Child abuse inquiry hears succession of apologies from organisations to survivors
Scotland’s national child abuse inquiry has heard a succession of apologies from organisations to survivors who say they were abused as youngsters in residential care.
Groups including Quarriers, Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, Sisters of Nazareth, De La Salle Brothers, the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and Crossreach, the social care arm of the Church of Scotland, were among those voicing regret for past cases of abuse or alleged abuse.
The apologies were offered in opening statements from a range of bodies as the public hearing phase of the far-reaching inquiry into historical allegations of the abuse of children in care in Scotland got under way.
It followed remarks from chairwoman Lady Smith who said the process will be “painful” for many, but necessary to achieve “real, substantial and lasting change”.
In their opening remarks, representatives of Quarriers and the Marist Brothers offered “unreserved” apologies to anyone who was abused in their care.
Canon Boyle, representing the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, told the hearing in Edinburgh that Archbishop Philip Tartaglia had offered a “profound” apology in 2015 to those harmed as a result of the actions of anyone within the Catholic Church.
“That apology stands and is reiterated again today,” Canon Boyle said.
He said there is “an overwhelming sense of shame that these abhorrent crimes have occurred in the context of the church”, a sense felt by all Catholics.
Laura Dunlop QC, representing Crossreach, said it was “inescapable” that the Church has provided a setting in which children have been abused in the past.
She said: “That is a matter of profound regret by all associated with the church’s social care organisation and indeed for all connected to the church in Scotland in any way.”
She added: “The Church… offers a heartfelt apology to all who have suffered in its care.”
Gregor Rolfe, representing the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, said it is “horrified” by allegations of abuse made by children formerly in its care and offered its “deepest sympathy and heartfelt apology” to any former resident who felt “let down” by those entrusted with their care.
Representing the Sisters of Nazareth, Alistair Dunlop QC told the hearing: “Suffice to say that where abuse has occurred, the sisters apologise unreservedly.”
The spokesman for the De La Salle Brothers, David Anderson, said nothing could be said to defend the mistreatment of children.
“Where a brother at any of these schools was responsible for the mistreatment of a child or young adult entrusted to the congregation’s care, the congregation offers an unreserved apology,” he said.
The hearing was also told that the Good Shepherd Sisters “deplore” that physical or sexual abuse could occur, while the Christian Brothers expressed their “continuing deep regret” serious sexual and physical abuse took place at St Ninian’s residential school in Falkland.
More than 60 residential institutions, including several top private schools, are being investigated by the inquiry.
Lady Smith began the public hearings by acknowledging that many children in Scotland have been abused in residential care over the years.
She said: “They suffered some terrible treatment inflicted by those to whom their care was entrusted. That is a matter of grave concern.
“It is critically important that our community engages in facing up to the fact that children in care were wronged and failed in the past and to commit to seeing to it that children of today and of the future are safe.
“It’s not easy to do that, for many it will be a painful process. But if we are to achieve real, substantial and lasting change for the better it has to be done.”
Lady Smith said the number of people who have spoken to the inquiry of having been abused in care is “very far in excess” of 200, a number previously mentioned in the media.
John Scott QC, representing In Care Abuse Survivors (INCAS), told the hearing those represented by the group have previously felt no-one will listen to them, that no-one is interested, and that they are of no value.
He said the inquiry has come too late for those who have already died, but added: “It is not too late for at least some acknowledgement and accountability, not too late for some compensation, not too late for other survivors to come forward.”
The inquiry has been taking statements from witnesses since last spring.
It covers the period within living memory of anyone who suffered such abuse, no later than December 17 2014.
The first phase of hearings is taking place at Rosebery House in Edinburgh and is expected to last about seven weeks.
The inquiry continues.
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