There have been a number of individuals convicted of abusing children in care in Scotland from various organisations such as Quarriers Homes, Catholic Church institutions, Kerelaw, etc.
In 2002 David's abuser was convicted in the Scottish Criminal Courts and sentenced to 8 years. In 2003 David was asked to represent Quarriers victims in meeting with the organisation and regarding media requests. FBGA commenced campaigning for a Judicial Public Inquiry and other forms of redress, support and reparation.
David has been FBGA victims-survivors campaign group spokesperson since 2003; participated on Scottish Executive subgroup in 2005; and was a National Confidential Forum reference group & interview panel member 2013-2014. Interaction review group member in 2012-2015.
David was invited to work with a Scottish Executive subgroup in 2005 which included working with other survivors, other groups and Scottish officials to help initiate a Support Service for Victims-Survivors on institutional abuse. This resulted in the In Care Survivor Service of Scotland being set-up in Scotland.
A Pilot scheme was initiated by the Scottish Government in 2010 for former residents of Quarriers Homes which was a prelude to the National Confidential Forum which was "Time To Be Heard". David participated in TTBH and FBGA encouraged other former residents of Quarriers to participate in TTBH over 100 former Quarriers residents applied some with positive and some with negative experiences in care.
In relation to the National Confidential Forum, David participated with a cross section of others on a Reference group with resulted in the NCF being put into operation in 2015. FBGA gave oral and written evidence to the Health and Sports committee on this important project with regards our experience relating to TTBH. So as to improve the NCF experience for all victims-survivors. FBGA also assisted in formulating the guidance for organisations when dealing with former residents and survivors in an NCF subgroup 2014.
FBGA provided written and oral evidence to the Tom Shaw Review 2007, The Interaction and various Scottish Parliamentary committees such as the Petitions and Health and Sports Committees and submitted numerous policy papers over the years regarding the many elements contained within the Interaction Plan including in support of an Inquiry and other remedies in support of Scottish victims-survivors. The Interaction brought all the parties such as organisations, survivors and others directly affected together in a collective and shared process. Which resulted in the Interaction Plan.
There have also been Petitions submitted to the Scottish Parliament by Survivors (Chris Daly and Helen Holland) PE535 and PE1351-"Time For All to Be Heard".
"Rights of All" being upheld in any Inquiry. Right to a fair hearing is an absolute right. Right to privacy and reputation is a qualified right which can be limited in some circumstances – Limitations may be the prevention of crime, the protection of health and morals, the interests of public safety.
There have been flawed Inquiries into historical abuse namely in Canada-Novia Scotia-Kaufman report 2002. This Inquiry was so flawed that it discredited and maligned the reputations of decent employees who had no part in this abuse. It ended up also damaging genuine victims of abuse whose reputations were also discredited and maligned in this flawed Inquiry. See Searching For Justice: An Independent Review of Nova Scotia's Response to Reports of Institutional Abuse for more information.
In 2010 "No More Silence" was published and this details David's personal journey through the Scottish care system including the background to becoming involved in the Court Case in 2002.