
Dear all, the Interaction Action Plan Review Group (IAPRG) under the auspices of the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has completed most of its work and is coming to an end. The IAPRG group has written to John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minster, to inform the Scottish Government of its progress and outstanding matters.FBGA was one of the founding members of the IAPRG in 2012, as was Mr Harry Aitken, an Independent former resident of Quarriers. At various times since then other former Quarriers residents have also represented survivors and the survivor community. David Whelan and FBGA would like to extend a personal “Thank you” to Harry for all his support throughout many years of sometimes challenging and difficult discussions. Harry and David continued to raise important matters in the IAPRG that directly affected Quarriers former residents who suffered harm in the past and on behalf of others in the wider survivor community right up to the last meeting. Harry supported David and FBGA over many years including at parliamentary meetings and his support was invaluable. FBGA and David will always be indebted to Harry for all his support, guidance and advice over many years. We would also like to thank all the former residents of Quarriers and others who have lent their support over the years. Sadly many have passed away in the meantime. The letter to the Deputy First Minister from the IAPRG of the 11th March 2022 outlines the progress to date, outstanding matters and possible next steps (PDF format). Here is a direct link to the full letter on SHRC's website. FBGA have recently been invited to become members of the Cross Party Group (CPG) in the Scottish Parliament and so FBGA will continue to raise important matters on behalf of survivors and former residents going forward. The CPG will be focused as part of their agenda on the Redress Scotland redress scheme.
Fornethy House: Alleged abuse survivors protest outside Scottish Parliament over exclusion from compensation. By Amie Flett, the Courier, 3rd March 2022 (PDF format).Survivors who say they endured child abuse at an Angus residential school have protested outside the Scottish Parliament after being deemed exempt from compensation. Over the last two years around 200 women have come forward to say they endured historic child abuse while staying at Fornethy House between the 1960s and 80s. Online version here.
Fornethy survivors ask the Government to reconsider the exclusion of Fornethy in The Redress Scheme. It was apparently classed as a short term holiday, which 200 of the girls who were sent there strongly dispute.Fornethy survivors are the most valuable yet the most vulnerable group in society. At least 200 girls were sent to Fornethy Residential School from as young as 5 to 8 years old, they spent 6 weeks or more there at any given time. They were told they were going on a holiday, but most of the children suffered horrendous abuse at the hands of the staff who should have been looking after them. Abuse of a child is horrific regardless of any time frame and it should be treated fairly and equally within the Redress Scheme. This is not the case however (PDF format). Please help these survivors by signing the online petition here, 18th February 2022.
Man raped by monks gets £1.4m in "highest ever" damages award for Scots sex abuse survivor. The survivor, now 54, spoke of relief over payout following depraved abuse he suffered from trio of monks from the Christian Brothers sect. Kim Leslie, partner at Digby Brown, said: “We're not aware of any higher sums every being awarded to a survivor so this settlement is truly a landmark one ‐ not just for AB but for survivors everywhere as it shows legal actions offer recognition even when the criminal system can't.”
By Alan McEwen, the Scottish Daily Record, 15th February 2022 (PDF format). Online version here.
Justice for child abuse victims. Michael Alexander speaks to outspoken Fife child abuse survivor and campaigner Dave Sharp, who believes the Scottish Government must step‐up awareness of a compensation scheme for historic victims.
The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition) 15th January 2022 (PDF format).Child abuse survivors invited to apply for payouts up to £100,000. BBC Scotland News, 8th December 2021. Child abuse survivors targeted in residential care in Scotland can now apply for financial redress payments of up to £100,000. More than 700 advance payments have already been made to the terminally ill and those aged 68 or over. The scheme has now officially opened to all applicants. Those eligible or their next‐of‐kin can apply for a minimum redress payment of £10,000. It will be delivered by a new organisation named Redress Scotland. The Scottish government said the process has been shaped by the views of survivors.
“But we can provide acknowledgement and tangible recognition of the harm caused, by offering redress to survivors through this scheme.” Mr Swinney invited survivors to apply “if it is the right choice for them” and praised the contribution made by victims to developing the scheme. He said: “There is funding for independent legal advice to help survivors make that choice and support is available at every stage of the application process.”
Child abuse survivors in Scotland invited to claim financial redress of up to £100,000. By Chris McCall, the Daily Record, 8th December 2021 (PDF format). A controversial scheme to provide survivors of historical child abuse in Scottish care homes with financial redress has opened for applications. Those eligible can apply to request an apology and redress payments ranging from £10,000 up to £100,000. The process has been shaped by the views of survivors and will be delivered by the Scottish Government and Redress Scotland but has been plagued by criticism that it does not go far enough.Deputy First Minister John Swinney said all eligible survivors were invited to apply via a telephone helpline that will launch this week. But survivors of child abuse in Scottish institutions previously warned the £400 million earmarked for compensation won't be enough. They say the huge amount of victims means many will receive payments as low as £10,000 or £20,000 ‐ making it meaningless. The most likely number of survivors is currently estimated at 8000 but could be as high as 10,400 and half of those compensated are expected to receive just £10,000 or £20,000. Survivors believe the final figures should be higher if they are to provide meaningful redress. Online version here.
John Swinney apologises to abuse survivors for slow response as redress scheme opens. By David Bol, the Glasgow Herald, 8th December 2021 (PDF format). “There has been a strong survivor voice throughout the process of designing and developing the scheme and I want to thank all survivors who have contributed their time, commitment and insight. Their input has been crucial.”Saying sorry to survivors for a slow response to their concerns, Mr Swinney added: “We accept the steps taken by government to respond to survivors between 2002 and 2014, a period which spanned different administrations happened too slowly and did not go far enough. “During that period, a significant number of survivors of childhood abuse in kids in Scotland died. “Today, the Scottish Government apologises unreservedly, that it did not respond more appropriately and sooner to the concerns of survivors of abuse in care who called for a public inquiry. “We apologise to the families of those survivors who died before the inquiry began its work and before the redress scheme opened.”
FBGA response to The Moral Dilemma by Jamie Greene MSP who spoke in the media and the Scottish Parliament on the 8thDecember 2021 (PDF format). When members of the Scottish parliament such as Jamie Greene MSP start talking about the moral imperative and giving lectures on the moral imperative for institutions to do the right thing it is just sheer hypocrisy given Jamie Greene and others in his party voted that Survivors give up rights by signing a Waiver and the political parties collectively in Scotland did nothing for years and years.The moral imperative from the survivors point is that this should have been done many many years ago as John Swinney rightly acknowledged. The moral imperative would have been to address the survivor issues by all the political parties much much earlier whereby many survivors would have received full Justice and Redress in this lifetime as John Swinney acknowledged too. Many many survivors passed away including family members in the interim years and a good many others. The moral thing is to actually listen now (as John Swinney acknowledged in his statement) to what the survivors actually want including from a particular institution where they were abused in. A moral dilemma is not always solved by a financial solution as politicians such as Jamie Greene seem to think and imply and certainly not by giving away the rights of people. Its for the survivors to decide what is right for them including whether that be reconciliation with the institution they were in, no one else. Quarriers were in our view upholding the “Rights” of their survivors by this decision as those who wished to could still pursue Civil Cases as they were not required to sign away their rights by signing a Waiver!!! Please note: FBGA responded to Jamie Greene on his twitter account on the 8th December 2021 sadly Mr Jamie Greene MSP chooses to ignore our message. We also suggest Jamie Greene speak to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson before giving anyone lectures on morals!!!! Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers Homes (FBGA). Quarriers National Redress Scheme update, 8th December 2021. (See below for FBGA response.) Quarriers CEO Dr Ron Culley said: “It is with deep regret that we are unable to participate in the national Redress Scheme, as we had hoped and planned. We have worked productively with Scottish Government officials for the past eighteen months, but in the end our teams could not bridge the gap between what Quarriers could afford and the realistic minimum level of financial contribution that the Scottish Government could accept. “Our priority is the well‐being of the thousands of people that we support in communities right across Scotland. Independent analysis confirmed that the charity does not have the necessary assets or cash reserves to contribute £4 million without seriously impacting on the sustainability of the services that we provide. “It is important to point out that no one applying to the scheme will be negatively impacted financially due to Quarriers not being able to take part. “Quarriers remains committed to supporting former residents and will invest an additional £1 million in aftercare services over the next ten years. Close discussions with the survivor community will ensure these funds are directed towards appropriate support, and we will also continue to seek reconciliation with survivors of abuse.”
FBGA Press Statement in response to Quarriers National Redress Scheme update, 9thDecember 2021 (PDF format).The Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers Homes (FBGA) group, respects and fully supports Quarriers Board's decision, given Quarriers is unable to participate in the Redress Scotland Scheme due to the severe impact this financially would have on its sustainability, services now and going forward including its ability to provide vital care to the 5,000 vulnerable people that it currently supports. It is in no one's interest least of all any Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers Homes that Quarriers becomes unsustainable and cannot continue to deliver the quality services to the vulnerable service users that it does today and going forward to its former residents accessing the aftercare service. FBGA's campaign over many years for Support Services, Justice, a Judicial Inquiry and Redress for survivors who we represent has been achieved. It is important to note, that Quarriers decision will not affect whatsoever the Redress Scotland award payment level at all that any Quarriers survivors will receive through the Redress Scotland Scheme as the Scottish Government will pay this Redress Payment in full. Quarriers Board have committed £100,000 per annum over 10 years to its aftercare service which we more than welcome as it demonstrates Quarriers long term commitment and Corporate responsibility to support directly all its former residents in particular those who had negative experiences and were abused in the past institution by enhancing the after care service. Survivors and other former residents of Quarriers will be consulted to help design and improve the aftercare service going forward. FBGA believe that the time has come for Quarriers Charity to focus fully on directly supported services for its former residents via the enhanced aftercare service and help achieve Reconciliation with the Quarriers Charity while acknowledging its recent past. David Whelan (Spokesperson FBGA). Appendix added 9th December 2021: Quarriers by its decision is upholding the RIGHTS of its survivors to take civil action against the organisation and the State if that is what they wish today. When Survivors were asked, in a consultation in 2017, did they want contributions from institutions? there was no indication nor did the Scottish Government say that we would have to sign a Waiver giving away our Rights.
SNP Government ‘slams door’ in the face of child sex abuse survivors. Campaigner Dave Sharp hits out after his meeting was cancelled at the last
minute, saying the lack of urgency is “killing our survivors”. By Tasha Hall, Scottish Daily Express, 15th November 2021 (PDF format). Online version here.To commemorate its 150 year anniversary Quarriers Charity announced on the 15th November 2021 a community memorial initiative, which Quarriers Canadian Migrant group and the FBGA (Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers Homes) both fully support. Please also find a youTube video, also released on the 15th November 2021, of Anna Magnusson and Ron Culley, CEO of Quarriers, discussing William Quarrier and the story of Quarriers covering the generations over 150 years up to the present day anniversary.
Newsletter of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. Issue 10 ‐ Autumn 2021. Including information about the Inquiry's new premises, new address and contact details (PDF format).
Bosses protected senior social worker accused of serial sexual abuse. Victims condemn council for ignoring repeated reports about alleged abuser. By Peter Swindon, the Scottish Sunday Post, 24th September 2021 (PDF format).A network of supportive senior managers protected a social worker accused of sexual and physical abuse, an inquiry has found. Sean Bell's bosses at City of Edinburgh Council's children and families service even arranged a collection when he was signed off from his work with ill health while police investigated allegations. The 59‐year‐old was found dead at the foot of Salisbury Crags in Edinburgh in August 2020 while awaiting trial for sexual offences. His victims said the council was to blame for allowing Bell's abuse to continue unchecked. The investigation, led by QC Susanne Tanner, found Bell's abuse was verbal, physical and sexual. At least three witnesses were repeatedly sexually assaulted by Bell and the inquiry warned they were unlikely to be the only survivors. His behaviour was an open secret at the council, according to the report, and Bell exploited his senior position to discredit one victim. In a joint statement, provided to The Sunday Post, the three victims said: “We welcome the findings of this comprehensive investigation. It is a huge relief to finally be listened to and believed”. Glasgow council to pay £1.3m to man abused by foster carer. The Court of Session ruled the authority must initially pay the unnamed man £1,339,185. However, the final amount could be larger when interest is determined by the court at a later hearing. A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said the authority would “take the appropriate time to consider the judgment in full”. Judge Lord Brailsford said there was “no dispute” that the man had been “the victim of serious sexual abuse”. The court heard that the foster carer, who was not named in the court ruling, had previously been convicted of offences involving the man and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The man's lawyer, Laura Connor, said the ruling highlighted the need for abuse survivors to take legal advice before deciding on whether to accept money from the Scottish government's redress scheme. Ministers set up the Redress Scotland scheme after Holyrood passed legislation in March this year to make payments of up to £100,000 for those who suffered abuse while in care before December 2004. That scheme is scheduled to open to applications in December, but Ms Connor, head of the survivors department at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “The scheme will be right for some people, but not for all”. BBC News, 21st October 2021.
Scottish Government apologises ‘unreservedly’ over child abuse inquiry delay. Press Association, 29th September 2021 (PDF format). Lady Smith, chairwoman of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, said that between 2002 and 2014, there was “no appetite” within the Scottish Government, at official or ministerial level, for setting up a public inquiry.She said: “For far too long survivors' voices were not listened to, nor heard; they were treated as if their views did not matter and as if they were not worth listening to, just as when they were abused in care. The Scottish Government failed to grasp the fundamental importance that survivors appropriately and justifiably attached to their need for justice, accountability and redress. Justice is not a service, and those who call for it where it has been denied are not customers of a service that may or may not be available depending on the choice of the administration of the day. That key point was missed.” She said that officials and legal advisers wielded “significant power and influence” and that ministers relied heavily on their advice and generally followed their recommendations.
Shame on you. Fury at ministers and civil servants over 13‐year delay to historical abuse inquiry ++ Judge says victims DIED waiting for justice ++ Swinney in grovelling apology. By Graham Grant, Home Affairs Editor, the Scottish Daily Mail, 30th September 2021 (PDF format). SCARRED FOR LIFE ‘Justice denied’: Child victims ‘not listened to’ as adults.VICTIMS of historical child abuse died without getting justice after successive governments failed to order an inquiry, a High Court judge has said. Lady Smith, chairman of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, said survivors had first called for a statutory probe into the issue as far back as 2002. But due to ‘woeful and wholly avoidable’ delays and a lack of ‘appetite’ among ministers and officials, they had to wait until 2015 before one was launched. Yesterday, Deputy First Minister John Swinney apologised that the Scottish Government did not respond ‘more appropriately and sooner’ to the concerns of survivors. Last night, David Whelan, of the survivors' group Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers (FBGA), said ‘the conduct of Scottish civil servants over many years was shameful, demeaning and completely disrespectful in their engagement with many survivors of historical abuse’. He added: ‘Survivors have passed away in the meantime due to the past inactions of these Scottish civil servants and Scottish ministers. They should hang their heads in shame. The severe trauma and impact on survivors' lives and their families cannot be overstated.’ Lady Smith published her findings into why calls for an inquiry were resisted by ministers. Please follow this link for the full article online. The Scottish government has apologised “unreservedly” for what was described as a “woeful and wholly avoidable” 13‐year delay in setting up a public inquiry into child abuse. Lady Smith, who chairs the inquiry, had said the government “failed to grasp” the survivors' need for justice. They were treated as if their views were not worth listening to ‐ just like when they were in care, she added. The inquiry was finally set up by the Scottish government in 2015. Deputy First Minister John Swinney told a hearing last year that Alex Salmond had opposed the inquiry being set up while he was first minister. He said there had been a clear division in cabinet over the issue and the inquiry was only set up after Nicola Sturgeon succeeded Mr Salmond. Lady Smith said: “For far too long survivors' voices were not listened to, nor heard; they were treated as if their views did not matter and as if they were not worth listening to, just as when they were abused in care. “The Scottish government failed to grasp the fundamental importance that survivors appropriately and justifiably attached to their need for justice, accountability and redress. Justice is not a service, and those who call for it where it has been denied are not customers of a service that may or may not be available depending on the choice of the administration of the day. That key point was missed.” ‘Resisted calls’ She added: “Officials and legal advisors wielded significant power and influence. Ministers relied heavily on their advice and generally followed their recommendations. By following advice and by not questioning it when they should have done, key aims of the Daly petition were resisted for far too long.” Lady Smith heard evidence from witnesses including former First Minister Jack McConnell ‐ now Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale ‐ during hearings in November and December last year. He told the inquiry ministers were not trying to “cover things up” when they resisted calls for an inquiry. BBC Scotland 28th September 2021. Online copy here.
Scottish government fails to pay any money into a financial redress scheme for abuse survivors. The Morning Star, 24th September 2021 (PDF format). The Scottish government was criticised today for failing to pay any money into a compensation scheme for historic abuse survivors due to open this year…a freedom of information request by the PA news agency shows that no payments have yet been secured. The Scottish government has said it remains confident of opening applications by the end of this year, adding that negotiations with contributors are in “advanced” stages.But abuse survivor Dave Sharp has accused the Scottish government of only being interested in saving money, as he estimates the real cost of all survivors coming forward could exceed £500 million. He told the Morning Star: “We have had no indication of any movement within the redress scheme setting up anything that is going to give survivors the confidence to come forward.” Online copy here.
No money yet paid in to abuse victims' redress fund by Scottish Government. The Herald, 21st September 2021 (PDF format). No money has been paid into a financial redress scheme for abuse survivors, despite the Scottish Government claiming it will be ready to start by the end of the year. Online copy here.
House of Horrors bunglers have lost our files. Women plan protest over missing records. Abuse survivors blame council. By Gordon Blackstock, Sunday Mail, 29th August 2021 (PDF format).Abuse survivors at a girls' residential school have accused Scotland's biggest council of losing their records. More than 170 women have come forward in the last year to claim they were attacked both physically and sexually at Fornethy House, near Kilry, in Angus. Members of the group are planning a protest outside Glasgow City Council's headquarters next month. Thompsons Solicitors has launched a 130‐strong legal action against the local authority ‐ believed to be the largest case of its kind. Online copy here.
Anger at £10,000 payout plan for abuse survivors. Panel chair in line to earn £200k from inquiry. By Marcello Mega, Sunday Mail, 22nd August 2021 (PDF format).Survivors of child abuse in Scottish institutions have warned that £400million Government compensation won't be enough. They say the huge amount of victims means many will receive payments as low as £10,000 or £20,000 ‐ making it meaningless. One survivor, now in his 60s, said: “It will be remembered as a callous and ineffectual system if people who lost their entire childhood while in care, and are affected by it still, are told their lifetime of suffering is worth £20,000”. The chair is expected to work only six days a month for most of that time, yet that will take his earnings to over £200,000, more than twice the highest award for survivors. This has caused anger and survivors say the pay levels are “an insult” to them when their awards will be capped at £100,000. Dave Sharp, a survivor and campaigner on child abuse, said: “Six years into the inquiry, the Government appears not to know how many people will receive awards”.
Survivors in 3 year wait for abuse nuns compensation. By Graham Grant, Home Affairs Editor, the Scottish Daily Mail, 5th August 2021 (PDF format).A CATHOLIC order which admitted three years ago its nuns abused children has said ministers have not yet asked it to compensate survivors. The Sisters of Nazareth revealed its participation in a redress scheme to pay victims had ‘not yet been agreed’ and the Scottish Government had not asked for any cash. This is despite ministers claiming in April this year that financial contributions from bodies which admitted abuse were ‘being sought’. Re: FBGA Please note NOT ALL SURVIVORS wish for there to be contributions from institutions due to the fact that where a particular institution affected by historical abuse issues contribute to the Redress Scotland Scheme… SURVIVORS ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE UP THEIR “RIGHTs” by being made to sign a waiver preventing them from taking any further legal action to hold the STATE and the said institution fully accountable for the past systemic failures. Survivors should not have to sign a waiver as in Ireland this WAIVER was deemed unlawful in international courts and a breach of the survivors human rights. FBGA believe the previous consultation on contributions was seriously flawed and a form of manipulation and deception because it definitely did not link contributions to survivors signing away their rights and a waiver. Helen Holland of INCAS does not speak for the majority of Survivors on these issues, let's be clear about that, and does not represent FBGA either in these matters. David Whelan, FBGA.
Abuse survivors' fund gets new chief. The Glasgow Herald, 17th August 2021 (PDF format).
An Insult to the Brave Victims
Not only have they had to live for many years with the scars of violent assault or even rape committed while they were in the state's care, they have courageously relived their experiences, first to police and then before a panel appointed to investigate historic abuse cases. So, it seems unnecessarily cruel to expect victims to tell their stories yet again. Those victims who lodge compensation claims will have to appear before a panel set up to decide appropriate levels for each claimant. There is something rather dehumanising about a system that requires victims to appear in front of officials before being ranked on some kind of ‘trauma scale’. Survivors' stories are on the record and it should, therefore, be a perfectly simple process for the panel to allocate appropriate damages without the need for yet another series of traumatic interviews. Thanks to a handsome daily rate, those appointed to decide compensation stand to earn more than some victims will receive for life‐altering abuse. This cannot be right. The victims of abuse were failed by a system devoid of empathy. The least they deserve now is a little of the compassion they were denied. Everyone who shared his or her experience of abuse is entitled to compensation. The process by which this is awarded should not require them to relive another second of the trauma they have already suffered. SHAMING OF ABUSE PROBE FATCATS, read the full article here (PDF format) or online here.
Wealthy Scots businessman jailed for historical children's home abuse By Connor Gordon, Daily Record, 5th August 2021 (PDF format). A wealthy Scots businessman has been jailed for abuse at a children's home dating back 70 years. David Calderhead preyed on boys at Quarriers in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, where he was also living at the time, between 1951 and 1961. One victim was sexually assaulted and threatened with an axe. Daily Record online copy here. STV News online report here.
Child abuse inquiry costs soar amid row over fees. The cost of the Scottish child abuse inquiry has risen to more than £33,000 a day with the total approaching £50 million, it has emerged. By Marc Horne, The Times, 26th July 2021 (PDF format).Redress Panel members pay levels criticism by MSP Jamie Green and survivors. A panel led by Johnny Gwynne, a former deputy chief constable of Police Scotland, will assess what level of compensation each survivor of abuse will receive. It has emerged that Gwynne, a past director of the UK National Crime Agency, will be paid £560 a day, with the panel expected to sit for years. At least 12 members are being sought by Redress Scotland. They will earn £390 a day and although the posts are not full time their services may be required until 2027. Jamie Greene, the Scottish Conservative justice spokesman, claimed the payment levels were “inappropriate”. He said: “Child abuse survivors who have bravely come forward to tell their horrific stories should always be the top priority for this panel. It seems misguided and inappropriate that SNP ministers signed off a daily rate which, in some cases, might outweigh the compensation victims receive.” One survivor, now in his sixties, told The Mail on Sunday: “The chair and the majority, if not all panel members, will be public sector fat cats, already rich on excessive public pay and more than comfortable on their gold plated public pensions. It is an insult and a scandal.” “I was sexually abused by an SFA referee on the way home from a match. I was just 17 but they are denying me compensation.” By Marion Scott, The Sunday Post, 16th April 2021. “Kind words are just not enough. SFA must back up apologies with action” ‐ David Whelan Child abuse campaigner David Whelan said that as Scottish football's governing body, the SFA (Scottish Football Association)…“[has] a responsibility to take the lead [on this issue]. By not accepting liability, they leave victims feeling worthless and abused all over again…The SFA and clubs where abuse took place are no different from any of the organisations and institutions where children were abused in care and who found themselves at the centre of the child abuse inquiry. They should accept responsibility and liability, and do so quickly wherever possible without dragging victims through years of combative court actions. Martin Henry [Chair of the Independent Review of Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football] will know all of those things from his years of working with the church and abuse victims, so I'm surprised that message was not spelled out loud and clear in his report along with his words urging apology.”
Analysis: The Scottish redress Bill's waiver conundrum. By Pamela Kokoszka, The Insurance Post, 14th April 2021 (PDF format).‘Qualified one‐way costs shifting is expected to be implemented in Scotland on 30 June 2021. According to Frank Hughes, partner in law firm BLM's abuse and neglect team: “This will greatly diminish the prospect of a personal injury claimant being found liable in costs even if their litigated claim fails. This may support or encourage potential applicants to the redress scheme to seek a litigated solution without a redress application.” Hughes continued: “The litigation waiver will only operate in favour of the Scottish government and any ‘relevant scheme contributor’ listed by the Scottish government as making a ‘fair and meaningful’ contribution to the scheme. The waiver need only be signed if and when an applicant is accepting a redress payment. It is also worth noting that limitation has been retrospectively and prospectively abolished for Scottish personal injury claims arising from childhood abuse albeit that, still developing, defences of ‘fair hearing’ and ‘substantial prejudice’ remain. Again, the Scottish Parliament is likely to scrutinise the numbers of litigated claims and the numbers of redress applications at the 18-month post-implementation review.” ’ Online copy here.
The Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill 2021 as passed at Stage 3 by the Scottish Parliament. Online copy here (PDF format).
Scots abuse victims ‘abandoned’ by Scots Government after voting to keep ‘disgraceful’ cash‐for‐silence waiver, claims top lawyer. By Tara Fitzpatrick, the Daily Record, 12th March 2021 (PDF format). The bill will see victims waive their rights to any legal action in exchange for a compensation payment. Online copy here.Scottish Government news item, Redress for Survivors, 11th March 2021. The scheme will be open for applications as soon as possible and before the end of 2021. The recruitment of key appointments, including advertising the post of Chair of Redress Scotland, will begin later this month. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I am pleased that Parliament has passed a Bill that will establish a survivor‐focused route to redress. It has been a long and difficult journey for survivors of historical abuse in care, who have campaigned with dignity and dedication for this law. Scotland's redress scheme is an important part of our response to survivors and to this dark chapter of our nation’s past. “As a society, we are still coming to terms with the scale and horror of the abuse and the impact it had. Those responsible for the harms of the past have a responsibility to do the right thing today. “This Bill is for survivors. Their courage, determination and perseverance has made a difference and will ensure others never have to experience the horrors they went through.” For the full news article follow this link.
Abuse survivor compensation scheme passed by MSPs. PA Media, 11th March 2021 (PDF format). The Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill will create Redress Scotland, a new body designed to administer the payments of up to £100,000 for survivors. MSPs voted unanimously to pass the Bill into law. The scheme has, however, been criticised over its use of a waiver for those who receive a payment, meaning they are barred from taking legal action against organisations they allege abused them. Some survivors have even described the waiver as a “betrayal” but deputy first minister John Swinney says the waiver is the only way to make sure organisations where abuse took place will pay into the scheme.
Official Report of Scottish Parliament proceedings, Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3, 11th March 2021 (PDF format). After a robust debate the Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament. The proceedings can be watched on the Scottish Parliament TV channel here but please note the TV coverage is approximately 5 hours long.
Scottish abuse survivors should ‘not be forced to sacrifice legal rights’. Abuse survivors in Scotland must not be forced to sacrifice their legal rights to protect the very organisations which allowed abuse to take place in the past, lawyers have warned. By Jane Bradley, the Scotsman, 10th March 2021 (PDF format).
Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill, Stage 3 Amendments, 4th March 2021 (PDF format).
Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill, Stage 3 Amendments, 3rd March 2021 (PDF format).
Future Pathways Quarterly Report: Q3 October-December 2020 (PDF format).
Dear all, please find attached the submission at Stage 2 by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to the Education and Skills committee.COSLA has sought to simply avoid their collective and individual accountability for the past systemic failures of the local authorities regarding regulation and oversight of the previous in care residential institutions/establishments, and to avoid their liability for such systemic failures. COSLA also seeks to continue to protect the so‐called professional social workers and others who were employed by previous local authorities in the past. Such social workers and others were in part responsible for the overall systemic failures of the Scottish care system in the past. Individual social workers and local authorities as representatives of the State utterly failed, even at a basic level, to ensure that children placed by them in care in the past Scottish care system were safe and protected. We also note that local authorities in Scotland receive their funding from central government, in this case the Scottish Government, who also are protected by the imposition of a Wavier and it will not hold the Scottish Government (State) or local authorities accountable or liable for past failures. So any contributions to the Redress Scotland legislation from local authorities will in effect not be coming from them as claimed by the Scottish Government but via the Scottish Government who funds them. It is simply disingenuous to claim otherwise (End FBGA) (PDF format). Online copy here.
Here is the Second Marshalled list of amendments at Stage 2 of the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill being proposed by MSPs and to be debated on the 17th February 2021 by Education and Skills committee members.The Bill will be considered in the following order ‐ Sections 1 to 5, Sections 6 to 94, Sections 95 to 101, Schedule 1, Schedule 2, Long Title. Amendments marked ★ are new (including manuscript amendments) or have been altered (PDF format). Online copy here.
Dear all, please find attached the latest FBGA submission to the Education and Skills committee. FBGA continue to liaise with other parties and survivor groups, including Wellbeing Scotland, and others such the Scottish Parliamentarians on the major issues directly affecting Scottish victims-survivors of historical abuse to help improve the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill 2021 for all victims-survivors who had negative experiences in the past in-care residential institutions/establishments. 1st February 2021 (PDF format).Please note that additional Stage 2 amendments will be debated at the Education and Skills virtual committee meeting commencing at 8.30 am on the 17th February and can be watched live on the Scottish Parliament TV channel.
FBGA have received an amendments summary to the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill debate from Scottish Government official Claire Soper by email via the Interaction Review Group on the 11th February 2021 (PDF format). Html copy here.
Historic abuse survivors' anger over waiver on legal bids.Survivors who want government compensation are being asked to sign the waiver, which would stop them taking legal action against their abusers. David Whelan, 62, who was abused while being looked after as a child at Quarriers Children's Village in Renfrewshire, said: “Survivors across Scotland are outraged that, after engaging for years with the Scottish Government, at the last minute, after expecting them to keep their word on the important commitments they made to us, we have instead been betrayed and hung out to dry.” The Sunday Post, 14th February 2021 (PDF format). Online copy here.
Official Report of the Scottish Parliament Education and Skills Committee, 10th February 2021 (PDF format). Scottish Parliament TV recording of the Scottish Parliament Education and Skills Committee, 10th February 2021.
Dear all, please follow the link to a submission by the Scottish Human Rights Commission to the Education and Skills Committee. Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill ‐ Stage 2 submission ‐ Waiver. 8th February 2021 (PDF format).The Scottish Human Rights Commission was established by the Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act 2006, and formed in 2008. The Commission is the National Human Rights Institution for Scotland and is independent of the Scottish Government and Parliament in the exercise of its functions. The Commission has a general duty to promote human rights and a series of specific powers to protect human rights for everyone in Scotland.
Dear all, FBGA statement regarding the Lambeth Redress Scheme, 4th Febuary 2021. FBGA highlighted that the Lambeth Model was excellent at the Educational and Skills Committee hearing on the 27th January 2021. We want to clarify that this related to the costs of the Lambeth model since a high majority of costs went into awards: 83% to applicants, council legal fees were 7% and applicants legal fees were 10%.We recognize that, while the Lambeth redress scheme is not perfect, many elements in the model are cost effective, and survivor centered and informed. It also puts excellent systems in place for external oversight of its regulatory and governing functions and redress processes. In addition FBGA recognizes that Lambeth has a wavier in its Redress Scheme (which FBGA do not support in any Scottish Redress Scheme for the reasons previously provided to the Committee). Our understanding is that this waiver was due to the very high and significant numbers of children claiming abuse relating to one council, which affected this one council (Lambeth) who ran a number of care homes previously, and very high numbers (in the 1000s) of former residents claiming and alleging abuse in civil cases potentially would have effectively bankrupted Lambeth Council. Please note 2.16 in the Lambeth report: It is important to point out that…applicants are not expected to prove their case because the Council has accepted liability in terms of the abuse they were subjected to… Awards in the Lambeth Redress Scheme go from £10,000 to £125,000, with additional awards above £125,000 in a number of cases in the scheme negotiated amicably by the parties from the civil cases route. See attached the latest Lambeth Redress Scheme report. Lambeth Council, 16th September 2019 (PDF format).
Lambeth historic abuse: Children's home redress scheme deadline extended by two years. ‘While the abuse stopped, the effects have stayed with me’. A compensation scheme for victims of historic abuse in Lambeth Council's children's homes has been extended by two years to enable more survivors to come forward. [In October 2019] Lambeth Council's cabinet approved the decision to extend the Lambeth Redress Scheme deadline for claims to 2022 - rather than closing on January 1, 2020.Hundreds are believed to have been abused and neglected while growing up in the authority's network of children's homes, open from the 1930s to early 1990s. The Redress Scheme, launched in January 2018, is expected to cost the council £100 million in total. The scheme involves a harm's way payment of up to £10,000 for those who feared neglect or abuse, and separate payments of up to £125,000 for neglect and abuse survivors, made on a case-by-case basis. Selection of quotes from the article: ‘…the council has faced criticism for how long it has taken for payments to be made, with at least one high-profile lawyer saying the final compensation offered has been far less than initially promised. Solicitors' firm Irwin Mitchell has secured three settlements for clients totalling more than £290,000. Its legal team currently represents around 50 victims.’ ‘After being placed in a Shirley Oaks care home, [a victim] says she was sexually, racially and physically abused, and witnessed staff bullying other children. Now in her 50s, she received £122,000 of compensation.’ ‘Another male victim, who was separated from his siblings in care and says he was sexually abused by a female staff member in Shirley Oaks, described the impact of the abuse he suffered throughout the 50s and 60s. Now in his 60s, he received a settlement of £155,000.’ By Katherine Johnston, Southwark News, 7th November 2019 (PDF format). Online copy here.
Scots child abuse charity warns loophole prevents survivors claiming compo. SAFE - Seek And Find Everyone - claims a loophole is preventing Scots' victims claiming government compensation for abuse they suffered as children. Scotland's leading child abuse campaigner Dave Sharp, who runs the charity, says dozens of survivors are being put off applying for thousands from the government's much vaunted Redress Scheme. They have all been asked to provide records of their time in care and proof they were abused. But for many, this is an impossible task as many records have been destroyed and allegations were never investigated. Mr Sharp told us: “There's a distinct lack of information for survivors seeking access to their records”. By James Moncur, Daily Record, 1st February 2021 (PDF format). Online copy here.Please note the Redress Scotland Scheme is not operational yet. The advance payments scheme is open if you meet the evidential criteria and qualify on age criteria or Ill health grounds.
CAPS Independent Advocacy Future Pathways consultation, February - July 2021 (PDF format). Html copy here.
Educational and Skills Committee draft report on the hearings of the 27th January 2021 at which FBGA, Wellbeing Scotland and Incas gave oral evidence (PDF format). Scottish Government website copy here. The report starts at page 14 for this particular evidential hearing.Dear all, please note that FBGA were provided with the incorrect start time for this committee meeting. We have addressed this unfortunate mix‐up with the committee convenor Claire Adamson and have accepted her apology. Link to the Scottish Parliament TV recording of the hearing. Due to the communication error mentioned above the committee meeting had already started when FBGA arrived, and so David Whelan appears approximately 10 minutes after the meeting commenced and Harry Aitken some time after that.
Survivors of child abuse still feel a waiver built into a new bill to compensate them is a “betrayal”, a campaigner has said. Wellbeing Scotland chief executive Janine Rennie said survivors remain angry. “They still feel that the waiver has been a betrayal of everything they've been through,” she said. The Press Association, 27th Janaury 2021 (PDF format).
Dear all, please find attached a Clinical paper commissioned by FBGA in response to the Scottish Government draft assessment paper, which has been submitted to the Education and Skills committee. FBGA would like to extend our thanks to the two clinical professionals by lived experiences who have compiled this paper on our behalf. This clinical assessment paper recognises the unique individual victim-survivor experiences. While being victim-survivor centred and victim-survivor trauma informed linked into payment levels in any proposed payments level redress Scotland scheme (PDF format).
Dear all, FBGA and other survivors group are remotely meeting with the Education and Skills committee on Wednesday morning 27th January 2021. Please follow this link, on the day, to Scottish Parliament TV where you can access the meeting. Please also find attached PDF and HTML versions of a document that FBGA have submitted to committee. Here are some of the key points from the submission.VICTIM-SURVIVOR FORUM FBGA recommend that this VICTIM-SURVIVOR FORUM is embedded in secondary legislation and should be formally recognized in the BILL. Victims-Survivors should not merely be considered to be playing a consultancy bystander role. Eligibility for the Redress Scotland Scheme That the eligibility criteria is widened and made more inclusive and available to ALL victims-survivors who feel they were harmed or wronged in residential and institutional establishments. That where there was a clear failure of State and others duty of care, regulation, inspection and oversight of these organisations. Clinical Assessment Paper Commission by FBGA by “Experts” with lived experience The FBGA have commissioned a clinical “Experts”, by experience, assessment paper. This paper was submitted to the committee on 18th January 2021. With regards the Scottish Government draft assessment paper, our clinical professionals experts, by lived experience, have identified significant serious gaps in it. Individualized assessments should link into payment levels (refer to the clinical paper commission by FBGA submitted to the committee). Evidential thresholds; the Standard and Burden of Proof FBGA believe that the standard of proof must be grounded in law, and be on the face of the BILL in primary legislation. Standard of Proof being used has to be publically available and must retain the confidence of the victims-survivors and the general public. FBGA note that whilst the Redress scheme is designed to have lower evidential requirements than Civil Litigation, these Redress evidential levels are required to be robust and credible, to prevent fraud and support genuine applications. We note, Point 88 in the committee summary, quote “the Cabinet Secretary's John Swinney's suggestion that the Burden of Proof required for the redress scheme will be ‘significantly lower’ than the standard of proof in a civil case”. The Proposed Wavier and Legal Challenges Any Wavier introduced, would allow the Scottish Government and others, to escape accountability, in cases relating to them. We agree with the committee's recommendation that this Waiver is removed. In addition the Redress Scotland Waiver's domestic or European Human Rights Commission (ECHR) legality has in fact not been tested, to-date, in law. Therefore it is only a short matter of time, before victims-survivors in Scotland do go to the ECHR and international bodies, and the waiver is found unenforceable anyway. The Scottish Government may continue to argue that a waiver was used in other jurisdictions where we understand it has not been challenged legally. Having had advice from those involved in the Irish Waiver case, in a jurisdiction where the imposition of a Waiver has been challenged in an Irish victim-survivor case it was found and deemed to be unlawful in International law. Unfortunately, however, FBGA do envisage and anticipate that a Scottish victim-survivor(s) legal case will be taken up in the future if such a Wavier is introduced into the Redress Scotland Bill. Insurers Mr John Swinney, the Cabinet Secretary, quote, “believes that that the Waiver would mean insurers would support organisations to make contributions if they are assured there is no chance of future litigation”. Unfortunately there is no concrete factual evidence provided to this committee to-date to support that assertion. The evidence the committee heard from Iain Gray, MSP showed that insurers would not stand behind organisations in making contributions. Others such as Mr Greene MSP and Ross Greer MSP had similar negative comments on this Wavier issue and referred to this in committee and in the Scottish Parliament debate. We agree fully with the MSPs comments based on our conversations with a provider who has given evidence to this committee. The insurers to-date have showed no willingness to make any limited financial contributions nor at the huge levels the Scottish Government officials are seeking. We are reliably informed by the evidence presented to the committee that insurers have not shown a willingness to be part of the Redress Scotland Scheme whatsoever to-date, including with regards any financial commitment including at the levels envisage. Which as the providers have pointed out in there evidence to the committee are clearly unaffordable and will have a detrimental impact on the sustainability of their vulnerable children and adults services and organisations. Voluntary Contributions effecting Reconciliation and Sustainability of Care Providers FBGA support the institutions and the committee's approach and recommendation which is that principles are amended to be fair, meaningful, affordable and sustainable and appear on the face of the Bill. We expect the formula for contributions is made publically available, as are the contributions amounts and organisations listed, victim-survivors have full unfettered access to the all the data and information relating to contributions to the Redress Scheme. We believe the inclusion of the Wavier is not the best way to seek reconciliation or voluntary contributions from a wide range of stakeholders, or to effect reconciliation for victims-survivors. Payment levels and structure linked to a unique individualized assessment We still do not understand how the Scottish Government arrived at the formulae used to calculate the payments proposed in the Bill, and we expect these formulae to be publicly available. We want the panel members to have the independent and impartial, explicit lawful, discretion to determine all cases regardless of circumstances. We believe this should be on the face of the Bill. Accepting a Redress Payment or applicants to choose between accepting a Redress payment and a Civil Court Action. Access to Justice The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC), we understand, does not believe “applicants to choose between accepting a Redress payment and a Civil Court Action” is best practice. SHRC consultation response 2019. The Scheme should allow victims-survivors access to a range of avenues open to them without having to choose one or another. The Scottish Civil Court process has the ability to take into account any previous financial award from the redress scheme just as it does with criminal injuries awards when awarding damages in any future civil action. International studies have shown that where victims-survivors have full rights, remedies and access to justice and choice in a fair and reasonable Redress Scheme, they are unlikely to continue to pursue other legal avenues including Civil cases for a variety of reasons. :END:
MSPs back care abuse survivors calling for changes in compensation scheme. David Whelan, 62, who represents hundreds of children who suffered abuse at Quarriers Children's Village at Bridge of Weir, said: “Asking us to give up one of the only things we have, our rights, is unacceptable. The introduction of a waiver was a nasty surprise for all of us.”Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said that if the Scottish Government did not amend the provision, his party would. “The waiver compromises the integrity of the Bill,” he said. “It must go.” Mr Swinney told MSPs that he believes the waiver would mean insurers would support organisations to make contributions to the Bill, if they are assured there is no chance of future litigation. By Marion Scott, the Scottish Sunday Post, 20th December 2020 (PDF format). Online copy here.
Child abuse compensation scheme waiver must be scrapped, MSPS demand. MSPS have pushed for the removal from new legislation of a waiver which would stop abuse survivors seeking legal action against their abusers. However as the bill stands, victims would be forced to waive their rights to future legal action in order to receive the payment.Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said that if the Scottish Government does not amend the provision, his party will. “I want to be really clear, the waiver compromises the integrity of the bill,” he said. “It can't stand, it must go. This is not a party political position, indeed I think it's shared across the Parliament.” Mr Gray said the waiver would not work as an incentive for organisations to contribute to the scheme. Jamie Greene, the Tory education spokesman and member of the committee, said: “Nobody, absolutely nobody, had anything positive to say about the waiver, that in itself should serve as a warning to us.” and added that the waiver could discourage survivors from coming forward, or some could decide to take the money if they were in financial distress. The Herald 18th December 2020 (PDF format).
Official Report of the meeting of the Scottish Parliament, 17th December 2020 (PDF format). Scottish Parliament TV recording of the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill debate, 17th December 2020.
The Scottish Parliament Education and Skills Committee Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill ‐ Stage 1 Report, 9th December 2020. On page 105 under the heading ‘Overall Conclusions on the General Principles of the Bill’, item 638 of the report states: “The Committee welcomes the general principles of the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill and in particular its commitment to ensuring effective redress and remedy to abuse victims/survivors.” Online copy here (PDF format).
Dear all, please find attached Dr Maeve O'Rourke's letter to the Education and Skills Committee of 1st October 2020. FBGA have highlighted some of the factual extracts of this letter and from correspondence FBGA had directly with Dr O'Rourke on the matter of the WAIVER.The Waiver would have severe consequences and a detrimental negative impact on victims-survivors if this is introduced by the Scottish Government into the Redress Scheme. The experience and circumstances of those abused in Ireland and whereby a Waiver was in use which is based on the facts of the experiences of former persons who suffered institutional abuse in Ireland and the actions thereafter by the Irish State.
Abuse victims claim no‐sue string tied to payments breaches human rights law. They say demanding victims sign waivers removing their right to take legal action against those responsible is “shameful”.Campaigner David Whelan, who represents hundreds cared for at Quarriers, said: “For the Scottish Government to now even consider imposing a legal waiver on victims who suffered that level of abuse, taking away their right to sue in return for what, in many cases, is a rather paltry sum of money, is shameful. They must reconsider.” Maeve O'Rourke of the Irish Centre for Human Rights said survivors of torture and ill‐treatment have an absolute right under international human rights law to obtain individualised accountability and redress. She said: “Scotland has the opportunity to use this redress scheme to support survivors who wish to pursue litigation by contributing to these individuals' psychological and financial security in the short term. Instead of providing for a waiver of rights as a condition of receiving a limited payment from Redress Scotland, the Bill could direct the courts to reduce any future damages award by the amount already paid by the relevant defendant under the scheme. This approach would recognise the human right of survivors of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment to accountability for such abuse, and to compensation commensurate with the gravity of the harm suffered.” By Marion Scott, Scottish Sunday Post, 6th December 2020 (PDF format). Online copy here. Scottish child abuse inquiry: Scottish Government was guided by ‘regrettable paternalism’. The Scottish Government was guided by a “regrettable degree of paternalism” towards child abuse survivors when deciding against establishing an inquiry, it has been heard. Closing submissions were being given to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry in Edinburgh on Friday, which examined ministers' actions surrounding the issue between 2002 and 2014. It was heard officials believed they knew what was better for survivors than campaigners who had been calling for an inquiry – which had been done consistently until a decision was made under Nicola Sturgeon in 2014. Christine O'Neill QC, representing Scottish Ministers, said: “There are a number of reasons why the government did not effectively listen. They had an approach to policymaking that didn't seek out the view of survivors of abuse. More fundamentally, Scottish Government engagement was informed by an attitude of paternalism – and an assumption that the needs of survivors would be better met by measures which were therapeutic.” Stuart Gale QC, for survivors group FBGA, added: “The officials are saying ‘we know what's best for you’.” “One could look at it as a regrettable degree of paternalism,” said chairwoman of the inquiry judge Lady Smith. The Herald, 4th December 2020 .
Kenny MacAskill: Alex Salmond did not block child abuse inquiry. Scotland's former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has rejected claims he and Alex Salmond did not support an inquiry into the historical abuse of children in care when in government. By Gina Davidson, The Scotsman, 3rd December 2020 (PDF format).
CAPS Independent Advocacy Future Pathways Consultation. CAPS Independent Advocacy have been asked to gather people's views on Future Pathways and wider support services. Come along to one of these ‘getting to know us’ meetings with Eli and Victoria to find out more about the consultation and the opportunity to have YOUR say in YOUR way and the chance to influence future services provision for survivors. Meetings will take place online:Tuesday 8th December - 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Thursday 10th December - 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM If you have any questions, would like to chat or want to register to come along to one of the introductory events, please get in contact with Ele on 07948 740 158 or ele@capsadvocacy.org. CAPS is an independent advocacy organisation. This means that it:
don't provide any other service and their only agenda is to help you have your voice heard and give you a louder voice in situations that affect you. Collective advocacy is about groups of individuals with a common interest who come together to raise awareness, campaign and influenced service planning and provision. This consultation is not related to the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill. CAPS will feedback information from this consultation anonymously, including everyone's point of view. We will not generalise interpret or make assumptions (PDF format).
Sex abuse probe ‘too costly’ said ministers. A probe into widespread child abuse in Scotland was delayed because ‘the money wasn't there’ during the financial crisis of 2008, an inquiry was told. Jean MacLellan, a former divisional head and deputy director of the Adult Care and Support Division at the Scottish Government, told the inquiry in Edinburgh: “It was 2008 when there was a financial collapse. The money wasn't there. In any discussions with ministers, we were asked about costs. I think the concern would be to try to move on with something that was practical and feasible.” By Joe Hutchison, Scottish Daily Mail, 27th November 2020 (PDF format).
Alex Salmond ‘was opposed to child abuse inquiry’. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has heard that then‐first minister Alex Salmond and other senior Scottish government figures were against it being set up. Deputy First Minister John Swinney told the inquiry there had been clear division over the issue. He said an inquiry was only authorised “after the change of first minister had taken place”. Mr Swinney also said the cost of an inquiry would not have been a deterrent, saying: “I've seen a lot of traffic about money in the papers and I was finance minister for nine years, so I controlled that money. Ironically, in the period after 2007, the financial issues were a lot less than in early 2014.” He added: “When I came to office in 2007, I was pleasantly surprised there was £1.6bn in an account in the Treasury that hadn't been spent.” BBC News, 27th November 2020 (PDF format). Online copy here.
Ministers tried to do ‘right things’for abuse survivors. Ministers were not trying to “cover things up” when they resisted calls for an inquiry into abuse of children in care, a former first minister has said. Jack McConnell was first minister between 2001 to 2007. BBC News, 20th November 2020 (PDF format). Online copy here.
Scottish ministers led to believe child sex abuse not ‘systemic failure’. A former MSP has said government ministers were led to believe the sexual abuse of children in care was not a systemic failure and therefore did not justify a public inquiry. Ministers were told in a memo from senior civil servant Colin MacLean in May 2003:“The pressure for the [Scottish] Executive to act has not been intense. Aside from the [Daly] petition and two stories in The Sunday Mail, there has not been widespread Parliament or public interest. Noticeably, cross‐party interest hasn't been taken up and The Sunday Mail received less than 20 responses to a request for stories...The criminal convictions have been isolated and there is no evidence emerged of widespread abuse. It would therefore be feasible to do nothing. We do not recommend a full inquiry as allegations are not substantial enough to justify.” By Emma O'Neill, The Scotsman, 18th November 2020 (PDF format).
Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry: Government ministers believed abuse was down to ‘rogue individuals’. A former MSP has said government ministers were led to believe the sexual abuse of children in care was not a systemic failure and therefore did not justify a public inquiry.Peter Peacock, who served as Education Minister from 2003 to 2006 and was an MSP from 1999 to 2011, gave evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry on Wednesday. Judge Lady Smith, who is hearing the inquiry, noted that when the ministers decided against having an inquiry, some criminal convictions for abuse had already been taking place and up to 300 more cases were then being investigated. Lady Smith asked: “There were 300 cases, convictions taking place – how many more did you need to think there was enough weight for an inquiry?” Mr Peacock replied: “These are matters of judgment. On balance, we felt it didn’t warrant a public inquiry. But that was our view – other people might judge differently.” Caitlin Hutchison, Herald Scotland, 18th November 2020 (PDF format).
Child abuse inquiry may have ‘stalled for financial and legal reasons’. The Press Association, 17th November 2020 (PDF format). Online copy here.
John Swinney urged to axe rule for abuse survivors to sign waiver to get payout. By Kathleen Nutt, the National, Scotland, 15th November 2020 (PDF format). John Swinney is under pressure to drop a controversial clause in a government bill requiring survivors of abuse in children's homes to sign a waiver giving up their right to take civil action against the institution where they suffered before they can receive financial compensation. Online copy here.
Dear all, Please find attached the Education and Skills Committee Agenda and Spice paper, 25th Meeting (Session 5) Wednesday 4th November 2020 and here the official report of the meeting. In addition here is the link to a video of the committee meeting. The Committee took evidence on the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 from Viv Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer, Social Care Council, Church of Scotland; Derek Yule, Advisor, Local Government Finance, COSLA; Dr Judith Turbyne, Senior Manager, Policy and Improvement, OSCR; Dr Ron Culley, Chief Executive Officer, Quarriers; and then from John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Scottish Government. Online copy here (PDF format).
Abuse survivors' rights could be undermined by compensation process, MSPs told. Survivors groups railed against the policy at an evidence session held by the Education and Skills Committee on Wednesday, saying it erodes the rights of those who suffered abuse.Harry Aitken, of the Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers Homes group, said: “It's not acceptable that any government should demand that a survivor or a citizen should sign away their rights. In fact, it should be the duty, the obligation of a government that they protect citizens' rights.” David Whelan, who also represents those abused at Quarriers, said: “I think you're taking away choice. I think you’re taking away a right and that right is choice. It shouldn't be one or the other.” Mr Whelan advocated an “offsetting” system, in which any settlement given through Redress Scotland – the body which the Bill would create to deal with claims – would be deducted from a subsequent civil action. By Dominic Lipinski for the Press Association, 28th October 2020 (PDF format). Rights of Abuse survivors in Scotland could be undermined by compensation process MSPs told. By Conor Riordan for the Press Association, 29th October 2020.
Dear all, Please find attached the Education and Skills Committee papers for the 28th October 2020, and here the official report of the meeting (PDF format). In addition here is the link to a video of the committee meeting. The Committee took evidence on the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 from the following representatives who participated in the hearing: David Whelan and Harry Aitken (Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers Homes), Flora Henderson (Future Pathways) and Helen Holland and Simon Collins (In Care Survivors Service Scotland - INCAS). In addition the committee members spoke privately to a number of other former Quarriers residents prior to the meeting. FBGA would like to thank everyone who took part in the private and public sessions and especially those former Quarriers residents who took part in the private sessions.
Please follow the link to FBGA's full combined submission dated August and September 2020 to the Education and Skills Committee regarding the proposed Redress Scotland Bill at stage one of the Committee's scrutiny process.Currently FBGA cannot support the proposed waiver having envisaged how it will operate in practice. A number of other organisations have also addressed serious concerns regarding the proposed waiver to the Committee. FBGA are supporting offsetting as proposed by the Scottish Human Rights Commission. Offsetting would mean that victims-survivors could still access both the Redress Scheme and the civil litigation proceedings, and retain the choice to offset any award received from Redress Scotland against any award in the civil proceeding or vice versa. This is what happens with Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) awards which have to be repaid if an award is made in civil proceedings. If, and only if, there has to be a legal process relating to signing a document or an application form then FBGA propose that victims-survivors only do this after they have had full legal advice at the end of the process, and once they are satisfied with the legal advice, and the award being proposed is acceptable to them. This would include the signing of any legal document (form section) including if it was part of an application form. FBGA have also put forward an alternative, which is a discharge summary for discussion, see within the FBGA submission document, on the basis that there may or if there has to be a legal document signed. FBGA are suggesting something akin to the same process that applies in civil proceedings at the end and only once the victim-survivor has accepted an award following legal advice from their solicitors. FBGA are advising all former Quarriers residents who may wish to make an application in the future to Redress Scotland to seek full legal advice as being proposed in the Bill and provided for including at the start of your application process to help you make a fully informed decision. FBGA can also confirm that we are proposing that Redress is viewed as a reconciliation process with Quarriers. August 2020. (PDF format). Paying the price of child migration by Graham Watson of Clyde and Co, Quarriers insurers solicitors. Claims Media, 07/05/20. Dear all, the Scottish Government has publishing notes and information relating to key aspects of the proposed Redress Scotland scheme legislation, updated on 1st September 2020. Here is the link to the information notes. Each note should have all the relevant links to allow former residents of Quarriers Homes and others to stay fully informed. Any questions or queries that former residents of Quarriers abused in care wish the group to raise please email fbga1@aol.com or refer to the frequently asked questions section of the Scottish Governments website.
Dear former Quarriers residents, on the 13th August the Scottish Government introduced the Redress Scotland legislation to the Scottish Parliament, which the Education and Skills committee is dealing with as part of its scrutinising role. Just to confirm, on 27th August 2020, following feedback and amendments from a number of former Quarriers residents and others, FBGA have submitted written evidence to the Education and Skills Committee. There are a number areas of legitimate concern which FBGA are in the process of trying to address in the submission and in our discussions with other parties. We as a group are seeking further clarification on a number of aspects of the proposed Redress Scotland legislation. In principle we welcome and support the introduction of the legislation and will continue to engage with all the parties to help ensure we have a fair and reasonable Redress Scotland scheme for everyone regardless.
Payouts for survivors of abuse in care in Scotland by Lucinda Cameron, the Times, 15th August 2020. Online version here (PDF format).
Scotland's Redress Scheme for Survivors of Historical Child Abuse in Care. Statement and report by John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to the Scottish Parliament, 19th August 2020 (PDF format).Opening quote: “On Thursday last week, the Scottish Government introduced the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill to Parliament. “The bill is a result of the brave and tireless advocacy of survivors of historical child abuse in care, and a reflection of the Government's unrelenting commitment to properly address what they have experienced. It delivers on many of the recommendations that were previously made by the interaction action plan review group, whose continued work has helped to inform key aspects of the draft legislation. I thank the members of the review group and all the other survivors who have campaigned with such dedication and contributed in such a whole‐hearted way to our approach. “The bill seeks to establish a financial redress scheme for those who were abused as children while residing in an eligible care setting in Scotland, in cases where that abuse took place before 1 December 2004. “Under our proposals, all survivors will have the opportunity to apply for a redress payment of up to £80,000. However, we recognise that survivors value having a choice, so, building on the results of previous consultation, the scheme adopts a combination payment approach. That means that survivors can choose to apply for a fixed‐rate redress payment of £10,000 or an individually assessed redress payment, which involves a more detailed examination of the facts and circumstances of their experience.” Online version here. Scottish Human Rights Commission. Historic Child Abuse: Action Plan and Accountability. Many people in Scotland are still suffering from the impact of abuse they suffered in the past. The Commission has been working since 2009 to promote effective access to justice and remedies for survivors of historic child abuse. Follow the link for SHRC projects, programmes and an action plan on justice and remedies.
Historic child abuse survivors could receive up to £80,000. The Scottish Government said the Redress for Survivors Bill will be non-adversarial and sensitive to the needs of survivors. By Jenness Mitchel Scottish TV News, 14th August 2020. Online version here.Survivors of historical child abuse in residential care settings could get up to £80,000 in compensation under a proposed new law. The Scottish Government said the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill will seek to provide “tangible recognition” of the harm caused to those who were abused as children before December 1st, 2004. The Bill will set up a new independent body, Redress Scotland, to assess applications for financial redress. The individually assessed redress payment levels are set at £20,000, £40,000 or £80,000. The Bill seeks to establish a scheme that will be non‐adversarial and sensitive to the needs of survivors. It will offer a faster alternative to the civil court process and access to elements of non‐financial remuneration including therapeutic support. In some circumstances, next of kin of deceased survivors will be able to apply for the redress payment of £10,000. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “The Bill seeks to put in place a scheme which treats survivors with dignity and respect and which faces up to the past with compassion. Survivors of historical abuse in care have campaigned with dedication and perseverance for access to justice, improved accountability, and redress. They deserve to be listened to, heard and believed. This Bill is a tribute to their courage, determination and perseverance to ensure others never have to experience what they did.” David Whelan, spokesperson for Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers (FBGA), said the group welcomed the proposed Bill and urged all MSPs to support it. He added: “The harm and damage inflicted on children in care who are now adults by those who had a duty of care on children is unquantifiable. “This harm and damage has been lifelong and has had a profound impact on the lives of those who were abused in care with severe life‐long consequences as recognised by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. “This redress scheme will certainly acknowledge this harm and damage provided it is a fair and reasonable redress scheme. It will go some way to support those abused in care to help rebuild their lives and find some comfort in their remaining years” (PDF format).
Scots abuse survivors payments of up to £80,000 under new laws. Survivors of historical child abuse in Scotland's care system will be able to claim up to £80,000 in “redress” payments under proposed new laws. By Scott Macnab, The Scotsman, 14th August 2020.The Scottish Government is seeking “contributions” towards these payments from organisations involved in the care of victims at the time of the abuse. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “For decades, many children were failed by the institutions and people entrusted to look after them. Financial redress is an important part of doing what we can to address these failings. “The Redress for Survivors Bill will acknowledge and provide tangible recognition of harm as a result of historical child abuse in various residential care settings in Scotland” (PDF format). Scottish Government introduces legislation for a Redress for Survivors of Historical Abuse in Care Bill. Follow the link to the proposed Bill and relevant policy documents on the Scottish Government website, 13th August 2020. WHY THE BILL WAS CREATED Many children in care in Scotland in the past were not treated with love or with respect. They were abused by those responsible for their care. Survivors of historical abuse in care have campaigned for redress. They want, and deserve, to be listened to, heard and believed. Making redress payments is an important part of dealing with the wrongs of the past. The Bill aims to provide practical recognition of the harm caused by historical child abuse in care in Scotland. The Bill aims to treat survivors with dignity and respect. It is part of facing up to the wrongs of the past with compassion. As well as the Bill, other actions are being taken to support survivors of historical child abuse. These include apologies and other forms of support. Organisations which were responsible for the care of children at the time of the abuse are being asked to contribute to the scheme. This is what survivors have said that they want. It also allows those organisations to help deal with the wrongs of the past. Redress for abuse in care. More than 400 advance payments made. A scheme that offers recognition and acknowledgement to survivors of historical childhood abuse in care has made payments of £10,000 each to 417 people in its first year. The Advance Payment Scheme provides redress payments to those who were abused in care in Scotland and who are terminally ill or aged 68 and over. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I am pleased that more than 400 people have received an advance payment. We continue to do everything possible to help survivors and their families apply to the scheme by ensuring a simple application process. I am particularly pleased by the positive feedback we have received on the process from survivors and survivors groups. “While clearly nothing can take away the pain that individuals have suffered, the scheme, together with other actions we are taking, will go some way towards acknowledging the grievous harm inflicted on them when they were most vulnerable.” Scottish Government website, 28th July 2020. Update on the latest information on financial redress for survivors of child abuse in care. The Scottish Government are due to bring forward legislation on the main Scheme after the summer recess of the Scottish Parliament. Scottish Government website, 28th July 2020.
Dear all, please see this letter from John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, to Clare Adamson MSP, the Convenor of the Education and Skills Committee, confirming that the Scottish Government intends to introduce a Bill (i.e. legislation) to provide financial redress to survivors of historical in care abuse. The Bill will be introduced after the summer parliamentary recess.This is an extract from the letter, which is headed, “REDRESS (SURVIVORS OF IN CARE ABUSE) BILL ‐ INTRODUCTION” and goes on to say, “Dear Clare, I am writing to you in respect of the Redress (Survivors of In Care Abuse) (Scotland) Bill. In our Programme for Government 2019‐20, we committed to introducing a Bill to provide financial redress to survivors of historical in care child abuse in this year's legislative programme. While the Covid‐19 emergency and response has affected all aspects of government work, including the preparation of draft legislation, I wanted to write to you to reiterate the intention of the Government to introduce this important Bill. Following discussion with the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans and officials, it is now planned to introduce the Redress Bill following the Parliamentary summer recess.” Letter dated the 11th June 2020 (PDF format).
Dear all, Future Pathways have been in touch with FBGA to let us know that their services are still operating during the coronavirus pandemic. Please share their letter with anyone who you feel needs support services. The full letter is here and an extract below.“We have had feedback that people are unclear if Future Pathways is open, other people may feel they don't want to contact us during this time even though everyone is experiencing new challenges at this time. As Alliance Manager, I want each and every person to be able to contact us if help is needed. That's why I wanted to be in touch ‐ to reassure everyone that we remain very much open and able to support you. If there's anything that we can help you with, I urge you to contact your Support Coordinator or call the registration line on 0808 164 2005 and one of our team can help. If you are not sure about getting in touch, for any reason, please email our Engagement Team at engagement@future-pathways.co.uk, or text or call 077 02 565 847. We will be more than happy to hear any worries you might have and offer reassurance. Yours sincerely, Flora Henderson Alliance Manager, 29th May 2020 (PDF format).
Criminal convictions and criminal charges of former Quarriers employees. Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (extract pages).• The offences were committed between the 1950s ‐ 1980s. • The following are details of the criminal convictions and criminal charges in respect of which they were accused at trial. • Please note: These extract pages ‐ 133‐149 ‐ are taken from the main Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry interim report case study 3 published 07/01/2020. See the full report here (PDF format).
Dear all, here are the preliminary case study findings from the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry in respect of child abuse relating to Quarriers, Aberlour Child Care Trust and Barnardo's between 1921 and 1991. Pages 133 to 149 of the report itemise all the criminal charges that a number of former Quarriers employees have been charged with over and above those criminal charges individual employees were found guilty of in the Scottish Criminal Courts. 7th January 2020 (PDF format).
Children in Scottish charity homes did suffer from abuse, inquiry rules. David Whelan, spokesman for Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers (FBGA), thanked the chairwoman for how the inquiry has been handled and said her findings “vindicate” their campaign for a public investigation. By Conor Riordan, The Scotsman, 8th January 2020 (PDF format).
Children abused by charities. Inquiry slates Barnardo's, Quarriers and others for ‘harsh, rigid’ regimes.Previous reports have been highly critical of religious orders but Lady Smith said the ‘extent of sexual abuse – including abuse which also constituted a serious breach of trust – was greater in this case study’. David Whelan, spokesman for Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers (FBGA), said: “We have always said the criminal convictions of eight Quarriers ex-employees for child abuse which included physical, emotional and sexual abuse in all its forms represented the tip of the iceberg and this is borne out by the findings of Lady Smith.” By Graham Grant, Home Affairs Editor. The Scottish Daily Mail, 8th January 2020 (PDF format).
Quarriers children were abused, says inquiry. The Paisley Daily Express, 8th January 2020 (PDF format).
Scottish child abuse inquiry finds that children ‘suffered abuse’ in Quarriers, Aberlour and Barnardos. The Scotsman, 7th January 2020 (PDF format).
Survivors of abuse at Quarriers feel ‘vindicated’ by findings of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. David Whelan, spokesman for Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers, said the findings “vindicate” their campaign for a public investigation. He said former management of Quarriers had failed in their duty of care but accepted that the organisation was now “very different.”Mr Whelan added: “Lady Smith's findings are unequivocal in their condemnation of the past Quarriers organisation and the effects of this abuse and its impact on those who suffered such abuse in Quarriers' past care. “The extent and nature of the abuse which Lady Smith has found to have occurred in Quarriers is truly shocking.” The Paisley Gazette, 8th January 2020 (PDF format).
Scottish children ‘physically, emotionally and sexually abused’ while in care. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry found that the “undue autonomy” afforded to those in charge of the children and the lack of consistent practices in the homes were major factors in the abuse.It also noted that, compared to previous organisations investigated by the inquiry - including the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul and the Sisters of Nazareth - the extent of sexual abuse was greater at the QAB (Quarriers, Aberlour and Barnardo's) charities. Lady Smith added: “Children were subject to regimes, structures, and practices that facilitated the engagement by sexual predators in grooming practices and in serious breaches of trust.” Victoria Weldon, The Herald, 7th January 2020 (PDF format). Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry: Children in charity homes ‘did suffer abuse’. Children in homes run by Quarriers, Aberlour Child Care Trust, and Barnardo's suffered physical, emotional and sexual abuse, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has concluded. Lady Smith, who is chairing the inquiry, said children who were at the institutions between 1921 and 1991 lived in “harsh, rigid regimes”. She also said “scant regard was paid to their dignity”. Quarriers, Aberlour and Barnardo's have apologised for the abuse suffered. In her findings, Lady Smith said: “Many children did not find the warmth, care, and compassionate comfort they needed. “The previous lives of the children who came into the care of the QAB (Quarriers, Aberlour and Barnardo's) providers had all been blighted in some way, whether by being abused in the family home, the death of one or more parent, parental illness, families who could not cope with caring for them, abandonment, or by other similar circumstances. “The QAB providers could have made a real and positive difference to every child, but that did not happen. For many, further damage was inflicted upon them.” BBC News, 7th January 2020.
Youngsters were physically, emotionally and sexually assaulted while at institutions run by three care providers, according to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. Clyde News, 7th January 2020 (PDF format).
Money worry over child abuse inquiry. Scottish ministers resisted an inquiry into historic child abuse to avoid “admitting liability” and encouraging victims of other tragedies to seek money from the state. Tom Gordon, Scottish Political Editor, The Herald, 1st January 2020 (PDF format).
Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, Case Study No 3. The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by Quarriers, Aberlour Child Care Trust, and Barnardo's between 1921 and 1991. Evidential Hearings: 23 October 2018 to 12 February 2019 (PDF format).Financial Redress Consultation responses can be viewed here. The Scottish Government, 19th December 2019. Information updates on financial redress for survivors of child abuse in care. The Scottish Government, 23rd October 2018. Financial redress for survivors of historical child abuse in care: review of the Advance Payment Scheme. The Scottish Government, 4th December 2019. Financial redress for survivors of child abuse in care: Advance Payment Scheme form and guidance. The Scottish Government, 25th April 2019.
The Scottish Government has apologised for the “suffering” of child migrants sent abroad by institutions entrusted to care for them. Stuart Gale QC, representing the Former Boys and Girls Abused of Quarriers' Homes, which sent more than 7,000 children from Scotland overseas mainly to work on farms, told the inquiry that following the setting up of the redress scheme some may question the need for further examination of child migration.He referenced Prime Minister Boris Johnson's remarks that millions of pounds of police funding was being “spaffed up the wall” on historic abuse investigations and accused him of “staggering insensitivity”. Mr Gale said evidence taken and still to be given shows the need for their experience to be “formally recognised and investigated”. Thousands of children from Scotland were sent overseas through child migration schemes that ran until 1971. Laura Paterson, Press Association Scotland, 3rd December 2019 (PDF format). Abuse inquiry: Quarriers admits child migration was ‘misguided and wrong’. BBC News, 3rd December 2019. Financial redress historical child abuse in care consultation. Scottish Government. Dear all, This important consultation on financial redress closes on the 25th November 2019. It is important that as many former residents who had negative and abusive experiences in care complete the Questionaire. You can complete it online or if you require a questionaire we can sent this out to you. You can answer as many or as few questions as you like. Former Quarriers children's home residents and abuse survivors have gathered at the end of a campaign to reinstate headstones for hundreds of children who lay in unmarked graves. A white rose was laid in remembrance for each of the 335 children buried in Quarriers village in Renfrewshire. BBC News, 29th September 2019.
Financial Redress For Survivors Of Historical Abuse In Care. Information Note 3: Redress Consultation. The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on financial redress for survivors of abuse in care in Scotland. This consultation will run for 12 weeks and will close on 25 November 2019. It is open to all interested individuals and organisations; the Government want to hear the views of as many people as possible, including survivors and the those who support them. The information the Government gather from the public consultation will help shape the content of the draft legislation to be brought before Parliament next year. You can respond to the consultation online or by email or post. More information and details about how to take part are included in the attached Information Note. Hard copies of the consultation paper and response form are available on request.Helping the Scottish Government to raise awareness and promote participation in the consultation. The Government knows that the FBGA has direct or indirect contact with survivors of abuse in care and would appreciate their help in raising awareness and participation in the consultation. Some survivors may find it helpful to use existing supports and forums that they have in place to discuss the consultation. Perhaps FBGA would like to come along to an information session to hear about the consultation and how to help with awareness raising and participation. We know that some survivor organisations plan to organise small group sessions with interested survivors and we would be happy to discuss how we can assist with those. Please do not hesitate to contact the Government should you have any questions about these developments or any of the information provided. You can contact us by phone on 0300 244 2242 or by email at redress@gov.scot. For more information please download this PDF. Scottish Government, September 2019 (PDF format). Abusers could be forced to make financial payouts to survivors of historic child abuse in care. The Scottish Government Financial Redress for Historical Child Abuse in Care ‐ Pre‐Legislative Consultation addresses the principles and structures of the redress scheme, and the government is expected to work with survivors to consider payment levels at a later stage. Helen Holland, chair of the In Care Abuse Survivors group (INCAS), said: “We encourage all survivors to participate in the public consultation. It is important their voices are heard.” David Whelan, spokesperson for Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers, said: “We welcome the very positive steps that the Scottish Government has taken to commit to implementing a redress scheme for former residents abused in the past care system. The severe harm, damage and trauma inflicted and its impact on former residents abused, as highlighted in the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, simply cannot be quantified in monetary terms. A redress scheme, that is fair and reasonable, will go some way to help survivors rebuild their shattered lives.” The consultation closing date for responses is the 25th of November and the redress scheme bill is expected to be introduced next spring. The Scotsman, 2nd September 2019. Financial Redress for Historical Child Abuse in Care ‐ Pre‐Legislative Consultation. This consultation seeks views on the detailed design of a statutory financial redress scheme in Scotland, scheme administration issues, and views on financial redress as part of a package of wider reparations for survivors of historical child abuse in care. FBGA would encourage all victims-survivors to participate in this very important consultation to have your views heard. The Scottish Government, Citizen Space, 2nd September 2019. Those responsible for the abuse of children in their care in Scotland may have to help pay for a new financial redress scheme. BBC News, 2nd September 2019. Dear all, We are pleased to announce that Fiona Burke, a former resident of Quarriers, has agreed to represent the FBGA on the Interaction group, which has a broad representation of former residents from past care institutions including Quarriers. The Interaction group is currently working in partnership with a number of interested parties including CELCIS and the Scottish Government. We want to wish Fiona all the best and thank her for representing former residents of Quarriers on the Interaction group. August 2019. University pledge for care‑system students in Scotland. The aim is to give more care‑experienced people the chance to get to university. People who have been in the care system are to be guaranteed an offer of a university place if they meet new minimum entry requirements. All 18 Scottish universities which use the main admissions system have agreed to make the change. Professor Sally Mapstone, the principal of St Andrews University, called the scheme “transformational”. By Jamie McIvor, BBC Scotland education correspondent. BBC News, 25th July 2019.
Survivors of historical child abuse will pay no tax on compensation payments. Peter Swinton, Scottish Sunday Post, 9th June 2019 (PDF format).
Crown Office to face inquiry for ‘failing child abuse victims’. An inquiry into historical child abuse is expected to investigate alleged failures by Scotland's prosecution body to protect vulnerable children in care, the Sunday Times has learnt. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said it anticipates being a focus of future investigation by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. Mark Macaskill, Sunday Times, 5th May 2019 (PDF format).
Day 2 of Professor Ian Levitt's expert evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. Transcript of day 127 of the SCAI, 10th April 2019 (PDF format).
Financial Redress for Historical Child Abuse in Care. The Advance Payments Scheme: Guidance and Application Form. Scottish Government, 25th April 2019 (PDF format).
Financial Redress for Historical Child Abuse in Care. The Advance Payments Scheme: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) booklet and contact details. If you have further questions or need help, please contact the Advance Payment Team. Telephone: call free of charge on 0808 169 9740, Monday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm. Alternatively they have an automated phone service if you want to request an application pack but do not need to speak to someone. If this is the case, please call free of charge on 0808 196 1436. Email: AdvancePaymentTeam@gov.scot. Scottish Government, 25th April 2019 (PDF format).Advance payments scheme announced by Deputy First Minister. Survivors of childhood abuse who are aged 70 or over or terminally ill can apply now for compensation payments. It has been introduced ahead of a wider payment scheme that is due to open in 2021 and which will offer redress to other survivors of abuse in care. There had been concerns that some survivors would not survive until then because of their age or health. The Advance Payment Scheme will see successful applicants receive a flat rate of £10,000, with £10m being set aside for the scheme this year. To be eligible, applicants must either have a terminal illness or be aged 70 or over, and have experienced abuse while in care in Scotland before December 2004. BBC News, 25th April 2019.
Expert evidence to Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry by Professor Ian Levitt. Transcript of day 126 of the SCAI, 4th April 2019 (PDF format).
Expert evidence to Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry by Professor Andrew Kendrick. Transcript of day 125 of the SCAI, 3rd April 2019 (PDF format).
Expert evidence to Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry by Professor Kenneth Norrie. Transcript of day 124 of the SCAI, 2nd April 2019 (PDF format).
Child migration used to keep Commonwealth white, legal expert claims. Professor Kenneth Norrie, giving evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, stated the following: “Charitable institutions genuinely thought they were giving children a good chance at life. The Government had different intentions – they were thinking about stocking the British empire with as many white people as possible.” He also claimed to be “unconvinced” there was legal capacity for a parent or child to consent to the youngster being sent abroad. It was, he believed, residential care organisations such as Quarrier's who took advantage of nobody wishing to challenge the process. The legal expert said “big efforts” were made to seek out “waifs and strays”, such as children who were rough sleeping. Prof Norrie added: “These charities thought they were doing the right thing. Society as a whole thought this was a good thing.” Canada was the prime destination for migration until after the Second World War, when it became Australia. UK News, 2nd April 2019 (PDF format).Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry clarifies position on child migrants payment scheme, 5th April 2019.
Inquiry hears approved schools were not good environments for rehabilitation. Networks of criminals were created around Scotland as a result of people's experiences in approved schools and the Borstal system. Residential childcare expert Professor Andrew Kendrick suggested that the institutions were not good environments for rehabilitation. The Press Association, 3rd April 2019 (PDF format).
Scottish child abuse Inquiry hears of serious concerns about approved schools in Scotland. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) heard that heavy punishment regimes were among concerns raised in a report. Professor Levitt told the inquiry of serious concerns raised in the past surrounding a number of approved schools in Scotland. The SCAI heard that the potential for a mass walkout, heavy punishment regimes and a lack of psychological treatment facilities for “disturbed” youngsters were among the fears raised about the institutions in a report from the late 1960s. UK News, 4th April 2019 (PDF format).
Children's care experiences were almost down to chance, abuse inquiry told by Professor Andrew Kendrick. The Press Association, 3rd April 2019 (PDF format).
Preliminary closing submissions to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Quarriers Case Study) FBGA day one. 11th February 2019 (PDF format).
Preliminary closing submissions to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Quarriers Case Study) FBGA day two. 12th February 2019 (PDF format).
Preliminary closing submissions to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Quarriers Case Study) Day two extended, including submissions on behalf of INCAS, the Lord Advocate, Police Scotland, the Scottish Ministers, Quarriers, Barnardo's and Aberlour Child Care Trust as well as FBGA. 12th February 2019 (PDF format).
Letter to the National Confidential Forum's Interaction Action Plan Review Group from Dr Rachel Harper. “Dear All, As my time with the Forum comes to an end, I would like to thank all in the Interaction Action Plan Review Group for your support and openness. It has been a privilege to carry out this role on behalf of the Scottish public. I thank you all for championing the Forum, but particularly I thank all those survivors who have given me their trust…” Dr Rachel Happer, Senior Clinical Fellow in Clinical Psychology, School of Health in Social Sciences, University of Edinburgh. 27th February 2019 (PDF format).
Inquiry told ‘evil’ carers could have abused thousands. Children lived in fear due to the ‘widespread abuse’ of potentially thousands of boys and girls in care homes, an inquiry into child abuse has been told. Stuart Gale QC, on behalf of the Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers (FBGA), described the abuse as ‘endemic in certain cottages and was a part of everyday life.’ The Metro, 12th February 2019 (PDF format).
Child abuse survivors praised for ‘candour and courage’. Witnesses who gave evidence of abuse they suffered while in residential childcare have been praised for their “candour and courage”. Lawyers for Quarriers, Aberlour and Barnardo's made the comments during closing statements of the current phase of Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry…The inquiry has heard witnesses describe routine beatings, emotional abuse and sexual assaults. Some former care residents still bear physical and mental scars decades after the abuse.All three organisations offered apologies to those who suffered while in their care. Kate Dowdalls QC, representing Quarriers, said: “During this case study, former Quarriers residents have come forward to describe events that are deeply personal and often distressing. Quarriers is grateful to them for their candour and courage…” Scottish TV News, 12th February 2019 (PDF format).
‘Endemic’ child abuse was part of everyday life, inquiry told. Stuart Gale QC, on behalf of the Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers (FBGA), described the abuse as “endemic in certain cottages and was a part of everyday life. In the relevant period, certainly hundreds ‐ if not thousands ‐ of children suffered abuse in Quarriers,” he told the inquiry, urging judge Lady Smith to address the scale of the abuse in her findings. Press Association, 11th February 2019 (PDF format).
Dear all, Update on financial redress to the Scottish Education Committee, 1st February 2019 (PDF format). Deputy First Minister John Swinney is quoted as saying: “The Scottish Government has been progressing work at pace on financial redress.“We will make advance payments to survivors who may not live long enough to apply to a statutory scheme. I am pleased the Budget Bill has now passed Stage 1 and has a Parliamentary agreement to pass at Stage 3, which means the £10 million set aside for the advance payments scheme is now available from this April. “The budget will in effect be demand led and the provisional allocation of £10 million may be higher or lower depending on the number of applications received. “We are working with the Review Group to gather their views on key aspects of the application process and how the scheme will be publicised to those survivors who may not live long enough to apply to the statutory scheme. We will publish full details of the advance payments as soon as possible.” 1st February 2019. Please note: FBGA support in principle the advance payments. FBGA are still awaiting and seeking further clarification and assurances from the Scottish Government via the Review Group relating to a number of aspects of this advance payment proposal. FBGA believe it should be based on an individual's abusive experience in‐care. Serious concerns remain about any likely potential impact on the “rights of individuals” and “rights of any dependent” who may ordinarily have full access to the main scheme (if it were enacted now) including those individuals who are terminally ill and those of an advanced age and over 70s. There are still concerns also relating to unintended consequences including impact on Benefits to be addressed and some other matters too.
Letter concerning the financial redress scheme from John Swinney, Deputy First Minister, to Clare Adamson, convener of the Education and Skills Committee, 30th January 2019 (PDF format).
‘I couldn't deal with it, it tore me apart’: surviving child sexual abuse. As a boy, Tom Yarwood was assaulted by his musical mentor. Decades on, telling
the story has not become any easier. The Guardian, 1st February 2019 (PDF format).
Childcare sector viewed as second‐class profession, inquiry told. Bosses at childcare organisations have said the industry struggles to retain and recruit good staff, with the profession viewed as “second class”. Press Association, 31st January 2019 (PDF format).
Child charity executive says sorry to homes abuse victims. The boss of a childcare provider has said crimes against youngsters could have taken place even if individuals were not convicted of offences. Alice Harper, chief executive officer of Quarriers, told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry yesterday she was “deeply saddened” by evidence of harm at its former residential homes in Inverclyde. She described “unacceptable” levels of punishment and children being treated as “domestic labour” by house parents at the Quarriers Village cottages.It was heard seven former members of staff have been convicted of forms of abuse ‐ John Porteous, Joseph Nicholson, Mary Drummond, Samuel Mcbrearty, Alexander Wilson, Ruth Wallace and Euphemia Ramsay. However, she added that more crimes could have been committed. The Herald, 29th January 2019 (PDF format).
Village model aided abusers, admits childcare Quarriers charity boss. A childcare chief has told an abuse inquiry that too much emphasis was placed on preventing harm from strangers rather than from people the children knew. Charles Coggrave told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry that children were more at risk from people who had regular contact with them, particularly regarding sexual abuse. The head of safeguarding and aftercare for the charity Quarriers agreed that its former village model created an environment that made it easier for the children to be preyed on. The Times, 29th January 2019 (PDF format).
Child abuse could have taken place despite lack of
convictions, inquiry told. The boss of a childcare provider has said crimes against youngsters could have taken place even if individuals were not convicted of offences. Alice Harper, chief executive officer of Quarriers, told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry on Monday she was “deeply saddened” by evidence of harm at its former residential homes in Inverclyde. She described “unacceptable” levels of punishment and children being treated as “domestic labour” by house parents at the Quarriers Village cottages.It was heard seven former members of staff have been convicted of forms of abuse ‐ John Porteous, Joseph Nicholson, Mary Drummond, Samuel McBrearty, Alexander Wilson, Ruth Wallace and Euphemia Ramsay. However, she added that more crimes could have been committed without there being any criminal repercussions. Ms Harper said: “Personally I'm deeply saddened and shocked by the evidence I have heard. I will never forget that. “On behalf of Quarriers, I unreservedly apologise to those who suffered abuse while in the care of the organisation.” By Jeff Holmes for the Press Association, published in the Scottish Daily Mail, 28th January 2019 (PDF format).
Too much focus on preventing harm from strangers, childcare boss tells inquiry. Witnesses have told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) of abuse from staff at Quarriers village in Inverclyde. A childcare boss has told the abuse inquiry that too much emphasis was placed on preventing harm from strangers, rather than those youngsters knew.Charles Coggrave told the SCAI that children are more at risk from people who have regular contact with them, particularly when it comes to sexual abuse. The head of safeguarding and aftercare for Quarriers also agreed the charity's former village model created an environment which made it easier for them to be preyed upon. Press Association, 28th January 2019 (PDF format).
Front‐line workers at children's homes not qualified, inquiry told. Former Barnardo's chief executive Sir Roger Singleton has been giving evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI). Some staff in children's homes were promoted beyond their abilities simply because they had a qualification, he told the inquiry.Sir Roger ‐ a former chief executive of the children's charity Barnardo's who has since been working in the field of safeguarding ‐ said it was “unquestionably” the case historically that residential care providers would struggle to recruit and retain workers. The SCAI heard that a considerable number of front‐line staff in residential care establishments could be unqualified and inadequately trained, despite having to deal with children with special needs and emotional problems. UK News, 16th January 2019 (PDF format).
Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry newsletter, Winter/Spring 2019 (PDF format). Online version here.
15 minutes of fury as victim relives ordeal. A woman who was beaten and sexually abused after being sent to an orphanage as a toddler yesterday launched a furious attack on the charity responsible for her care. By Graham Grant for the Scottish Daily Mail, 27th October 2018 (PDF format).Quarrier's told to take responsibility for impact on former resident's lives. A former orphanage resident has delivered a scathing attack on the organisation responsible for her care, saying it needs to take “responsibility” for the impact it has had on people's lives. The witness said those who stayed at Quarrier's Village in Renfrewshire had been left living as “charity cases”. She also claimed records from her time at the establishment, where she lived from the late 1950s until the late 1960s, had been hidden from her by Quarrier's. The woman strongly condemned the organisation at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry after chair Lady Smith said she could “be angry” if she wanted to when giving evidence. By Conor Riordan for Care Appointments website, 26th October 2018.
“I was dumped in a dustbin and left to die”. Now, following a poignant pilgrimage to Quarriers, he has looked back on his time at the home as “the happiest days of my life’.He said: “I had a wonderful time. We could join the scouts, there was school and we even had holidays. It makes me feel sad that there is nothing left of Quarriers now.” In recent years revelations about Quarriers home and details of a catalogue of historic abuse have come to light. The scandal now forms a major part of the Scottish Government child abuse inquiry. But Kenny said: “I can honestly say that I didn't experience anything like that.” By Susan Lochrie for the Greenock Telegraph, 8th January 2019 (PDF format). Online version here. UK Government to “establish a scheme to ensure that former child migrants receive a payment as soon as possible in recognition of the fundamentally flawed nature of the historic child migration policy”. Statement by Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for the Home Department, 19th December 2018. Scottish charities face abuse claims. Barnardo's, Quarriers and Aberlour face historic claims of abuse made by hundreds of alleged victims. By Gareth Jones for Third Force News, 19th December 2018.
Bosses at sex scandal home were ‘hell‐bent on keeping it quiet’. By Graham Grant for the Scottish Daily Mail, 19th December 2018 (PDF format).
Revealed: Three of Britain's biggest childcare charities including Barnardo's are at heart of police probes into claims of historic child abuse. Detectives are probing claims of abuse at a number of Scottish children's homes. By Graham Grant for the Scottish Daily Mail, 18th December 2018 (PDF format). Online version here.
Agenda: Shining a light on Scotland's care system. By Dr Rachel Happer, Head of the National Confidential Forum, the Herald, 23rd November 2018 (PDF format).Three child care organisations face historic abuse probe. Police are investigating claims of historic abuse against three of the UK's largest child care organisations. Detectives are in the early stages of probing allegations made against people linked to Barnardo's, Quarriers and Aberlour Child Care Trust. The three organisations are the focus of the latest phase of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. BBC News, 18th December 2018.
Child abuse inquiry hears shock claims of ‘collusion’ to
hide truth about Home Office and council ‘hellholes’. By Ben Gelblum for the London Economic, 8th May 2018 (PDF format). Online version here.
Former Quarriers resident says social workers ‘ignored’ abuse claims, by Chris Marshall, the Scotsman, 8th November 2018 (PDF format). Online version here.
Boy, aged eight, ‘was repeatedly raped at children's home by his housefather before he was called a liar and made to apologise to him when he reported the abuse’.
Child migration scheme ‘a living hell’. A man who was sent to Canada in the 1940s under the child migrant programme has described the experience as a “living hell”. Roddy MacKay, who waived his right to anonymity, left for Canada in 1941. Giving evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, Mr MacKay, 84, who was born in Edinburgh, said that after a medical examination he was deemed suitable for work as a labourer. He was aged six. By Conor Riordan for the Times, 22nd November 2018. Scots child migrant shipped to Canada as six‐year‐old boy recalls ‘living hell’. Edinburgh‐born Roddy Mackay, who was giving evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, says the horror of Fairbridge Farm was burned into his mind for all time. By Conor Riordan for the Scottish Daily Record, 22nd November 2018. Evil pair. Child abuse victims tell how ‘house mother and father’ at Quarrier's care home stripped them naked for beatings and used cold baths as punishment. One witness Thomas Hagan, who was plunged into freezing water for wetting the bed, told an inquiry he ‘thought he'd die’ after one bath turned his legs blue. By Paul Ward for the Scottish Sun, 31st October 2018.
Compensation time bar rule to be reviewed. The UK's Victims Commissioner is to examine why child abuse survivors are still being denied criminal injuries despite the change in time bar law in Scotland. Baroness Newlove is to investigate whether the UK Government's two‐year time limit on claims needs to be scrapped. By Marion Scott, Sunday Post, 18th November 2018 (PDF format).Over a quarter of kids ‘abused’ at orphanage reported attacks while in care. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry heard 164 people complained to police about suffering abuse at Quarrier's Village in Renfrewshire from the 1930s onwards. By Hilary Duncanson for the Scottish Daily Record, 16th November 2018.
Traumatised care home girl ‘suffocated herself’. A girl was so traumatised by her treatment at the hands of nuns at her care home she suffocated herself to the point of collapse, an inquiry has heard. The child, whose age was not given, often ‘took fits’ after cutting off her air supply with her clothing, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was told yesterday. Giving evidence in Edinburgh, Carol McBay recalled witnessing the behaviour while a social worker in the early 1980s at Southannan School, in Fairlie, Ayrshire, which was run by the Quarriers charity. She told the inquiry the girl was transferred to her care from a Catholic‐run children's home in Glasgow, where the child said nuns had beaten her with wooden spoons. By Sam Walker, Scottish Daily Mail, 14th November 2018 (PDF format).
Child abuser allowed to live in care complex, inquiry told. A man convicted of abusing children at a care home was allowed to live nearby during the police investigation, an inquiry heard yesterday. Former Quarriers charity boss Philip Robinson told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry he had made a ‘mistake’ in allowing John Porteous to stay in its Renfrewshire complex during the two‐year probe. Giving evidence in Edinburgh yesterday, Mr Robinson admitted he did not take steps to prevent Porteous potentially gaining access to vulnerable children in Quarriers Village. By Sam Walker, Scottish Daily Mail, 16th November 2018 (PDF format).
Quarriers staff ‘were told at time about abuse’. More than a quarter of victims who say they were abused at a children's home said they told staff about the attacks while still in care, an inquiry has heard. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) heard 164 people complained to police about suffering abuse at Quarriers Village from the 1930s onwards. By Hilary Duncanson, Scottish Daily Mail, 17th November 2018 (PDF format).
I'm sorry for abuse, care boss tells 140 ‘victims’. The man in charge of child welfare at a care home apologised yesterday after it was disclosed that 140 young people under his watch said they were abused. Bill Dunbar told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry that serious crimes against youngsters in his care ‘should not have happened’. By Sam Walker, Scottish Daily Mail, 15th November 2018 (PDF format).
‘Beast of the bell tower’ paedophile, 85, refuses to apologise to man he sexually abused at a care home as a youngster as his victim stares him down at child abuse inquiry. John Porteous, 85, abused David Whelan at a Renfrewshire children's home. The convicted paedophile worked at the children's home between 1969-1974. Porteous's case was raised at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry in Edinburgh. He told the inquiry that discipline at the home would now be considered abuse. By Graham Grant for the Scottish Daily Mail, 9th November 2018 (PDF format). Online version here.
Care home paedophile refuses to say sorry to victim he preyed on. A convicted paedophile has refused to apologise to the man he sexually abused ‐ and yesterday boasted to an inquiry about ‘stringent’ child protection measures at his former care home. John Porteous, 85, was jailed for the abuse of David Whelan at Quarriers Village. At the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) yesterday, Mr Whelan, 61, listened as the statutory probe's chairman Lady Smith said Porteous had refused to apologise for the sexual abuse. By Graham Grant, Home Affairs Editor, Scottish Daily Mail, 9th November 2018 (PDF format).
A convicted paedophile failed to offer an apology for his crimes as he appeared before the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. John Porteous, 85, was jailed in 2002 for sex offences against two boys at Quarrier's Village in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, where he worked in the 1960s and 1970s. Lady Smith, the judge leading the inquiry, told the public gallery, including one of Porteous' victims, that his convictions were “established fact” but that it was Porteous' position that “no apology is offered or is due”. By Chris Marshall, the Scotsman, 9th November 2018 (PDF format). Online version here.
Girl, 11, was abused as she lay in her sick bed at orphanage. Victim left ‘frozen in fear’ by depraved carer.
Jailed: Alexander Wilson
Paedophile allowed back to orphanage despite sex attacks. By Chris Marshall, the Scotsman, 7th November 2018 (PDF format). Online version here.
Abusers at orphanage ‘groomed me to pass on to gang’. A former orphanage resident subjected to three years of abuse said yesterday a paedophile ring may have been based at the home. David Whelan, 61, said he had been ‘sexualised’ by a member of staff at Quarriers Village in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, after being admitted in March 1969 at the age of 11. He told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) of his fears he had been ‘groomed’ with the intention of ‘passing him on’ to a wealthy businessman for sexual abuse. Mr Whelan, who left Quarriers at 16, said he had endured sustained abuse at the hands of an ‘unrepentant paedophile’ who was supposed to be looking after him. By Graham Grant, Home Affairs Editor, Scottish Daily Mail, 3rd November 2018 (PDF format).Brave child sex abuse victim raises fears of a paedophile ring operating inside the children's home where he grew up, by Chris Dyer for Mailonline, 2nd November 2018. Abuse ‘normalised’ at Quarriers children's home, inquiry hears. A man who was sexually abused at a children's home in the 1970s has said some of its staff ran it like a military institution where physical abuse was normalised. David Whelan gave evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry about Quarriers Village in Bridge of Weir. The inquiry heard, Mr Whelan, who has waived his right to anonymity, was sent to Quarriers in 1969, aged 11, and remained there until he was 16. Now in his early 60s, he struggled to control his emotions as he described his early years at the home. He said they were regimented, like something from a military institution, where physical abuse was normalised. Punishments included beatings with a belt and baton, being locked in a shed and being told he was unwanted by his parents. ‘Paedophile ring’ Residents were also subjected to hair-pulling and being made to stand outside in a shed, sometimes until dawn. Mr Whelan also told the inquiry he suspected the home may have been linked to a paedophile ring. He said: “I believe I was being groomed to be passed on. At the time, you try and understand what was going on here, try to read what's going on here. I'm as clear as daylight - I was going to be passed on. I just wonder if there was a paedophile ring operating out of Quarriers, with some former residents.” BBC News, 2nd November 2018. ‘Groomed to be passed on’ Man who was sexually abused aged 11 at Renfrewshire children's home believes paedophile ring was operating at the orphanage. David Whelan, who waived his right to anonymity, said he believed he was being groomed to be “passed on” while he was at Quarriers Village children's home. The witness, who stayed at the facility between 1969 and 1974, was abused at the home. He was 11-years-old when he went to the orphanage. Speaking at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry in Edinburgh on Friday, he said: “I believe I was being groomed to be passed on. At the time, you try and understand what was going on here, try to read what's going on here. I'm as clear as daylight – I was going to be passed on. I just wonder if there was a paedophile ring operating out of Quarriers, with some former residents.” By Conor Riordan, the Scottish Sun, 2nd November 2018. A paedophile ring ‘may have been operating out of Quarriers Village children's home’ says former resident, by Conor Riordan, the Scottish Daily Record, 2nd November 2018. Children's home was like ‘prison camp’, inquiry told. A man who spent two years in hospital after being subjected to cold baths for wetting his bed in a children's home has described the institution as a “prison camp”. Thomas Hagan, 82, was a resident at Quarrier's Village in Renfrewshire between 1938 and 1952 and said it “ruined” his life. Press Association, 31st October 2018.
Child abuse inquiry: Quarrier's Village resident says abuse ‘became a way of life’, the Herald Scotland, 30th October 2018 (PDF format).Third phase of Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry to open, Press Association, 23/10/18. Former children's home resident thought house mother ‘was going to kill her’, Press Association, 26/10/18. Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry: I was raped and beaten - then forced to apologise to abuser, by Chris Marshall, the Scotsman, 26/10/18. A man has told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry how he was made to apologise to his attacker after being raped and beaten as an eight-year-old. “Troy” broke down as he told the inquiry he was raped four times by his house father at the “cottage” he shared with other boys at Quarrier's Village, Renfrewshire, in the late 1950s. Child died after violent beating at orphanage, says abuse victim, by Chris Marshall, the Scotsman, 25/10/18. A former resident of a notorious orphanage has told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry that a child died after a teacher beat him with a belt.
Man left with scars after time in orphanage, inquiry hears, Press Association, 24th October 2018 (PDF format).Scots Victims of child abuse in care will receive compensation from the Government. Families of deceased victims will also be eligible to apply, Scottish Daily Record 24th October 2018.
Information Note from the Scottish Government regarding Financial Redress for Survivors of Child Abuse In-Care October 2018 (PDF format).
Man sexually assaulted by three men while at orphanage, inquiry hears Press Association, 24th October 2018 (PDF format). Online version here.Scottish Government announces that victims/survivors of in care abuse are to receive compensation as phase three of the Inquiry begins to look at evidence from former Quarriers residents and others, 23rd October 2018. The announcement was made on the same day that the case study in Quarriers by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry began to hear evidence from former residents and others. Earlier that day, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was told that police have investigated complaints from more than 350 former residents of homes run by three voluntary organisations. Police Scotland said allegations of abuse had been made against nearly 400 people, dating back to the 1930s, at homes run by Quarriers, Barnardo's and the Aberlour Childcare Trust. Quarriers have apologised to children abused in their care. A statement read out to the inquiry on behalf of Quarriers said: “Quarriers acknowledges that children were subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse whilst in their care. It is acknowledged that abuse occurred across generations at Quarriers Village. Quarriers acknowledges that there were shortcomings in its historical policies and practices which did not prevent abuse from occurring.” The statement, read out by Kate Dowdalls QC, added: “Quarriers remains committed to assisting the inquiry with its work and welcomes the opportunity to hear the evidence of survivors and others. The present day Quarriers organisation remains committed to providing the highest possible standards of care and support to the vulnerable adults, children and young people who benefit from its services.” The police figures were revealed as phase three of the inquiry got under way in Edinburgh. From Carol Eden, Head of Marketing, Quarriers. “Dear Former Quarriers residents, I am sending a link to a news story from this week regarding further plans to install shared gravestones for the children buried in the Nittingshill cemetery. We have just updated this page with photos of other recent additions to the cemetery. We have also recently added the names of those buried there to our website and these can be found here. We hope this is helpful to descendants of Quarriers' Home children who are researching their family and former residents alike.”
Anger as convicted paedophile who still protests his innocence is asked to speak at homes abuse probe. “So many have died, including my own sister Irene, without seeing justice they deserved. Porteous refused to accept responsibility for what he did but so have others. He used a change in the law to have his sentence shortened, but has never appealed his conviction or taken part in paedophile programmes in prison. The inquiry was meant to be giving the victims a voice at last. So why is it giving our attacker the chance to abuse us all over again?” said David Whelan upon learning that his attacker, the convicted paedophile John Porteous, has been invited to speak at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. By Marion Scott, the Scottish Sunday Post, 21/10/2018 (PDF format).FBGA are pleased to announce that recommendations and proposals for financial compensation/redress for in care victims/survivors of historical abuse have been submitted to the Scottish Government for consideration following a consultation, Celcis website, 06/09/18. Reports and updates here. Link to Quarriers updated website regarding their plans for Nittingshill Cemetery, 28/08/18. FBGA would be grateful if you could share this information with any former residents. Call for financial compensation for victims of abuse in care, ITV News, 06/09/18. National Confidential Forum 18th July 2018 update. Shine a light on care campaign launched. If you spent time in care as a child, then the National Confidential Forum would like to hear from you. The Forum has launched a campaign urging people to get in touch and share their experiences. The campaign aims to reflect the thoughts and opinions of care experienced people by listening and understanding their experiences and giving people a voice. Ultimately the Forum wants to change things for the better. The Forum listens to and acknowledges people's childhood experiences of institutional care in Scotland, and what they are told will form part of a historical record being created about how children experienced care in Scotland's past. It will also inform any recommendations they make about how care for children and young people can be improved. The campaign was developed with support of care experienced people. The Forum wants more people to talk to them and acknowledges that it can be an extremely difficult decision for people to share their experiences. They provide a fully supported process and their team is trained to help people make the right decision for them. We would urge others to think about sharing their experience of care. It could make a difference. The campaign will run on STV and STV player. July 2018 update on financial compensation/redress for victims/survivors of childhood abuse in Scotland and the InterAction Review Group follow-up work relating to it. CELCIS (The Centre for excellence for looked after children in Scotland) are pleased to say they had a very strong response to their questionnare. They received 179 responses from individual survivors and 2 from victims/survivors organisations and are extremely grateful to everyone who took part. The InterAction action plan review group met on the 25th of June 2018 and are now in the final stages of the consultation and engagement on a potential financial compensation/redress scheme for victims/survivors of abuse in care. They expect to publish reports and submit recommendations to the Deputy First Minister later this autumn as follows:
Redress is to set right or remedy a wrong or harm. Redress and remedy in the context of historical abuse can take a range of forms such as apology, provision of services such as counselling or health services, or a monetary/financial payment. Reparation is to make amends for a wrong one has done, by providing payment or other assistance to those who have been wronged. Monetary or financial redress is a payment under redress that provides a tangible recognition of the seriousness of the hurt and injury suffered by a survivor. To avoid any confusion, the term financial redress is the term agreed by the Scottish Government and is described as "a tangible recognition of the harm done" (Deputy First Minister, Statement to Scottish Parliament, February 2017). Read more about the Scottish Human Rights Commission InterAction. An update from the Deputy First Minister. Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, sent letters to the Education and Skills Committee of the Scottish Parliament to update them on progress on the financial redress consultation and engagement.
Read the letter of the 13th of February 2017.Read the letter of the 23rd of February 2017. Read the letter of the 12th of February 2018. CELCIS web page about the consultation and engagement on potential financial compensation/redress for survivors of abuse in care.
Childhood Sexual Abuse. 'It never stops shaping you': the legacy of child sexual abuse and how to survive it. Child sexual abuse is frighteningly common and hugely damaging. But a new project is collecting survivors' stories – and revealing what is needed to heal. Gaby Hinsliff, the Guardian, 28/06/2018 (PDF format).Quarriers is currently planning some changes to Nittingshill Cemetery in Quarrier's Village. Quarriers have contacted FBGA and others and asked for comments and views about these plans. They would be very grateful if you could share this with anyone with a connection to those buried in Nittingshill Cemetery and former residents of Quarrier's Village. NITTINGSHILL CEMETERY Quarriers Village was established in 1878 and is made up of three farms on land near Bridge of Weir. By 1888, some 19 Homes known as Cottages had been built. Mount Zion Church and Nittingshill Cemetery were opened on 6 March 1888, some ten years after the establishment of Quarriers Village. You can read more about the church opening in the 1888 Narrative of Facts (page 11 on the PDF, numbered as page 19 in the document). William Quarrier and many of his family are buried in the Cemetery along with, staff, families and those supported when the organisation was known as the Orphan Homes of Scotland and then Quarriers' Homes. A plaque on the Cemetery wall names all children and adults who were cared for in the Orphan Homes of Scotland and who were laid to rest in this consecrated ground from 1888 until 1971. Quarrier would like to make some changes and additions to Nittingshill Cemetery and are keen to hear from the descendants of those buried here and any former residents about their views of our proposals. We have been asked by some former residents to replace headstones for the children and have spent some considerable time trying to establish what may have served as a marker for each grave. It has been suggested that gravestones may have been in place and possibly removed. After significant research, we have not been able to substantiate this. We are keen to hear from the descendants of those buried here and any former residents who specifically remember or have photographs of what may have been there and in what time period. Quarriers has a detailed register of those who are laid to rest in Nittingshill Cemetery. Not all children who passed away were buried at Nittingshill, as some families provided a resting place within their own family lairs. We have published a list of these names on our website along with age and year of burial if anyone wishes to check if their relative or ancestor is buried at Nittingshill Cemetery. www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk is a useful resource. It is free to register and credits are required to view certificates. We are keen to progress with some updates during the summer weather and plan to install plaques in memory of all those who lost their lives between 1878 and 1888 as well as from 1971 until 1998 when the last Cottage Home closed. In addition, we will also add section markers and signage to the areas where children are buried. If you would like to share your views, please email hello@quarriers.org.uk by Monday 16 July 2018.
Dear all, please find attached an FBGA paper recently submitted to the Scottish Government, SHRC, CELCIS and other members of the Interaction Group. The paper addresses a number of very important issues that have arisen around the financial redress consultation recently completed and currently being analyzed. These include issues relating to the wider victims/survivors community in general, how some of the redress and recognition matters might be prioritized and finally resolved, and considers the introduction an advance payment scheme in ahead of full redress (PDF format).FBGA Statement: 24th April 2018. FBGA believes it is possible to create an advance payments and compensation mechanism where it is appropriate and equitable to do so for both pre-1964 and post-1964 victims/survivors. Such payments would be made in advance of a completed determination of eligibility for a full redress scheme when specific criteria are met. This would take into account an individual's specific circumstances, including any life-threatening terminal illnesses or recognized critical illness of any kind and would include cases where an urgent redress recognition payment cannot be met by other currently available voluntary or statutory means mechanisms. FBGA continue to work constructively with our partners and the wider victims/survivor community on these important matters to seek equitable resolutions for all.
Social work professor 'should be sacked' for defending convicted child abusers, by Peter Swindon, the Sunday Herald, 04/03/2018 (PDF format). Html link here.
Mr Stuart Gale QC, representing the interests of David Whelan and the members of the FBGA at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, has prepared the following note, which explains in layman's terms the recent decision by Lady Smith, the Chair of The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, concerning the standard of proof to be used when determining the facts, 04/02/18 (PDF format).
Decision by Lady Smith, the Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, regarding standards of proof to be used when determining the facts, 25/01/18 (PDF format).Quarriers 'sorry' for removing headstones at children's home, BBC Scotland, 26/01/18. Nuns 'deeply sorry' for Smyllum orphanage abuse, by Chris Marshall, The Scotsman, 24/01/18.
Decision by Lady Smith, the Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, on the application by the BBC to film the evidence of two witnesses in the Daughters of Charity case study, 19/01/18 (PDF format).Smyllum resident wants church held responsible for abuse, BBC News, 23/01/18.
Letter from FBGA to the Isle of Man Law Society thanking them for their donation, 19/01/18 (PDF format).Dear all, just to let you know that we received a small donation from the Isle of Man Law Society to whom we would like to extend our sincere thanks. The donation will be used to fund our website updates this month. FBGA. Care home nun admits slapping children on the hand, BBC News, 17/01/18. Smyllum Park nun 'witnessed no cruelty' at orphanage, BBC News, 16/01/18. Former residents defend Smyllum Park orphanage at Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, BBC News, 12/01/18. A former resident of an orphanage at the centre of child abuse allegations has said the claims are "absolute rubbish". Another witness at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry said staff at Smyllum Park in Lanark "dedicated themselves" to the welfare of children. The Australian Royal Commission into institutional responses to Child Sexual Abuse final report, 15/12/17. If the link won't work please copy the following url, https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/final-report, into your browser.
Social Work Professor Mark Smith denies he is an "apologist" for child abusers, by Peter Swindon, the Sunday Herald, 26/11/2017 (PDF format). One campaign group, Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers (FBGA), which supports survivors of abuse has described Smith as "an apologist for child abusers". Html link here.
Concerns over Scots abuse mishandling probes as investigation into approach to victim's case 'stalls', by Martin Williams, the Glasgow Herald, 02/11/2017. Concerns have emerged that official investigations into historic child abuse cases in Scotland involving social workers are being kept on hold because of the Scottish child abuse inquiry (PDF format).
Chief social worker: Child abuse was underestimated, by Graham Grant, Scottish Daily Mail, 01/11/2017 (PDF format). Scotland's former top social worker yesterday admitted he "vastly underestimated" the scale of abuse in children's homes. Professor Angus Skinner, who was also chief social work adviser to the previous Scottish Executive, said he had failed to appreciate the "duplicitous cover-up" of abuse by "evil" molesters. Html link here.81-year-old ticking off his bucket list, BBC News, 23/10/17. Former resident of Quarriers Homes, Tommy Hagan, who alleges he was physically abused over many years in the care home, receives much needed support from Future Pathways and his local support agency to fulfill some childhood experiences he missed out on when in care. The Quarriers sweethearts reunited after 50 years who are overcoming their childhood abuse with Future Pathways, the Daily Record, 15/09/17.
How we are leaving our childhood hell behind with Future Pathways, the Daily Record, 18/09/17 (PDF format).
More than 400 in care child abuse victims apply to £13.5m Scottish Government fund, Stephen Naysmith, the Glasgow Herald, 14/09/17 (PDF format).Tommy's "journey to be heard" over care home abuse, BBC News, 13/09/17. After decades of being ignored Tommy Hagan is on a "journey to be heard" about the abuse he suffered in a care home from the age of three. Tommy, 81, has been speaking out about the shocking abuse he was subjected to for 13 years while in the care of Quarriers homes in Renfrewshire in the 1930s and 1940s. |
Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry /QAB/findings Quarriers Case Study No 3. January 7th 2020 (PDF format).
Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry Case Study No 6. September 2021 (PDF format).